VACCINATION AT CHRISTCHURCH.

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 3784, 10 May 1919, Page 4

VACCINATION AT CHRISTCHURCH.

(Per Press Association.) Chriutchurcli, iUtty 8

Tho public response- to tho offer of tho authorities at tho Cliristchurch Hospital to vaccinate against iuflueima at a small charge, or if necessary, free, has been so disappointing that tho schomo to relievo a member of tho medical staff from all othor dutio* for foxir hours a day will be discontinued at the end of the weok.

Mr 'Warton, secretary of the Hospital JJoaid stated to-day that tho result of tho experiment, was disappointing, simply because, the public would not tako advantage of tho authorities' scheme. In the Old Country vaccination had staved off tho general attacks of influema, and he was convinced that it would do *o here if the public were, awake to tho necessity for precautions. REV DEW OF THE POSITION. I Wellington, May 8. During the four days, May 1 to 4, 39 cases of influenza were notified in the Dominion: Aucklmul. district 8 cases, all mild; Wellington 13 oases, including one pneumonic at New Plymonth and one at Eltham; Canterbury 18 cases, including four pneuJmonic in Cliristchurch and suburbs, and three severe cases iiTTimani and Paroora districts. Thero were no notifications in Otago. Thore have been three deaths from influenza rocently, one at Pahiatun on April 27, and one at Marton and one at Spreydon, both on May 1. To-day tho temperature of each man on tho Manuka was taken and a pronouncement in each case was normal. Over 20 contacts are to rejoin tho Manuka to-morrow.

There are at present 9 cases in hospital on Somes Island, thrco or four very severe, and there aro 5 convalescents. Thero is now a complete staff on the Island, including three, nurses and orderlies, and everything possible is being done- for the patients. Tho steamer Koinata has not been placed in quarantine, as tho man from this vessel was sent to hospital, and after his removal the ship was fumigated. She will now be allowed to proceed on her journey.

THE OUTBREAK AT SAMOA. ROYAL COMMISSION APPOINTED Wellington, May 9. A Royal Commission has been aeppointed by the Government of New Zealand to enquiro into tho causes of the outbreafl of pneumonic influenza in Samoa last year. The Chairman of the Commission is to be Mr George Elliott, e of Auckland, and the other members Messrs Thomas" Wilson and Willliam Harold iSofton Moorhousc. They are to inquire into tho following questions: (1) Tho circumstances and causes of tho introduction of pneumonic influenza into tho islands of Western Samoa in or about the month of November, 1918, and of its extension in those islands. (2) All matters connected with the departure of the steamship Talune from the port of Auckland on or about October SO, 1918, her voyage to the: said islands, and her arrival there, in respect of the bearing of those matters on tho introduction of tinsaid epidemic. (3; Whether the introduction or extension of tho sfln 7 epidemic was caused by any negli gence or default on the part of any persons in tho service of tho Crown, whether in respect of tho Executive Council of New Zealand or in respeci of the administration of the said Islands of Western Samoa. Mr R. G. Thompson, of tho Hansard staff, has been appointed secretary of the Commission.