NEWS OF THE DAY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10135, 25 November 1918, Page 4

NEWS OF THE DAY

The following telegraphic dispatch has been received by Captain HallThompson, the senior Naval officer in Now Zealand: —"The Board of the Admiralty desires to express .to officers and men of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines on the completion of tneir great work their congratulations on a triumph of which history knows no parallel. Tho surrender of tho German fleet accomplished without shock of battle will remain, for all time an example of the wonderful silence and suroness with which sea power attains its ends. Tho world recognises that TMs consummation is due to the steadfastness with which the Navy has maintained its pressure on the enemy through more than four years of war—a pressure exercised no less insistently during the long monotony of waiting than in the rare opportunities for an attack." Captain Hall-Thompson advises that a mine has been washed up on the coast six miles north of the mouth of the Manawatu river. Saturday was a remarkably quiet day at the Customhouse, no duty being collected. The bad weather, stated Sir James Allen (Minister for Defence} on Saturday had delayed the demobilisation of the'camps. In the, interests of th. men, tho medical authorities had iccommended that it was necessary to retain them safely in camp until the weather improved. About 10.30 o'clock on Saturday night a letter-collecting motor van caught fire at tho U-.P.0. whilo being oxamined with the aid of a lighted match. The fire brigade was summoned, and the blazo was extinguished with a patent hand grenade. Onlyslight d'amago resulted to the engine and one footboard. "It is really astonishing, and one would not believe how filthy some mothers allow their children to become. I would not have credited that such a stato of things existed if it find not . been di ' rectly brought under my notice," said a volujnfcary nurse. * "Children have been brought to the institution where I am working with their clothing so stuck together with filth that the garments have had to bo cut off their bodies." When visiting a house where some of tho inmates wero believed to be suffering from influenza, two ladies found the father and three children in a bed in a room 12ft hy 7ft. All had been attacked by tho disease, and tho man was tutting up in bod smoking. Tho air in the room was stifling, and tho man's wifo said alio did not open a window or door as her husband and children might catch cold. Thero was broken food and dobriß on the floor, and the houso was in a filthy stato'. Dirt was caked on tho children's skin, and by tho appearance of tho bed-clothes they had not been washed for a considerable time.

In reply to questions about supplies of liquor,' Colonel Mnkgill stated on Saturday that in various ways the department was permitting the distribution of sufficient quantities for medicinal purposes.

The measure of success attained by tho Wellington Central Committee in combating tho eii'ects of tho epidemic can be put down to the whole-hearted efforts of the willing band of volunteers and doctors, who have never stinted themselves cither in work or hours.

Colonel Valintine stated on Saturday that the Health Department recognised the great assistance received from tho Education Department by the lending of its medical ofiicers and nurses. It was grateful also to many people who had cheerfully helped to the best of their ability in fighting tho epidemic.

Michael Kiely, who has boon beforo the court on numerous occasions for insobriety, again made his appearance before Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., on Saturday morning. All sorts of precautions had been taken against Kiely, oven to the taking away of his sticks and portions of his clothing, but he managed to get away from St. Joseph's Home, Buckle street, and got drunk. Tho magistrate convicted and sent tho defendant to Roto Roa for two years.

One of the most remarkable incidents in connection with tho influenza epidemic has been the absence of mortality in relation to tho nurses of the Wellington Hospital. Many have succumbed to the disease, along with some of tho surgeons, but so good has been the treatment at tho hospital that not a single case has resulted fatally. The staff record redounds wonderfully to the efficacy of the hospital treatment.

Messrs Kirkcaldie and Stains, Ltd., beg to advise the public that their premises will not reopen until Monday next, November 25th. so that the staff may further assist in combating the epidemic. The staff will resume duties to-day (Monday).