EPIDEMIC COMMISSION

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 50, 1 March 1919, Page 3

EPIDEMIC COMMISSION

FURTHER EVIDENCE AT AUCKLAND.

(*I IRLEORA»B.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

AUCKLAND, 28th February.

At tlie Epidemic Commission to-day, Dr. Mackellar said there was a great number of women in the community who, though they had no desire to become trained nurses, yet had a great natural aptitude for tending the sick, therefore it would be of great benefit to the community if women of this type could receive limited but practical training in home nursing. An arrangement might be possible by which a certain number of those willing to learn home nursing in a practical way could be ol,lowed to attend a hospital for a certain number o£ hours and learn the elements of nursing under the supervision of experienced sisters.

Major W. H. Pettit, N.Z.M.G., said he took charge of the quarantine station at Motuihi on 7th December. The island was capable of accommodating 110 to 120 patients, and, under" supervision, the water supply would be sufficient for this number for the quarantine period. On the whole, his opinion was that the buildings at present on the island were suitable for quarantine; purposes. The landing place for patients was not as convenient as it might be, particularly if the weather were at all rough.

David MC. Gillies, superintending engineer of the Union Steam Ship Company, Auckland, gave evidence in reference to the quarters of the firemen on the Niagara. He said the area of all the crews' quarters was governed by the Shipping and Seamen Act. The quarters on the Niagara included five living rooms allocated to the firemen exclusively, not including rooms for washing in and lavatories. There was included also one mess room. This was equal to a total of 901 square feet of floor space, and 8172 cubic feet of air space. The total worked out for 26 men at an average of 34.6 square feet of floor space and 340 cubic feet of air space per man. Reducing the provisions of the Act into simple figures the average could be taken out at 15 square feet of floor space per man, and 120 cubic feet of air space per man, so that the space laid down by the Act was "considerably below that allowed on -the Niagara. These quarters were on the main deck, and the stewards' quarters were immediately above this deck. The ventilation, he said, was absolutely the last, thing in marine architecture.