EPIDEMIC FIGHTERS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 139, 9 December 1918, Page 10

EPIDEMIC FIGHTERS

CAMPAIGN BROUGHT TO A CLOSE NOETH DISTRICT WOEKEES. A SOCIAL EVENING. A very pleasant social gathering was held in tbo St. Andrew's Schoolroom on Saturday evening ita a wind-up to the work dono by members of the Wellington North division of.epidemic fighters. The Kov. S. Robertson Orr presided, and among those present were the Minister for Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell), the Mayor (Mr. J. P Luko, C.M.G., U.V.), and the Mayoress. In. outlining the work done by tho group, the EcV. Mr Orr, who had acted as officev-in-charge, stated that early in the month of November, after tlio first death from influenza had occurred, he had interviewed Mr. Luke, whose response showed that he was early alive to the interests of the people and tho need for organisation. Tho Mayor had replied that he had already made representations to the Public Health Department. The Department moved, but moved rather slowly. The committee for Wellington North organised their workers, and by the time the epidemic was at its height the organisation was running smoothly. Records kept, from the third day from the outbreak to the end, showed that nearly 2000 appeals had beon answered, but of those, from four to five hundred were merely appeals for food. One hundred and fourteen cases, two of which proved fatal, were attended in Boulcott-fitreet, in Tinakori-road there were 131 cases (four deaths), in Thorndon-quay 109 cases (three deaths), Wellington-terrace 79 cases (four deaths), Lambton-quay 49 cases (five deaths), and Moles worth-street 69 cases (three deaths). These districts were largely boardinghouse areas, and people often lived under unnatural and uncomfortable conditions. Two or three young people might sleep in one room, and in some cases also cooked their food in the same room. Houses in the areas worked, moreover,' were in many cases too closely crowded together and insanitary. There was no need to draw conclusions, said Mr. Orr; they were obvious.

Referring to the question of cheaper travelling fares, to induce people to live in the suburbs, Mr. Orr said that he was of the opinion that the Government should be approached in regard to cheaper railway travelling, and he also suggested the adoption of a universal tramway fare of twopence, irrespective of the distance travelled. Speaking of the group organisation, Mr. Orr said that 225 helpers had been enrolled, and there were departments to meet every branch of the work, medicine, kitchens, disinfecting, inhalation chambers, telephones, and two successfully managed hospitals. It was impossible to thank individuals, but thanks were due to one and all. The donations I received amounted to £289 4s, and with money received for food and medicine, totalled £319 Bs, and £150 had been received from the Mayor's fund. They had £191 in the bank, and £31 13s 9d cash in hand, and bills to the amount of £246 lie 3d had been paid. This left £222 16b in hand, and there were debts amounting to £939 3s Ad. This teemed a great deaj, but it was only an average •of 10s per case, which was not a great deal. It was the prayer of all that. New Zealand would never again be visited by another such epidemic leaving behind it a terrible and sad memory. The Hon. G. W. Russell, who was received with enthusiastic applause, extended thanks to all those who had worked to combat the epidemic. They had worked with an endurance that reflected the heroism of the men of New Zealand on the battlefield. (Further re- | marks by the Minister are published in another part of this issue-.) i XHEIR FIRST "NIGHT OFF." ; The Mayor said that for the first time in three weeks he and Mrs. Luke had a free night. When the epidemic broke out in Auckland he had accompanied the Chairman of the Wellington Hospital and Charitable Aid Board in an interview with officers of the Public Health Department. It was found that the machinery was complicated, and that the responsibility would be a triple one. He was instructed to attend to the city works, the Hospital Board was to look aiter the epidemic work, and: the Health Department was to control the supreme work. It was noteworthy, said Mr. Luke, that the disease had not been peculiar to any part of the city, but that all districts and areas had been affected. As Mayor he wished to sincerely thank all who had worked so hard and willingly, and suggested that all helpers should inscribe their names in an album which would be placed in a public building for all time. A public function would later bo held to mark the city's appreciation of all those who gave their assistance. At the conclusion of the Mayor's address three cheers were enthusiastically accorded the Hon. G. .W. EusseJl, the Mayor, and the Mayoress. A short and pleasant musical progra.mme, to which items were contributed by Mrs. Wycherley, Misses E. Smith, and E. Churchill, and Messrs. JI. Gilmour and Theo. Hill, was then given, and the evening was brought to a close by the serving of supper provided by lady helpers and members of the Church Committee.