INFLUENZA

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1918, Page 3

INFLUENZA

POSITION' STILL I.MTWOYIXIi. ST. COLUMUA AND TECHNICAL HOSPITALS TO HE CLOSED. W§ The authorities now report that \ danger ot the epidemic has just about passed. No new cases are reported. The hospital bulletin is most hopeful. ' There is still one dangerous t . ease in' the hospital, and mest of the |' seriously ill , have improved. It is *\ expected that early next week the St. Cbiujnbu and Technical School Hospitals will close as the main hospital j will. be able to cope with all the cases. The town is now normal, and all businesses have again settled down. Kunanga .-reports an -almost clean sheet. YESTERDAY'S HOSPITAL BULLETIN. At 1.30 o'clock yesterday the Medical Superintendent' issued the following bulletin:— DANGEROUSLY ILL. Miss Mc-Dongall. V ' SERIOUSLT ILL. Mrs Downes. Excell (but improved). Tate ibut improved). Mrs Ryan (but improved). Mrs Pierson. Mrs E. o' Sullivan. NOT SO WELL. Mrs Vincent. IMPROVED. Michel. , Furness, R>. Donaldson. O'Brien. All those whose names have appeared in previous bulletins but do not appear in the above, are well. EPIDEMIC FUND. THE MAYOR'S LIST. His Worship the 'Mayor (J. -U. Lynch, Esq.), acknowledges the following sums: —

PUBLIC MEETING. RESOLUTION PASSED. The public meeting called by His Worship the Mayor (J. D. Lynch. Esq) for the -purpose of considering the advisability of requesting the Govern-: ment, before the. closing of Parliament, to adequately provide for the dependants of those who have lost their livos through the influenza epidemic, wns held at the Town Hall last evening. _ j In 'opening the meeting the Mayor stated that his reason for calling it, t-jjjrpa because the mntter was of such ~£Feat necessity, in fact, so great, that it was a national question, nnd a >>i<r effort should be made to force the hand of thp Government before this season of Parliament concluded. Rev. J. Rogers, said it seemed to him that the public of Greymouth we rp extremely apathetic, or they would have been present in greater numbers. However, he would like to hear a discussion on the question. Mr Gilbert was in favour of adjonrn- - ma: this meeting for a week. Then they would have the sub-committee's report. Rev. J. Rogers wss of the opinion that a resolution should be passed immediately. It was most urgent to do so before Parliament riaes. 'I(h€^ could leave any other matters over. Mr W. Parfitt! said they should move that night, and he was going to move a resolution as they did not < know when Parliament would dissolve. The public should put all their efforts and time into assisting the Mayor in this good and urgent work. He moved: "That this meeting of Citizens of Greymouth urges Parliament to put a Bill through to meet the wants of sufferers caused {through the 4k'PldAmic, ,and to re-» Ijieve distress of the dependants who have; suffered so greatly and that the Government be asked to legislate immediately." . In speaking to the resolution he said many thousands of pounds had been sent out of the Dominion at different times to relieve distress caused through calamities in other parts of the world, and he thought it was only fair that the Government should meet these sufferers immediately. Rev. J. Rogers seconded the resolution with great pleasure. Mr F. Turley. stated that he did not think the motion went quite far enough. He. dealt at some length with the question of Pensions by Riejhk and he moved an amendment as follows: "That th^s meeting of citizens' requests the Mayor to wire to t!ie Government, and the Member for the District, calling upon the Government to provide adequate pensions for all those who have lost their bread-win-ners through the influenza epidemic, such pensions, to be by right and on the same scale as the soldiers dependents pensions; this" scheme to be brought into operation by Act of Parliament, and befpre the leaders enter on tTieir journey to the Peace Conference ; and, further, calling on the Government to place a sum of money at the disposal of the Health Authorities to alleviate the distress that has fallen o n other families through the epidemic and in addition the Press Association be asked to wire out the resolution, asking all other local bodies in New Zealand to demand that Pension by RTght Be established at once." Mr Wachler - seconded the amendment. Mr West supported the amendment, on the grounds that he did not think that Mr PaHitt's motion went far enough. It was all very fine to speak of the apathy of the citizens of Greymouth, but what about the Government. He continued at some length, and stated that the resoluion was only A asking for assistance for dependants, while the amendment supported a pension for all time. Mr Gilbert was of the opinion that if the motion did not go far enough, and neither did the amendment. A general discussion followed. T*lle Mayor stated that all their efforts should that night be in the one channel. Mr Gilbert was of the opinion that Mr Parfitt's motion was as much as thev-' would get this session. Mr Parfitt stated that hey were all here for the one ohject, — to alleviate fjistaess— and with the consent of his

seconder he Avould withdraw the resolution. — - R^y. J. Rogers coi«ented. -\iV Turleys amendment was then earned unanimously. The Mayor stated thsit be vould have the resblution wired first thing in me morning. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated proceedings. WHAT MINISTERS SAY. A 'CERTAIN SUM" DECIDED O*. WELLINGTON, December o. On the House, Hon. G. W. Russell said until the, Government know Avhat the jecent epidemic- was going to cost it Avas impossible for the Government to formulate a. scheme of subsidies on local" eXpendittire. TJoav ernment, however, w'outd carry out 1t.% contract and pay all the- expenses of emergency hospitals, etc., but would not relieve^ Hospital Boards or any of t}ieir "responsibility. Supplementary of these statements, Sir Joseph Ward said; it had been decided to.^provide a "certain sum" for relief' 1 in connection with the epidemic but it Was inipossT&Te to say at the moment, what that sum would be. IN OTHER PLACES. DEATH AT REEFTON. REEFTON, December 5. Mr Andrew Hardie, lkamatua, died this morning in the Reef ton Hospital of influenza. He was admitted on .. Saturday last. PriA-ate intermenttook place xh'is afternoon." This is the first death: from intiuenSa iv the district. Deceased lived at lkamatua tor ma n y years and carried on business as a store, keeper: He lately actea a^ railway employee at the lkamatua station. He was aged 45 and a native of Wigan ,England. He leaves a ; wife and family. At .the present time his wife and youngest child are also suffering from influenza. Two" patients were admitted yesterday to the" Racecourse Hospital. At Waiuta matters are progressing most favourably. No fresh cases have been reported for several days. 150 CASES AT DENNISTON. CHRISTCHURCH, December 5. Dr Chesson' stated, in an interview, that he had received a telegram from Westpoft to the effect that there were about 150 cases at Denniston and j Burnett's' Face. Tlie breaking out of a number of cases like this showed that tlie epidemic was not entirely ! finished with, and they coiW not i vet afford to take risks. A BAD OUTBREAK. ■' AT BURNETT'S FACE. WESJPORT, Deca|ber 5. To-day Burnett's Face, dX of the Wegtport Coal Coy's mining centres, has sent in a bad report as to inn,** enza. Over sixty are down tttere with inttuenza, some being in a serious state. j. j l'arr's Hall has been commandeered, also a hotel there. JSedding is being sent out from West-port in the morning, and an etfert is being made to secure' two qualified nurses to take over control of th« nursing arrangeinent3. . IMPECVEMENT AT WESTPORT. CASES FROM SEDDONVILLE. WESTPORT, December 5. I n Westport tlie epidemic conditions have steadily improved. - ( Two patients frofe Seddonville were j admitted to the Westport Hospital today^ CAMPS HEAVY DEATH ROLL. WELLINGTON, December 5. The total deaths in the camps m November were 229. At iVenthani there were 70 and at Featherstbri 159. The influenza epidemic was responsible for 229 of thenx. AUCKLAND'S NOVESfBER. MORTALITY. OVER ONE THOUSAND. AUCKLANND, December 5. The burials in the city and suburbs during November, have totalled 1081. Compared witli the ordinary montlily uverage <Jf 'under 100 deaths', this leaves nearly' 1000 of a margin. DR FRENGEEY REMAINS AT • AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, December 5. The Citizens*" 'Committee today preseuted Dr Freagley with an address, expressing "their sense of the admirable manner w. which h« nan diseharge'd. iW 'du'tijes of a responsible officer while' in Auckland. Just prior to the meeting, 'an intimation;,.waa received that Dr Frengley is to remain Here. 4 ' THfi MAKURA. ' WHARFIES REFUSE TO COAL HER. TILL SHE IS DECLARED CLEAN, j PREMIER'S ACTION OPPOSED.- ! AUCKLAND, J^ecember 5. After a call was made this morning for waterside workers to coal the quarantined, Makura at Motuihi, and when men Bad been sent to liandie stores, a. si:op-werk' "meeting was held. Seven hundred workers were present. The meeting passed a resolution protesting against the action* ot Trem? ier, in suggesting, or in consenting to, the ooalihg of the vessel during the time she is in quarantine, on the ground that the return of the men from Motuihi, without their subsequent isolation would probably lead to the re-introduction of the scourge into the city. The meeting resolved not to work the Makura until she is declared a clean ship, and is berthed alongside the wharf, and until satisfactory terms, conditions, and a" period of isolation are arranged for. It was also decided to hold to the men* former resolution to rense work nt 6 p:m. till Axicklan^js declared a I clean city. v X j When th« rafl was ntfi^p for con? workers, only four w.ere offering. MAKURA'S CASES. WELLINGTON, December o. There were : sixteen more cases or influenza on the Makura, making the i total twenty-nine, including brie pas's--1 enger. There Avere only four acute cases. Twenty-six hfrve been removed to isolation quarters on Motuihi Island. Three more will be landed today. The Union Company decided to discharge all cargo before the Makura leaves for Sydney. The Post, Office is appeniing to the Federal Premier to get the Makura despatched to Sydney without further 1 delay. ...-.• '

MORE CASES' ON ifAKURA.." '. AUCKLAND, December 5 Three more cases Avere reported today on the quarantined steamer I -Makuru, one being a passenger and | I the other a stewardess and the Seventh. Engineer. ATTIT.rDE.~OF MAKURA ' PASSENGERS. AUCKLAND, December 5 On the IMakura, a ineeing of the second and third class passengers curried the name resolution as passed bj; the saloon, passengers in favour of those aboard being placed ashore in healthier conditions. MAKURA. PRESS DELtG'A"'!^ ANSWERED. NOTICE GIVEN AND PRECAU- " TIONS' TAKEN. WAR PRISONERS TO BE CONSIDERED. PASSETCGERS SOON TO BE LANDED. AUCKLAND. December 5 The complaints made by the Press , Delegation regarding the Makura av ere referred to the Health' authori- | ties here. ; Regarding the statement that no , : official intimation was given of the intention to place the passengers under quaiaiitne, it was stated that before ; the officers of the Department left the | ship on Sunday, they informed the captain that the vessel Avas to be quarantined : until further notice. Fumigation apparatus Avas left on f board on Sunday, and the medical 3 officer of the ship was advised that the passengers and crew should be ] treated by inhalation. \ The Union Co. were asked to provide inhalation nozzles, and these < Avere sent doWu last Monday. Avith instructions as to.' their use. Having regard to the fact that the ship J s doctor had taken temperatures and pulse readings prior to the Makura reaching Auckland, the authorities state that it Avas not necessary Ito examine th c patients individually. The shp 's doctor had acquainted the Department's officers with the state of health of those on board. Dr. T.- J. Hughes, the District Health Officer, ' visited the ship on Tuesday and again yesterday. In regard to the non-removal or passengers, the authorities state that there are prisoners of war -to consider. These had first to be removed. \s soon as building* can be P«>P«" ly equipped the passengers will be anded as promptly as possible. ANOTHER SHIP" QUARANTINED. AUCKLAND, December 5. The steamer Southern Cross, though she has no influenza', has one native boy who has a temperature, and the vesmel is detained here, pending developments. ARAWA PASSENGERS LAND. AUCKLAND, December o. The Arawa, recently arrived from Australia, has been declared a clean ship The New Zealand passengers have landed. The other passengers and crew remain on board. INCREASING IN FIJI. j AUCKLAND, O«cember 5. 1 Suva cable states tfaaE the ™*™™* in Suva is increasing. '1 he deaths in Suva were 250 natives and nve JuiroPG The relief ship for Tonga returned, broken down. The mission steamer Southern Cross has arrived AVitii influenza ou board. POSITION AT MASTERTON. MASTERTON, December 5.^ Since the influenza outbreak. 62 deaths have occurred. The epidemic is hoav abating. The relief fund is now up to £2oUO. WELLINGTON'S REPORT. RAPID ABATEMENT IN COUNTRY DISTRICTS. " WELLINGTON, December . The influenza deaths. in Wellington Hospital for the twenty-four hours ended at noon yesterday totalled three. Two hospitals have been closed. "'Tele-grams- 1 from tne coUntr y dIS " tricis' indicated" a rapid abatement of the epidemic. Doctors and. nurses will be removed to more- infected^areas lor work', especially Wong the iSTaoris. Camp reports show a rapid decrease among the soldiers, only 144 remaining in the? hospitals at Feafherstoh.' Trenthairi and Awapuni. WELLINGTON NEAIILY FB.EE. WELLINGTOIS 1 , December. 5.' One indication that ihe epidemic is nearly over is that the city tramway system is Quite normal. The traffic majiager states practically the whole staff "have returned to work. Another gratifying feature is that t.he'.rfunlber of passengers being carried i's also normal. WORK ON WELLINGTON WHARVES. WELLLWJuON, December 5. , The Waterside Workers' Ciuou here have decided to' resume night work as soon .as./ the" suburban trains reepmmenee running at night. As tliese tfaVhs start night running again iainorrow, the conditions on the water./ i/'dnt 'Should soon be normal. WAIMATE STILL AFFECTED. WAIMATI?, Decembers. A meeting of retailers decid«jd to urge- the reimposing of the. . closing regulations, the Health Departments relaxations being considered, premat'iire as far as this district is cohcerned. . The Hospital Committee last night resolved- similarly. Dr Pitts stated to the Committee that he knew of no influenza case in his' district noi traceable to Christchurch in the Carnival Week"- TChere lias been no deaths from influenza: here since Monday morning. . . Tliere . are 40 c*ases liere and^fu at Mor,ven. GREAT LW^OVEjMENT IN BUNEDIN, December 5. , The influenza position shows great ' improvement. Tliere were'*pniy .11 admissions to the public h'ospita,l in 24 houfs and the number of deaths is small. Dr BoAvie-, acting medical superintendent, said thai if the restrictions locally had been left till next week, lie i would have been able to . let tlie ' patients go with, some , kind of conn:- : dence. . - EPIDMC ABATING IN (DBPffiiSTCHIfRCH. C^RISTgHIfRCH, December 25. Tlie influenza epidemic is abating slowly. . jbiirijig the 24- hours ended, noon, there were seven" admissions "to thfe- hospital and one deftth. One liundred and 1 tliitty-one caies are still inlbspf^ ■••• 'J 1 . ';

MEASLES AT CTtRfSTCHURCH. CHRISTCHURCH, December 5. Dr. Chesson stated yesterday as to ! measles, he had had three cases noti- ; tied from depots and two by medical men, a total of fiAe cases altogether. There appeared to be nothing formidable about the A r isitation of this disease. EPIDEMIC AT TIMARU DIES DOWN. t RE-OPENING OF BUSINESSES CONDEMNED. TIMARIT, December 5 Influenza is rapidly dying down here. Only two fresh cases avcic reI ported to-day, and no deaths. The cases noAv occurring are of a "milder type than Avhen the epidemic first broke out. For several days past the reports from the outlying districts have indicated a marked improvement. The Mayor of Thnaru, the local medical men, and the Vo'untary Aid Committee are unanimously of the opinion that the Minister of Health has made a serious mistake in reopening the businesses so soon. November Avas damp ■ and squally, and at .times', cold, but it is hoped that summer weather, which now seems to have set in, will help to get rid of the epidemic. NO PNEUMONIA AT MELBOURNE. (Ree. December 5. 5.40 p.m.) MELBOURNE, December 5 The Victorian Minister of Health States that there is nothing to Avarrant the suggestion that pneumonic influenza has reached Melbourne. An investigation lias shown that f lic. eases ■treated at the hospital Avere ordinary influenza, and not connected Avitli tne Spanish type. BACILLUS ISOLATED. SIMILAR TO BUBONIC PLAGUE. CAPETOWN, December 4. . Dr Edington, Medical Superintendent of. Grey's Hospital, Maritzburg, in a paper dealing >yith the so-called Spanish influenza, claimed that he had succeeded in isolating the streptobacil---li s , which was • genetically rel a ted to plague, but was, nevertheless no new species; also that jt, was similar to bubonic plfigue. This bacillus found a host in rats, flees a n d other vermin. . i RAGING IN AMERICA. OVER 60.0 DEATHS DAILY IN NEW YORK. WHAT PRESS DELEGATES SAY. The influenza -epidemic had assumed very serious proportions in the United" States and Canada when the New ' Zealand Press delegates passed through. They state that the epidemic had not developed seriously in Britain when they loft, about October 5, btit AA-hen they' reached Ncav York on October 19 the .conditions there' were" alarming. At 'that " time there AVas a daily record of between o'OO and 700 deaths" in New York. At Montreal between 200 and 300 Avere dying daily." The delegates crossed to Vancouver and found- that the epidemic had spread across the Avliole continent. Passing through the province of Alberta, every passenger on the train had. to wear a mask. At Vancouver the influenza appeared to be less serious, but tliere were many deaths there also. No part of the j United States or of Canada escaped. iSome American States reported .more deaths within (he State from JnH.uenV.a than the wliDle loss of life .to the United States on account of the war.

Previously acknowledged Wick and Latimer ... E. Eshton Mrs Duncan McLean ... Miss Moore J. D. Wingham J. Hutton O. 0. Wilson ... „.. Mr Wachler ... ... A. Baley £ s a ... 80 5 U ... 1 1 U ... 1 1 U .1 0 U ... 1 0 U 3 0 U ... 1 1 U ... 1 0 I) 10 0 ... 10 U