A SUFFERING PROVINCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17008, 15 November 1918, Page 6

A SUFFERING PROVINCE.

POSITION NORTH AND SOUTH.

TOWNS IN DISTRESS.

A report from Raetihi states that the district is in an unfortunate position, having no doctors to assist in combating the epidemic, and only a few trained nurses. So far only two depths have been recorded, but there are about 10 cases in temporary hospitals. Up to Wednesday the deaths at Unakune totalled 11. A meeting of citizens yesterday decided to visit various surrounding settlements and instruct the Maoris in the use of disinfectants. It is reported that the epidemic is raging in a severe form at Dargaville, yhere four deaths occurred on Wednesday in the maiD hospital. The temporary hospitals are full,' and the hospital doctor and health officer are among those stricken with the disease. , . Temporary hospitals, each containing 10 bods, have been instituted at the Papakura parish hall, and in the Methodist Sunday-,school. Several deaths Lave taken place in the district, and there are ina"y persons dangerously ill A depot has been opened in Papakura township. The epidemic is still serious in Otahuhu find the surrounding districts. In Otahuhu a wup kitchen has been established in the parish hall, and arsangeirif.nta have been made for the organised distribution of medicine to the sufferers. Fresh cases are being reported daily. Only one death has been reported from Pukekohe. There are several serious cases, but adequate help has been forthcoming. In Ramaraina, where the malady has gained a hold, one death has occurred, bu» the outbreak is nndur control. Precautionary measures are being taken with good effect. There are ft few serious cases at Tuakau, and one sufferer has succumed to the malady. Fighting arrangements aro well in hand.

POSITION AT HAMILTON, f

HIGHWATEIt MARK BEACHED. [by telegf.aph.—-own oobbespondent.] HAMILTON, Thotsdiy. Reporting day to the Hospital Borrd, on a tour of the district, Mr. Bennetts, i health inspector, stated he had found conditions very serious, but in moat, cases the worst stage of the epidemic seened to be passed. At To Awamutu the committee had transformed the Town Hill into'a • temporary hospital, in which there were j3O patients. At Par aw era pa there were I many cases. There were few cases at ] Cambridge, so far, but citizens were pre- | paring for eventualities. There ware 30 ! cases at the Glaxo factory at Matangi, ' but these were now nearly convalescent. : The Town Hall at Taupiri was being fitted up as a temporary hospital with a trained nurse in charge. At Ngaruaalii a a hospital was established at the school and an inhalation chamber had been installed. The hospital contained 26 patients, of whom three nad died A nurse and equipment was needed. It was decided to supply the equipment desired as far as possible. Dr. Douglas, medical superintendent of the Waikato Hospital, said the work at the hospital was being carried out very well under the circumstances, but there were many handicaps. One doctor, the matron, 19 nurses, two cooks, and four maids were down with influenza. Tho people of Hamilton had responded splendidly, and were doing good work in assisting in relief operations. He was optimistio regarding the progress of the | epidemic, and considered tho high-water mark had been reached. So far 133 cases had been admitted, of whom 16 had died. Many of these were practically moribund when brought in. Twelve had been dis--1 charged. The native district nnree reported' that she had attended 11 cases of influenza at the Taniwha pa and five cases of acute influenza at Huntly. Influenza was pre valent in many of the native .settlements visited. FIVE DEATHS AT MERCER. . [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] j MERCER, Thursday. I Many residents of the Mercer district are seriously ill with influenza. Five deaths are reported to have occurred. There is n lack of skilled medical and nursing assistance. Many voluntary workers have rendered valuable assistance. ROTORUA COMBATS DISEASE. TEMPORARY HOSPITAL OPENED. | [i'T TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] ROTORUA, Thursday. St. John's Hall hits been fitted up as & hospital to receive influenza cases. A branch of the V.A.D. has been formed in order to organise aid for patients suffering hom the c'.i&ease. The ladies of the organisation have secured the Technical School cooking appliances to prepare food and delicacies for patients.

POSITION AT WAIHI.

CLIMAX PROBABLY REACHED. I [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORIiESPONDENT.] WATHV. Thursday. i While'the influenza epidemic has not: yet shown any sign of waning it does not ' appear to be spreading, and there is every reason to believe thai it has reached its < height. In the absence of medical men, J i the position cannot be exactly determined, : i but the fact that not more than two, or ]1 possibly three, deaths can be traced to , complications following upon influenza, > points to the malady being less virulent in 11 type than in Auckland. Comprehensive ' measures have been taken by the Citizens', i Committee to combat the outbreak, and. • fine work has been done by women volun- ■. teers. The provisions made by tae management of the mining companies has also 1 done much to prevent the spread of the . malady. The gold mining industry has i been seriously retarded by the absence of i stricken workers, and in the case of the Grand Junction Company, the miners decided to discontinue work for a few days as a precaution against qontractin - the malaay. If the position becomes 110 worse, i' the majority of them will resume work on I, Monday or Tuesday. In the Waihi mine, ; . according to the mining inspector, there' ■ were more men at. work to-day than for i 1 three or four days previously. 1

OASES AT MORBINSVILLE.

SEVERAL DEATHS REPORTED. [by telegraph.— correspondent.] MORRINBYILLE, Thursday. The Baptist Church was opened to-day as a public hospital for influenza cases, and already a number of patients have I been received. Fresh cases are still being j reported, and the doctors are having a very strenuous time. ' Two Maori children died at the Kiwitahi Pa yesterday from influenza. Mrs. A. Bowers died at Morrinsville this morning. I Mr. G. W. Brayshuw, one of the most prominent residents in the district, succumbed from pneumonia, following an attack of influenza. Deceased, who was 38 years of age, w-s president of the Chamber of Commerce and a member of the executive of many public associations. 1 For several years he was a member of the T< wn Board and a P.M. of the Morrinsville Masonic Lodge.