GENERAL HEALTH GOOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20794, 10 February 1931, Page 12

GENERAL HEALTH GOOD.

NO CASES OF DISEASE. POSITION VERY SATISFACTORY SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS TAKEN. NORMAL FACILITIES PROVIDED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —SPECIAL REPORTER.] NAPIER. Monday. The general health'situation in the devastated districts is good and no case of fevor or epidemic disease has been reported. " From the health point of view the position is very satisfactory, in that the necessary services are being maintained as in normal times," said Dr. T. J. Hughes, of the Health Department, today. " The earthquake has not unnaturally given rise to special conditions, necessitating special precautions to be taken in regard to water supply and the possibility of fly and other nuisances being created by the destruction of . premises containing decomposed foodstuffs and through the broken sanitary fittings. I take this opportunity of contradicting any false rumours which have been circulated regarding outbreaks of disease and state definitely that there is not one case of disease to create any alarm in the borough." The doctors and nurses have had little rest for several days in attending to the injured. The Hawke's Bay Hospital Board has released Dr. Biggs, superintendent of tho Napier Hospital, for a holiday, and in the meantime Dr. Shore, of the Health Department, will act as superintendent. HELP BY AEROPLANE. INVALUABLE WORK DONE. MEDICAL SUPPLIES CARRIED.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Monday.

The part played by tho officers of the New Zealand Air Force and other pilots has not been a small one. Pilots and organisers, both in the devastated area and at centres of despatch, worked day and night. On the day of the tragedy two aeroplanes, with club pilots at the controls, left Rongotai aerodrome for Hastings, and at the same time pilots at the Wigram and Hobsonville aerodromes were told to prepare for any emergency. Subsequently Squadron-Leader L. M. Isitt and FlightLieutenant S. Wallingford flew South from Auckland, and have been actively engaged ever siiwe. As the medical supplies in Hastings were all gone, arrangements were made in Wellington for supplies to be sent up, and on Wednesday morning two aeroplanes were loaded up and despatched from Rongotai. Two moro machines were sent from the Wigram aerodrome to lend assistance in the strickeii area. Other aeroplanes laden with drugs followed at varying intervals. Two machines from Wigram were engaged in carrying supplies to isolated districts. One aeroplane, with medical supplies and a doctor on board, made tho trip to Waikare, 35 miles north of Napier, where blocked rivers and fallen cliff faces had cut off all communication. In several cases where it was impossible to land supplies were dropped by means of homemade parachutes. Nurses were convoyed to the scene of the disaster by means of aeroplanes. The Geological Department at Wellington has been given a complete survey by air of all slips throughout the district. A regular mail service was kept up between Gisborne, Napier and Hastings and telegrams by thousands were despatched all over the Dominion by means of air services. Ground engineers have been kept very busy making minor repairs. Since Tuesday 20 machines belonging to the New Zealand Air Force and aero clubs have been continuously operating between the devastated area and Auckland and Wellington. AUCKLAND AERO OLTJB. MACHINES SENT SOUTH.

The Puss Moth aeroplane belonging to the Auckland Aero Club has been sent to Hawke's Bay by the club to render what assistance is possible in the earthquake area. With headquarters at Hastings, the machine is carrying out communication work and is available for any other urgent need. The machine, which left the Mangere aerodrome on Sunday morning piloted by Flying-Officer D. M. Allen, instructor to the Aero Club, will remain in the devastated area as long as may bo necessary. TELEGRAPHIC TRAFFIC. THE RUSH CONTINUES. AEROPLANES BEING USED. [by telegraph.—press association.] WELLINGTON; Monday. The Secretary of the Post Office stated this afternoon that telegraph traffic for Napier and Hastings continues very heavy and it was still necessary to utilise aeroplanes for the carriage of telegrams. However, the position had eased slightly since Saturday. Telegraphic communication on the multiplex machine printing system between Auckland and Napier and between Wellington and Napier was now restorod. QUESTION OF WORK. INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA, j % (Received February U. 11.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 9. It is rumoured that numbers of idle carpenters and other tradesmen are turning their eyes toward New Zealand, hoping that if they reach Hawke's Bay they will obtain employment in tho reconstruction works. Inquiries in quarters in close couch with the Dominion indicate that sufficient labour i» already there to meet all needs