INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17026, 6 December 1918, Page 6

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

ABATEMENT- NOW GENERAL.

ALL PARTS OF DOMINION.

Very satisfactory progress continues to bo made in' respect to tho influenza epidemic. There were no deaths at any of the hospitals yesterday. The admissions to the general hospital numbered six, and all were of a very mild type. » Each day convalescent cases are being taken from the various temporary hospitals to the convalescent home at EUerslie Racecourse, and many patients are being discharged fully recovered from the latter. The first reliable series of figures relating to the number of deaths during November were obtained yesterday. At five cemeteries in the Auckland city and suburbs 1081 burials took place. The figures for the respective-' cemeteries are :— Waikumoto 488 I'urewa .. iOti Waikar&ka 239 Uillaboro' .... .. •■ 13 O'Neill's Point «« Total .'. 1081 The average number of burials in the Auckland cemeteries, including that at O'Neill's Point, each month, is probably under 100. Many deaths were caused by influenza and septic pneumonia during the latter portion of October, and many deaths were reported from outlying suburban districts. It is the opinion of prominent workers in connection with the epidemic that when complete figures for the Auckland Province are available the total death roll will probably be nearly 1500. The closing meeting in connection with the Birkenhead Epidemic Relief Committee was held last evening, the Mayor, Mr. J. P. McPhail, presiding.. The Mayor mentioned that one resident had donated £25 as a nucleus for a relief fund. It was decided to establish a permanent relief fund for the purpose of relieving distress in the district, and the Mayor, Messrs A. E. Wood, E. Roberts, A. Hadfield and J. W. Court were appointed a committee for the purpose. It was resolved to entertain the lady workers early in the New Year, and the matter was referred to a committee. ■ The Mayor referred in highly appreciative terms' to the efforts of the members of the committee, during the epidemic, mentioning particularly the services rendered by the workers who undertook the work of nursing and assisting in houses.. Members of the committee eulogised the services rendered by the Mayor, who had worked energetically in the interests of the people of the district. ■ •' •' i THE PUBLIC SERVICES. ALMOST NORMAL. Conditions are normal in. the Telegraph Office, and improving steadily at the Chief Post Office,, where most of the employ have returned to duty. A few attendants are still absent from the Telephone Exchange,' but a good service is maintained.

\ Many more 'tramwaymen", returned to duty yesterday, and as ft consequence 100 care were running yesterday, tie no.'nal complement being .114.

MAORIS IN THERMAL DISTRICT.

. EPIDEMIC RAPIDLY ABATING. ' The latest inspection of outlying Maori settlements in the thermal district shows that the epidemic is rapidly diminishing. Nurse Shaw, from the native hospital in the Rotorua district school, and Miss Haddow, a voluntary worker, have gone to Muripara to attend to 'the patients there., < y ■'.

FEW SERIOUS OASES AT WAIHI. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CokBESPOKDKJT.] * ¥ \ l\ -V i'' :\'' * " ) WAIHI. Thursday. The epidemic is rapidly waning, and the town is again approaching normal. A few new cases have been reported during the past week, and in most instances these have been of a mild character. The deaths since the outbreak total.2l, and only one or two serious cases are now under treatment in the hospitals.