ON THE WATERFRONT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 37, 7 November 1918, Page 6

ON THE WATERFRONT

MORE VESSELS AFFECTED. Over twenty-four fresh cases of influenza were reported on the waterfront yesterday. The men affected are mostly nremen and seamen, and of these several were admitted to the Hospital, while the majority went to their homes. Tho spread of the disease is ecrioudly hampering shipping. The crew of the Maori is the latest to be concerned. Yesterday six of the steamer's men came ashore ill, aud one was sent to tho Hospital, Several of the Mcuowai's crew are still laid up, and are being attended by a nurse on t'he vessel. The engineer nnd the mate of tho Kaliu were .removed to the Hospital yesterday. A fireman on tho Queen of the South was taken to the Hospital yesterday, and the men engaged in loading the vessel immediately stopped work. The steamer may sail for Voxton to-day with the cargo already loaded. Work on another vessel was stopped yesterday on account of a case of influenza occurring on board.

The Dominion Disputes Committee, the members of which are now in Wellington, will to-day discuss the position of the waterside workers in regard to unloading steamers on which iullucnzn has appeared.' rio far, live steamers have been delayed through 111 is cause. The 'Union Company's steamer Moana, which had sufferers from influenza on board when elie arrived it Wellington early in September, from San Francisco, arrived at Wellington again yesterday. Captain Barlow reported that there was no illness on board this trip among either the passengers or crew. Tlio Union Company's Kaituua is e t i 11 delayed at Westport by the action of

tho wharf workers in refusing to unload her. The whole crew of the Pnloona lias been paid off, but most of the llonott'iti's men are standing by. Jtr. James Moore, of the ALissiojis to Seamen, appeals to tho public to subscribe eggs and other delicacies for the Members of ships' crews attacked by influenza. The goods may either lie left at tho Institute, Whitmore Street, or will bo called for. In Auckland shipping circles the epidemic has caused a good deal of trouble. Nearly every vessel in port has patients on board (says tho "Herald").' At '.east GO employecs'of tho Northern Stcnrceliip Company have gone oil duty. Grpnt difficulty has Ixien experienced in fimlin? sufficient officers, seamen, and firemen for other vessels. The Devon port Ferry Company had 2-1 members of its staff off duty on Monday. It was compelled to lay iip three steamera. Very few vessels other tban local craft aru in pigt, and consequently not many waterside workers are being employed, so that it is impossible to ascertain the number who are laid up. At least r io members of this Harbour Board's staff are absent from duty.

LATEST REPORT FROM AUCKLAND DISEASE STILL SPREADING. By Telecraph.— Prees Association. Auckland, November 6. There are two hundred, cases of influenzn in the hospital. Only, the more serious cases are being admitted. Eighty nurses are down, also four doctors. The total deaths from influenza during the four weeks ended yesterday were 52. Probably others have not yet been registered. There is' still a great dearth of nurses in the city, and the organisation is unable to provide the necessary assistance in stricken homes. To-day (iOO applications for help were received, against 420 yesterday. Thirteen additional workers offered their services to-day to the city organisation, making a total of 41. "This number is still far below requirements," said Miss Bagley, at the central depot, "and I could place another 40. It is most distressing that so many in the community have failed to rise to the occasion. Every ,ddy brings new and urgent calls, but not new workers, so that where assistance was sought to-day we are compelled to withhold it iintU to-morrow. It is a deplorable thing that requests for food are received all day long, and two troops of Boy Scouts are busy distributing it to needy cases from the depot." A total of 1130 people passed through one inhalation room to-day. :

The Board of Education passerl a motion regarding with grave concern the seriousness of the epidemic, and recommending that secondary schools as well as primary schools, theatres, picture shows, churches, and other public meet-ins-places should be closed. Tho Mayor is making representations to the health authorities on the question of forbidding all public assemblages. The Catholic Chnvch has placed_ at the disposal of the hospital the Vermont Street Girls' School, which .is capable of accommodation 100 patients, together with a complete, nursing staff. A number of vessels of the mosquito fleet are hung up. The criminal sessions of the Supreme Court have been postponed for a month. action takenlFchristchurch By TclegraDh—Press Association. Christchurch, November 6. Full measures are being taken to minimise the risk of the influenza epidemic spreading to Christchurch. As the result of a conference with the District Health "Officer, the Mayor ha.s instructed the city inspectors to make a thorough inspection of all right-of-ways and back premises where garbage is likely to accumulate. All garbage must be removed within six hours. If that is not done the removal and destruction of the material will be taken in hand fty the City Council, and the cost will be charged against the persons responsible. The police authorities have been asked rigorously to enforce the by-law against spitting on footpaths. The Mayor asks the co-operation of citizens to prevent the epidemic starting in the city.