ORANGES AND LEMONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 54, 28 November 1918, Page 6

ORANGES AND LEMONS

ARRANGEMENTS FOR DISTRIBUTION.

The Minister of Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) stated yesterday that he had had' a conference with his colleague the Hon. A. M. Myers, and as a result committees have been set up_ at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurcli, and Dunedin for the purpose of ensuring a fair distribution of such oranges and lemons as may be secured by the Government for sufferers from influenza. The Police Department have been aslted to instruct their officers to hand over such supplies (if any) that have been commandeered by them, and have not yet been distributed to committees' that have been set up, and similar action will be taken as regards such further parcels as may be commandeered by the police, after which the Munitions Department will take action as regards obtaining supplies of fruit. The local committees, having decided on the requirements of their districts, and having distributed the local supply to the best advantage, notify the headquarters committee. This enables the Munitions Department to arrange for supplies where there is. a shortage, and for the Director of Transport to arrange for a surplus of fruit in one district being supplied to another. The health authorities, therefore, ask that all requests from local relief committees, etc., for oranges and lemons should be submitted to the Director of Supplies and Transport or to hiti local representative. There is an absolute dearth of citrus fruits at Christchurcli and a shortage of oranges and lemons at Dunedin. In this connection the Overseas Shipowners' Committee cabled their Sydney representative on Tuesday, stating that they were prepared to sanction two hundred cases of oranges being brought over from Sydney to Auckland on the Arawa freight free, without responsibility. This action has been much appreciated, and the New.Zealand Government agent at Sydney has been given instructions to secure the fruit accordingly. WORK OF THFHARBOUR BOARD Tho chairman of the Harbour Board (Mr; C. E. Daniell) recorded at last evening's meeting that tho entire organisation of the board lind been placed at the disposal of the Public Health Department. He referred to the work of Captain A. H. Monro, who has, with a staff of eight men, cleaned up the wharves and the ships, and a tribute was paid to his enthusiasm and energy. One of tho features was the establishment of the inhalation-chamber, which had been visited by no fewer than 48,159' persons up till 5 o'clock last ovening. The chairman also acknowledged the wisdom Mr. H. E. Nicholls had shown right through the trouble, and the firm fjrip ho had kept on the whole organisation. He also detailed what had been done ill connection with the establishment of the clearing-house (near the foot of the Ferry Wharf), and the fitting up of the hospital in the Missions to Seamen, then. When tlioy were convalescent the pationts wero sent to St. Anne's Schoolroom. The hoard's efforts were made under tho Health Department, and at its expense. On the mojicc of Mr. W. Wallis, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Captain Monro and other responsible officers of the board in connection with tho work done during - • the epidemic. Tho motion was seconded by Mr. R. 'A. WrigTit, who said that everything had apparently worked smoothly, and lie thought tho whole of the board's employees deserved tho greatest praise. For the children who have been bereft bv Hie eiud"»ii<>. Hint?]'' 1 '! is needed for clothes of all kinds. The stud's most urgently needed by the ladies who are looking -after this denartment are dark prints, flannel, flannelette, and material for boys' shirts and pants. Donations of such material will be thankfully received bv Mrs. Brice, who is located for the lime, being in the City Council Chamber at. the Town Hall. There is still the liveliest demand for citrus fruit, not only in Wellington, but in country towns, and which have been practically starved as far as oranges and lemons are concerned. Yesterday the Mayor received telegraphic advice that sixteen eases of lemons had been consigned to him from Gisborne. The oranges which arrived from' Auckland by yesterday's express were commandeered by flie Health Department, and consequently did not reach the Town Hull, the distribu'imr centre, as anticipated. In Hawern an organisation has been formed to help the farmers. Many calls for assistance in milking, wero met, and tho important dairying industry has been kept going i\s well as the circumstances permit. The farmers themselves had as far as possible trtj assist in factories. Tn tho case of (lie .101 l Company. f>s out of GO employee? have, been attacked by the disease. Tho Northland district reports a donation of .£2 2s. by Messrs. Ellis and Manton towards the fund of the Vigilance Committee. Under the eye of Dr. Fylfe and the district nurse the patients are receiving every attention and arc progressing favourably.