THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Evening Star, Issue 16909, 5 December 1918, Page 2

THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

THE POSITION AT AUCKLAISD. [Psa United Pekss Association.] AUCKLAND, December 4. Tho position lias so far improved that the city and suburban hotels wore reopened to-day. Tho embargo has also been lifted from theatres, billiard rooms, churches, meetings, and auctions. The only restrictions remaining relate to race meetings, showe, exhibitions, and school examinations. The burials during November at Waikumete totalled 498 and at Waikaraka at least 250. The Deputy Chief Health Officer- (Dx Frengley), who has been in Auckland since November 3, has been instructed to proceed to Wellington to-morrow. The Mayor and, chairman of the Hospital Board jointly telegraphed a protest on the ground that, 'though tho epidemic conditions have largely improved, the position still jjalls for" the greatest vigilance and continued care on the part of the health and other i authorities. In these circumstances, and j having regard to tho condition of overseas | ships arriving in Auckland to-day, his retention is strongly urged. Failiiur the retention of Dr I'Vengley and satisfactory assurances as to the future, a public meeting of citizens will be called immediately. RECfUHREfN'CE AT NAPIER. NAPIER, December 4. A fresh outbreak occurred in the lower part of tho town to-day, despite fine eunr.y weather. The hotels in Napier and Hastings were opened to-day before fumigation and cleaning. The Mayors of NapTer and Hastings protested to the Minister by urgent telepram, and tho hotels were- closed again indefinitely late in the afternoon. WELLINGTON PRACTICALLY CLEAR. WELLINGTON, December 4. To-day the reports were very reassuring, showing" that the conditions are rapidly returning to normal. The omergency Iwpiial at St. John's Schoolroom was evacuated to-day, and the number of vacant beds in the other tempo ran- hospitals is rapidly increasing. Business at Petcne and Lower Ilutt is reported to be practically back to normal, and arrangements have been made to close the emergency hospital at Lower Hutt. The Wellington Education Board to-day decided to xeopen the schools on February 4. Tho correspondence disclosed that the department had disapproved of the board's previous announcement that the reopening would not be tall February, and suggested January 21 as a more appropriate date ; but members of the board expressed the opinion that the teachers had worked so hard during the epidemic that they would recmire an extended holiday to recuperate. The board also passed a resolution expressing warm appreciation of the admirable service rendered by the_ members of their staff during the epidemic.

IMPROVEMENT IN SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL. December 5. During the pust week the position in regard to influenza in Southland has shown a marked improvement, although a few country districts which previously escaped nn scathed are now being visited. The tramway eervicj is becoming normal. Out of 152 inmates there have been 146 patients in the reformatory, wliero there have been two deaths. Most of the others have recovered. Up till to-day the health authorities had been advised of 165 deaths. SCHOOL AND OTHER EXAMINATION B. WELLINGTON, December 4. The Health Department has forbidden school examinations before Christmas. The junior national scholarship examinations will be held on February 20 and 21. The Education Department points out that nearly all the candidates will be eligible for junior free places, and mav begin their secondary course at tho high school s !, etc. Candidates who cannot proceed to secondary education without scholarships will have to wait for the result of the examinations about the end of March, or make the best arrangements possible for attending school during February and March. Arrangements will lie made with the tecondary school authorities to provide for scholarship candidates not entering on peconda.ry work till after the scholarship examination. SYDNEY QUARANTINE STATION. THIRTY-FIVE DEATHS. SYDNEY, De-ember 4. Deaths in the quarantine station continue, and now total 35. The Atua's patients are convalescent, but two Manuka cases remain. Over a thousand persons aro quarantined. OUTBREAK ON THE MEDIC. SYDNEY", December 4. Dr Arthur, M.L.A., publishes a letter concerning the outbreak on the Medic, alleging that, although warned that influenza was rampant in Wellington, officers were allowed ashore. The dav after leaving Wellington three of the oflicers were stricken down. The d"sea«e quirkly spread throughout the ship, until 100 cases were down. CASES AT MELBOURNE HOSPITAL. MELBOURNE, December 4. The superintendent of tho Melbourne Hospital reports that during the past fortnight several typical pneumonia-influenza cases occurred, three of which died. Precav.tions have been taken to prevent the spread of the disease. MORTALITY AMONGST SHIP'S CREW. ROME, December 3. A Home steamer has arrived at Genoa from a South African port. Influenza started after leaving Montevideo, and out of a total of 176 of a crow 150 died. INDIA'S TERRIBLE DEIATH ROLL. BOMBAY, December 2. The ravages of influenza in India are terrible Eight hundred are dying daily in Delhi; there have been 15,000 deaths in Bombay and 250.000 in the Punjab; and if the death rate is proportionally heavy throughout India it means a death roll of 3,0C0,0CQ.