EPIDEMIC COMMISSION

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 74, 29 March 1919, Page 9

EPIDEMIC COMMISSION

CHRISTCHURCH SITTINGS CON-

CLUDED. (BT TELEGRAPH.--PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

CHRISTCHURCH, 28th March. The Epidemic Commission has concluded its Christchurch sittings. It devoted the afternoon to paying a visit of inspection to Quail Island quarantine station, i.

In the morning Leslie Hardie, recalled, spoke of influences which crept in at the back of the health officer. He mentioned certain old conveniences at Normal School that were condemned by the local health officer, but were allowed to remain by the deputy chief of the Department in Wellington, who was approached by the Education Board. Eventually, tho conveniences were removed, and hew ones were erected after action had been taken by the local authority. He was of opinion that some system of artificial ventilation was necessary in all public buildings.

Frank George, a member of the Riccarton Borough Council, said that the council was of opinion that the inaction of the authorities so far as Auckland district was concerned was greatly responsible for the spread of the disease. The _ Minister of Public Mealth, it was considered, in spite of warnings he had received, had not treated the arrival of the Niagara in such a way as to en- on the right side, but had erred on tlie wrong side. Immediately .afterwards there bad been a big rush of visitors to Christchurch from the North Island, and thus the disease had been spread all over the South Island.

The Commission goes to Dunedin tomorrow.