PARALYSIS OUTBREAK

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4945, 21 January 1937, Page 5

PARALYSIS OUTBREAK

TEACHERS' EXTRA HOLIDAY. SHOULD THEY RETURN EARLY? The possible effect of teachers coming back from holidays spent in areas afflicted with infantile paralysis and immediately going among the children was discussed by members of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday morning. In placing the position before the board Colonel F. W. Dawson, medical officer .of health for the Taranaki district, was of the opinion that it would prove advisable if all teachers were requested to be back in their districts at least 10 days before the schools reopened. He himself had received no official notice of the date of the opening of schools, but his advice was that all teachers, especially those in afflicted areas, should be back in the districts to which they belong 10 days before the opening. In supporting this suggestion the chairman, Mr. J. A. Valentine, said that the teachers could be employed in refresher classes during that time. These were always profitable and could fill in the time really well. Mr. C. N. Haslam, senior inspector, remarked that they could not flout Government instructions, and the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. Fraser, had intimated quite plainly that teachers would not be required before schools reopened.

Colonel Dawson stated that the Department was in rather a difficult position as it would not be known till April how the outbreak was going to turn out. The worst months were February and March, and the epidemic would only begin to subside in May. In 1925 Dunedin was lightly affected by the outbreak, but it was getting the worst of things now. Other cases throughout the Dominion were not as many as in the usual course of events. In places where the incidence would be heavy in one outbreak there would be a heavy immunity following. He showed this by reference to various Taranaki towns.

No action was taken regarding the request to teachers.