Palmerston Doings.

Free Lance, Volume XVIII, Issue 957, 14 November 1918, Page 21

Palmerston Doings.

Dkab Chbistabsl,- — WIS are living in stirring times, and the days (and nights) are scarcely long enough, to do tlie abundant work that lies at hand, and have time for an occasional rejoicing. Two unngs are uppermost in the local mind at present—Peace and Iniiuenza —and they are a source of conhicting emotions. •* * * * On Friday the false alai'm of Peace found us early astn'. ITiags and buntmg sprouted suddenly from buildings, and runnel's on foot spread the glad tidings when the under-stafi:ed telephone exciiange failed to meet the jmand. The i'eace Celebration Committee foregathered, but before they set tiie joy bells ringing they took the precaution to ask for verilication of tlie news from Wellington. It was a sad blow, but the flags came sliding down the pole and the smile slipped oit their faces, and we possessed our souls in patience. ****■■ Not so Feilding. The news arrived just as the stock sale was commencing. jx sudden adjournment was made to an adjoining hotel, where the proprietor was lasooed and. a member of the party installed behind the bar. A couple of constables, who felt it their duty to Keep law an<i order, were promptly roped up, and, 'tis said, confined in the cells. When a great gladness bergan to rise within them, this gallant band of patriots returned to the saleyard and, in honour of Peace, liberated ail the stock that was penned awaiting sale. Some of it is still missing. The Mayor orated and the populace cheered. Their gentle gibe at Palmers ton for having cold feet didn't hurt so much as the sore head Feilding had next morning.

Pakiatua also went out oai a jag, Woodville and Dannevirke being equally enterprising. And when a hilarious voice enquired later over the 'phone how Palmerston was jubilating,-; they were very disgusted to find sober citizens at this end. and scorned the idea that the news had been contradicted.

Meanwhile, the Influenza Epidemic is raging. Mayor and Mayoress Nash, to whom too much praise cannot he given for their indefatigable work, are .heading an organisation to fight the scourge and bring assistance to the sufferers. Schools, picture palaces, and theatres have been closed, business houses axe greatly depleted in staff, and in many cases whole families of six and seven are stricken and no help is procurable. The hospitals are overfull. In one private institution the matron and seven nurses are down. I>r. Peach and Dr. Putnam were both victims last week, but are now convalescent. The Ambulance Camp at Awapuni was badly affected, 120 men being down at one time. The Mayoress has opened a depot for receipt of donations of necessary clothing, bedding and food for the more needy cases, and the District Nurse and her band of voluntary helpers is working day and night ten relieve distress.

The first death which occurred was that of the Rector of the High School, Mr. John E. Vernon. A fine type of man and a keen educationalist, he has presided over the High School since its

establishment, and was greatly loved and revered by his pupils. He leaves a widow and three sons, one on active service. * * « # Another well-known man died during the week, Mr. Adam Burges. Awapuni.

BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. TVT OTICE is hereby given that th& Half-Yearly General Meeting of the Proprietors of the Bank of New Zealand will be held in the Banking House in Wellington, on Friday, the 6th day of December, 1918, at 11 o'clock a.m. The Transfer Books of the Bank will be olosed from Friday, the 15th day of November, to Friday, the 6th day of December (both days inclusive). By order of the Board, W. CAT.TiF/NDEB, General Manager. Wellington, Bth November, 1918.

Cagnoli, by reputation, the most famous drum-major in the French Army, recently joined Gabriel's choir. He had retired long before the beginning of the present war,, but re-enlisted in August, 1914. He named each of his seven children for a battle in which his regiment in past historic days had fought.

PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT JNJUW ZH;A"i,AVI\ ' PRECAUTIONS AND WARNINGS. IF persons undertake the following precautions there should be very much less risk of taking the illness ana likelihood of complications : — PRECAUTIONS. Remain in the fresh air as much as possible. Avoid too close contact with persons suffering from colds. Absolutely avoid intimate contact— e.g., kissing and dancing. Avoid places where persons congregate indoors —e.g., public meetings, warns, entertainments, etc. Avoid draughts. Always cough or sneeze into a handkerchief. Use a simple spray for the nose and gargle the throat—e.g., Condy's fluid or any other throat antiseptic, or use r ormamint lozenges, etc. Avoid close contact with persons suffering from influenza. Do not remain unnecessarily ' long with patient, as this increases danger of infection. Ammoniated tincture of quinine is a drug that is much recommended. Spray or wipe floor and furniture in rooms that have been occupied by infected persons with a solution of about half a breakfast-cup to a gallon of water of any reliable disinfectant. PATIENTS. Go to bed when feel onset of symptoms, and remain there till all the fever has completely disappeared. This is the only way of avoiding risk of complications. Isolation should be practised where possible, and only one member of family should visit the patient's room. Destroy sputum, etc., by receiving sputum and nasal secretions into proper receptacles containing 5 per cent, carbolic acid, or into cloths which afterwards burn. Keep patient's feeding utensils, etc. separate, and place in boiling water after use. Handkerchiefs used by patients should be kept separate and well boiled arter use. Patients should not appear in public places for seven to ten days from the onset of the disease, and should be particularly careful not to sneeze or cough without using a handkerchief which .has oeen soaked for an hour in a weak solution of disinfectant—say, a teaspoonful to a, pint of water, otherwise there is danger of infection being spread. Light nutritious diet is recommended. The attendant on the sick person should wash her hands in water to which disinfectant has been added after leaving sick-room and before each meal. She and the other members of the household should gargle the throat and douche the nose with mild antiseptics. She should avoid nsitmg or coming into close contact with other people. By order, J. P. FRENGLEY, Acting Chief Health Officer. Wellington, Bth October, 1918.