THE EPIDEMIC

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10135, 25 November 1918, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC

HELD UP/

bERIOTJS' CASES NOT SO NUMEROUS. The latest .authentic accounts regarding the epidemic of influenza are on the whole reassuring. The ' disease seems to have fairly ,run its^ourse..and Jresh outbreaks ar.p .not....reported,. Mortality has occurred from long--Btandina..pasos,.-but it/would appear that additional cases of infection' are decidedly on the decrease. The weather so far as "Wellington is concerned has been propitious. There was heavy rain on Saturday succeeded by bright sunshine yesterday—just the sort of weather to make short work of epidemic diseases provided that reasonable precautionary' measures are" being tal?on. And. "i£ cannot be 'gainsaid that these measures' are being taken. The influenza in its three forms appears to have lost its virulence. It has spent its force. The fatal cases which, have occurred have been of fairly long standing:. New cases are on the wane. AppaToaflKVlho disease has been fairly fougiii, climatic influences cannot».bfl ■ ..regarded .as.. unfavourable. One «OE.»t.Wo more sunny days and the victory is with us. There is nothing like sun to decrease the microbes. The overwhelming influence of mentality has been previously referred to in these columns-r-Be-of-fiood-heart and the war is won! Above everything it is essential that" •peo'ple shall make up their minds "that''they shall-not be ill. Of course onco a high temperature has been established" there" 'is "only one thing for it. Get to bed and receive as much nourishment "as possible. Above all strength has to be recovered before the ordinary duties of the day are faced. ''A"relapse' means ' pneumonia and the end. Be of good cheer and not too herpi,c.,.jn....ep,tting out .of bed and returning to work. That is good advice.

SATISFACTORY NEWS

FROM ALL PARTS OF THE DOMINION. STATEMENT BY HEALTH MINISTER. Acting on"?nedical advice, the Hon. G.) Wl" l^gsell,-'''M r inister'-for Public Health,' took a rest on Saturday and Sunday, but he hopes to be back to duty to T day,..,.,,.. ..,..., Interviewed by a '.'Times" representative yesterday, the Minister, who, has stood wonderfully well the great strain of the additional work and the heavy responsibility thrown upon him by the influenza epidemic,' stated that from all-parts of the. Dominion . the news continued satisfactory, especially from Auckland, where to-day a partial resumption of ordinary business would probably be arranged for. That city, it must be remembered, however, was some ten days ahead of the rest pi. New Zealand, and consequently.was Jlfkely to get through its troubleear T lier. On the AVest Coast the position was also much be-ttert--On-Saturday ho had received from the Mayor of Greymouth the following telegram:— "Position greatly improved. Business people open premises to-day. Doctors and health authorities consider no harm- resume normal business operations in Grey hospital district." WELLINGTON POSITION BETTER, Referring to Wellington, Mr Russell stated that out of the 414 beds available at the emergency hospitals throughout the city there were, at noon on Saturday, 41 vacant; there were 27 admissions-daring-the'previous 24 hours a*Kl und" the 1 deaths during the same period numbered 9, which was a perceptible diminution on the previous day's record. Out of tho 81 beds at the three convalescent homes there were 22. vacant, and during the 24 hours 36 convalescents .had .been..admitted and 3 discharged cured. Tho figures for Sunday had not reached him. 'The? posi-" tion was satisfactory, said the Minister, indicating as it did that tho coin-" gestion a t.the ..hospitals had ceased, and all immediate necessities'had been provided ion- -- As-required, further convalescent* •homes- 1 ' would - be estaborder that. the . emergency hospitals might bo evacuated as rapidly as possible. The South Wellington school was- to be opened at once as an additional convalescent homo, while the Normal School was to bo opened for expectant mothers. WORST OVER, IN CHRISTCHURCH. In Christchurch, ho added, the organisation bad, been exceedingly ■ complete and the reports from there were that undoubtedly the worst of tho epidemic had passed. Neither of the southern cities had experienced tho disease in tho same virulent form as Auckland. ( and ...Wellington. - "Possibly the colder climate has something to do with this." observed Mr Russell. "But there are probably other reasons which must como into purview. In Wellington, for example, the crowded state.-ofnrihe-«itT as 'regards lodging'-' houses., due tot-the--war--condition's under which- the-city has been living for | four years past, has had a great deal | to do with tlie soverity of tho epidemic, a largo number of the cases being • of young men who were taken to the hospitals from overcrowded boarding houses: "' TOWN-PLANNING BILL URGENTLY | NEEDED. The conditions under which a portion of tho population "h"' both Auckland aud Wellington have „bccu, livmo- have been "brought to" light,' and they demand" the gravest consideration at the ,hnnds._of,,Parliament. JS T o,one.-who has studied oven, superficially- tho epidemic and its.results can doubt the absolute necessity for the passing -at 'tho'earliest" possible moment of a Town-Planning Bill.". POSITION AMONG MAORIS ACUTE. He regretted that the position regarding tho .Maoris continued very acute in . various districts. Information" was received from tile Mayor of Hastings that an emergency hospi- . tal for natives was beinn established in that town.. The reports stated that there....were cisikt deaths amongst natives on Saturday and five serious cases \inder treatment. ,Eor • the population.-at. Hastings-the fine buildings of tho Hawko's Bay Racing Club . had been placed at the disposal of the

authorities and were proving a valuauie adjunct.

PITEOUS APPEALS FOR HELP. The greatest difficulty the department was faced with was still the shortage of medical men and trained nurses. From Masterton a piteous appeal came yesterday for medical assistance as every doctor in that town was now down with influenza. The chairman of the hospital board had applied to Trenthairi for help, but the medical staff there was unable to spare assistance on account of the necessities of the camp. A few days ago the department sent a medical man to Greytown as that district was in great difficulpresent the only medical assistance in..Mastorton ..was a medical student who was dispatched there early in the week. The appeals that were coming from the country districts for medical help were almost harrowing. The medical men had dono splendidly throughout, the campaign, but many of them had gone down. Those who' were still in action wore doing yeoman seryico night and day to meet the needs of the population, and so far as possible help was being sent the outlying districts, but the department had now come to a point where it was almost impossible to know where to turn for aid. Now that Auckland was improving, however, the Minister hoped that they might be able to get immediate relief by securing the return of the medical men whose assistance was granted bv the Defence Department for thai city. STATE MEDICAL SERVICE? In his opinion, the -whole question of the medical service and the public health of the Dominion must be reconsidered in the light of this epidemic, a.nd he proposed to lay before Parliament at the earliest .possible date et complete statement and proposals dealing with the matter. He was glad to say that the news from the Taranaki district was most reassuring, apart from the position of •the natives, who, in the Manaia district, .were suffering badly. Information had also been received from the Wanganui river area that the- principal kaiangas in that district are seriously affected, particularly at Koroniti. From Waikanae, Manakau, and Foxton, information had been received as to the needs of the Maori population. Where it had been impossible to send doctors, the inspectors of the department had been' dispatched with the necessary medicines, and good work had been done. Gradually it was dawning upon the natives that the policy of fatalism led surely to death, and they were being aroused to the necessities of the situation, and were beginning to take advantage of theadvice and assistance that was given thein. Pamphlets in the native language were also being circulated, and he hoped would do good. Great assistance had been given by the Railway Department in the manufacture of equipment for the inhalation carriages, which were.-nstsv-in use on several of the trains in the Dominion. Thesa had been found of great assistance in the north of Auckland, where one had been installed between Whangarei and Opua.

NO HEED TO WORRY

REASSURING MEDICAL STATEMENT. Colonel Makgill,' 'District Health Officer, said, on Saturday, that in order to relievo the minds of many people it was necessary to stress the following points:— Death from influenza occurring in a community did not necessarily mean that the disease was especially severe in the locality. Some persons were much, more prone than others to be affected by various types of infection which an averago person might take in a comparatively mild form. Pneumonia was more infectious than influenza, There were certain forms of pneumonic complications which were .more universally severe, .Ordinarily person infected with such organism? would be very ill, but every sever? case of influenza was not due to such harmful organisms. With regard to death, the department found that many persons wore frightened to touch the body or even go near it. This nervousness was quite unnecessary. After death from influenza or pneumonia, tho organisms of such diseases rapidly ceased to be dangerous. It was, however, necessary for other sanitary reasons to dispose oi tho body as quickly as possible. The discolouration of the bodiea which had been assumed to bo evidenca of the effects of "black plague" of other medieval terrors was merely owing to physical conditions which were commonly found in the case of death from pneumonic complications in acute fevers. Like measles, influenza was chiefly infectious in tho early stage. The organisms appeared to vanish after convalescence had been established, and when the temperature had been normal for several days tho sputum ana" breath were quite free from infection. Special precautions might have to be taken not so much against influenza as against organisms which accompanied influenza. Therefore patients who had suffered from complications were treated with nasal douchuag before being discharged.

ON ITS LAST LEGS

EPIDEMIC BEATEN IN MAIN CENTRES. "We have not had so'many reports in to-day," stated Colonel R. H. Mack-. Kill, District Health Officer, to a "Times" representative yesterday. "So far as my rather' limited information goes, however, thinzs are extremely satisfactory. We are opening up the Wellington South school as a further convalescent, home for men. The need for convalescent homos shows how tilings are going. We are not opening up any more hospitals. What is to be looked for now is outbreaks in isolated districts to which the disease has not yet penetrated. Pockets will nc doubt- occur through infected individuals carrying the disease with them to oxit-of-the-way-plac.es. -This-may be expected to go on for some time, though, of course, it will bo guarded against as much as possible." So far as tlie mam centres are concerned, he added, tho thing is practically on its last legs.

THE RBAYOR CONFIDENT

GETTING EPIDEMIC UNDER CONTROL.

"Tho developments "to-day aro encouraging;,'' said the .Mayor (Mr J. P. Luke, M.P.> in conversation with a

"Times'' reporter on Saturday, "and wo aro hoping that, -with tho better weather that is now setting in, a great improvement will result. It is anticipated that there will be a considerable shrinkage in the numter of patients requiring admission to the emergency hospitals." On Thursday * about eighty cases were admitted to hospital, he added. The number had dropped to about 40 on Friday, and it was still decreasing. Tho need had arisen for the provision of a special hospital for expectant mothers who had been affected by the epidemic: and the Mayoress and himself, in conjunction with the ladies of the Citizens' Committee, had moved in tho matter, with the result that the health authorities had authorised Major McCristell to make special provision for such cases at the Normal school, Thomdon. Owing to so many mothers being in hospital with tho influenza, the number'of children to be provided for was considerably in excess of the capacity of the Miramar Oolf Club, and the North Wellington Committee were therefore making arrangements to provide additional accommodation for children. They were also making provision in that district on their own responsibility for malo convalescents who had been treated by the committee either in their own homes or in hoardinghouses. The object of the setting up of a convalescent home for these cases was that they might be restored more rapidly to their normal health and strength. In addition of Mr Tennant, the principal of the ls.elbum Training College, was associating himself with the Citizens' Committee for the purpose of establishing a temporary home for children in the Training College. At the Wellington South school also accommodation was being provided for 60 male convalescents rrom 'the emergency hospitals. in conclusion, the Mavor stated that he was absolutely confident that they were getting the epidemic well under control, and he desired ft© express the sincere thanks of the citizens to the doctors and nurses and to tho splendid band of voluntary workers who had done such grand work in this, trying crisis.

WELLINGTON NORTH

FKOBLEU OF THE CONVALESCENTS The Kev. S. Kobertson 6rr reports: The operations from Wellington, North are still being further restricted .as we find that every day sees a conbidcrabio decrease in the number of the appeals. Even Sunday saw the same decrease. AYo had expected that with, so many people off work on Sunday discoveries would be made of sickness in certain homes and further appeals for nursed Would be sent in, but this was not so. "We have, therefore, decided to do without as many workers as possible so as to release them for other depots. The organisation will bo kept going on ..a minimum basis just in case it may be needed. We all sincerely hope it will not be needed again. The trams which were run from the different termini proved qiiite a help in getting tue workers to their various places and hospital in time. One or two problems confront us; one of them da in regard to fitting up the convalescent case's. We have heard on all -sides that the best thing to do is to supply as much necessary food a 9 we can. We are endeavouring to do this, and soup, broths, etc., are coming in on every hand. We would be grateful if those who have these to bend to xtg could possibly arrange to have them delivered. The number of motor-cars at our disposal is not now sufficiently great to be able to send for all that is offered us, so that if these very necessary things were sent in they wotild be even of more value. Still, if they cannot be sent in we will make the best arrangemetttts w» can to eend for them. We have abo mado arrangements for supplying much-needed tonics, and these can be secured on application at sixpence per bottle, or free where the applicants are unable to pay. Anothor problem in regard to the convalescent cases is whether any of these should bo removed from their 'private hornet to fome home fitted up for them. There nre> necessarily some people who cannot be satisfactorily looked after in their own bomes, and these may at any time come back upon our hands. We, therefore, have taken the precaution of finding some suitable home Into which we can remove convalescent cases and seo that they are properly looked after until thev are thoroughly well. Another aspect of,the convalescent casea is in respect to their boardinghouses. We find that if one is convalescent in a Hospital or in some other place where tnev have been sick they expect to get back as usual to. Iheir boarding-houses, and then find their place is not open. This, of course, has happened in manv cases and we want to be ablo to deal with thorn before they go back to their ordinarv homes. We. therefore feel we should attempt to discover if. convalescent cases are sure they will get back to thoir permanent homes. We are also endeavouring to do something in regard to the children whose parents are unable to 3ook after them, or whose parents are in hospital. We have fairly good hopes of being ablo to op&n a private home which wo hope to secure for a certain number of these children in our district. Quito a number of capable workers are offering to look after these healthy children until their parents are ready to care for them again, eo we trust wo will bo ablo to meet thia need within the next day or eo.

Our workers are much gratified to find that thev have coped with, the epidemic in fiuch a comparativelyshort time. They have aU worked hard and the strain has been indeed very uroat. ( We hope at some earlv date to acknowledge publicly our indebtedness to the many workers by supplying a complete list of their names. The workers were much heartened this niornins? by receiving from the Mayor the personal congratulation and hearty thanks on behalf of the city for the work done in Wellington North. We are not of course disbanding wholly, but will just hold the organisation in readiness in case it is needed. Wo do not feel that a central organisation can supply all the needs of this district in the meantime as thev are not acquainted with the particulars that are in our possession, bo that we want to have a little oversight over the various homes wo have beon helping until wo are finally assured Ho more help is necessary. Only one other thins* we would like to ask for. that in that friends should pond to us any reading matter that they have to spare for hospitals; particularly when patients «ct convalescent they begin to look for some means of employment and reading matter is already being asked for. Please send it to St. Andrew's schoolroom, from which it will be distributed to where is is most needed. It is with much regret that w e learned to-dav that one of our experienced nurses. Mrs BeaFfley, had succumbed. She gavo her life to save others.

VERY'MUCH BETTER

SiATEMENT BY DR. VALINTINE. "From what I can see matters are looking very much better," stated JJr Vnlmtine. Chief Health Officer, to a "Times'' reporter yesterday. "The admissions are not so numerous, and the report* generally are more reassuring."

SWSPECTOR OF SHIPPING

HEALTn PRECAUTIONS. Captain A. V. Hale-Monro. Health inspector of Wharves and Vessels, has arranged for inspectors to go round to all ships in port daily, to take the temperature of each member of the crews. If the temperature of a man is found to be 100 degrees he will..bo sent to Uio wharf clearing station at the Harbour Board X store. There he will be examined by Dr Martindale.Ker.aall, and if bis case is considered serious the patient will be transferred to an emergency hospital. If the case is doubt£ul "the patient" will' remain "at the clearing station, which is "ftttecTup with bunks, for observation. By 'this arrangement in future no seafarer will bo permitted to lie sick on board his vessel, and as soon as ho "has been removed his quarters will "be fumigated. T'nese inspectors aro also to examine the crews' living quarters oil the various ships, and if the quarters require attention the ship will bo declared not <deau, which means thot.no work will proceed in connection with it.. No anioials, other than dogs and cats, are now allowed to remain on board vessels at tho wharves. As a result of this embargo a healthy looking pig on the French baraue at the Queen's wharf was executed on Saturday, and its carcase was subsequently on sale at the shop of a city pork butcher. The organisation on the waterfront is now complete from the time a case is suspected to its clearance to a hospital. Particular attention will be paid this week to the health conditions •on board all vessels, -tho' object being to keep the port clean so that work on the waterfront may bo carried on as visual. Vessels arriving at Wellington are not permitted to berth until tney have been declared clean. SEAFARERS STRICKEN. Four cases of influenza (A. Evans, A. Kernane. A. Peckham and another) wero removed from the Paparoa to the 4iis3ion to Seamen's Hospital yesterday. Another patient (J. Champion), <rho was found to he suffering from malaria and epilepsy, was transferred from the Paparoa to the Wellington Hospital. Three men in the..convalescent stage w-ere removed from that vessel to the St. Anne.'s. Hall convalescent hospital. Newtown. Two mild cases (the chief engineer and another member of the crew) were diagnosod on the cable steamer Iris on Saturday. .a certificated nurse was placed aboard to attend to the patierits' who aro isolated on the vessel. Mrs Keegan, wife of P. Keegan, keeper of the hulk Occident, and her two daughters and a son were found to he suffering from inuuenza yesterday and were taken to tho Wellington College hospital. C. McVicar, an engineer from the Maravoa, was removed from the B storo clearing station to St. Patrick's Col' lege hospital on Saturday. E. Tffbrnton, fore-cabin steward of the Mararoa, who was suffering from a milk attack of influenza, was brought ashore from the vessel to the waterfront clearing station on Saturday, but will probably bo discharged cured to-day. William •John Witsey, keeper of the hulk Blackwall, who has been suffering from a milk attack of influenza, was discharged cured yesterday. An endeavour is being made to have 6t. Anne's Hall convalescent hospital reserved for seafarers. Captain A. V. Hale-Monro, Health Inspector of Wharve3 and Vessels, states that St. Anne's is an ideal home for seafarers, and that Archdeacon Devoy and the Lady Superior are doing.their.-utmost for tho health.and comfort of tho convalescents there so that they may regain their health. In consequence of the splendid treatment they have received several of the men will be discharged cured in a few days.

NO NOISY INTERVIEW

DEFENCE MINISTER DENIES REPORT. SOLDIERS'-LEAVE GRIEVANCES ADJUSTED. - The Minister for Defence denies the report that on the occasion of his visit to Featherston Camp last -week a sergeant, representing-the men, had a somewhat noisy interview with him and the Chief of Staff (Colonel Gibbon) with regard to certain grievances. ■ "There is not ono partiole of truth in the statement," stated Sir James Allen on Saturday. "The sergeant did not interview me at all at Featherston. He took tho propor course, through his commanding officer and the C.G.S. to tho Adjutant-General, to discuss certain legal questions and grievances, and all wore settled by tho Adjutant-General except ono, and on that tho Adjntant-Genoral authorised him to see me, and he came to see me. That was on the question of sick leave for men who have been in hospital. "It had been, dqcidpd that w;e would hold mon in camp until thoy were well enough to resume their civil occupations. This was dono in the interests of tho men themselves, because we believed that if we kept them under conditions of camp life wo could sooner restore them to complete health again than if they were allowed to wander off to thoir homes. The men represented that many of them wore married, and were anxious about their wivea and families. I therefore agreed that they should ho allowed to go on sick leave, on condition that they had their eight days' convalescence, and that tho P.M.O. or a medical board decided that it was safe For them to go away, notwithstanding that they wero not quite restored to health. Under theso conditions, they .will get fourteen days' sick leave pay." "■Tho representations made," addod tho Minister, "were entiroly in order and tho sergeant, insitotud of being noisy, was quito the contrary." Tho telephone number for inquiries re epidemic haa been changed to 4063 (two ring 3) in regard to tho Bedlam, pore district.

IN THE SUBURBS

EERHAMPORE. Berhampore is now fully organised to cope with the epidemic. Only two or three fresh cases were reported to the district headquarters on Saturday, and all old and convalescent cases are reported to be making good progress. A separate distress fund has been started, and is under the control of the district treasurer. Mr Richmond. Thno inspectors, Messrs Dunn, Barker, and Brown have been appointed, and householders will be ordered to clean yards thoroughly, to destroy rubbish and to disinfect and fumigate houses properly. A plentiful supply of invalid foods and dainties has so far been sent in, and residents are requested to continue to help in this practical and very important manner. A checking system >s followed in the distribution of aJI foods in order to prevent any possibility or tho committee being imposed upon. Mr P. Watt statecl last night that only one fresh case was reported in the district yesterday and that only two serious cases were demanding attention. WELLINGTON SOUTH. A general improvement in the Newtown (Wellington South) area, where Mr H. A. Parkinson is in cnarge, is apparent, and his efforts are being loyally supported by a willing band of helpers." Realising that now is tho time for a supreme effort to entirely stamp out the disease, Mr Parkinson would bo glad of the assistance of a few more helpers. On FriI day, in this district there were only 30 new houses where cases were reported, as against 45 on 75 on Wednesday. Many of the patients, were doing _ exceptionally well, and had stated that there was no necessity for the workers to call any more. Still, of course, the staff they had was just sufficient to meet the cases. WELLINGTON EAST. Possibly due to the appeal made byMr William Foster, in charge of the Wellington East group, there was a pleasingly large increase in tho number of voluntary workers offering in that district at the. week-end. The position in East, generally speaking, is much easier, and there has been a considerable drop in the number of serious cases reported. The organisation in Wellington East has been most favourably commented upon. , The portion of tho city between Buckle street on the north, Sussex street and Adelaide road on the east, John street on the south, Wallace and tributary streets and Taranaki "street on the west, have now been added to the Wellington East district. Residents aro requested to notify -194 a of any cases of influenza requiring visits from nurses. "kelburn. There is a certain decrease in the number of new cases in the Koiburn area, and the committee, with tho additional help received during the last two days, is able to deal satisfactorily with the serious cases. Many remarkable recoveries are taking place. Today the work of disinfection of the premises in the district will commence in accordance with tho Mayor's instructions. HATAITAI. The Hataitai committee reports a rapid decline in the number of cases, but headquarters will remain open until further notice. Many donations have been received for the general relief fund, also for the Tolley relief fund. The latter was started for the benefit of a widow with nine children (tho eldest onlv 13 years of age), who were left unprovided for. SEASIDE .RESORTS. The organisation to cope with the epidemic m Miramar, Seatoun, Kilbirnie, and Lyall Bay-districts is working well there being only one seriously ill case Tho medical and nursing attention is all that can be desired, and sufferers speak highly of the services of Drs Wallace Mackenzie and Giesen, who are in chargo of the medical arrangements, and who have been, and are, untiring in their personal care in the largo district of which they are "captains." In turn,, tho doctors have nothing but praise for tho work of Mrs McVicar, of Miramar, who is in chargo of the nursing division, and who has the assistance of energetic, sympathetic young ladies, some of them teachers, tailoresses,. and clerks, who have offered their services voluntarily, and who have accomplished much good work. The block system has proved most successful in this section of Wellington's epidemic activities. All are to be congratulated on the health of these suburbs, for which tho initial precautionary arrangements and The cateful supervision of reported cases by Pao medical men, trained orderlies, and volunteer nurses are mainly responsible. Wherever a case is reported to headquarters, tho orderlies (volunteer citizens), who have been speciI ally trained by tho doctors in charge, visit the affected person, and make I examination, tender advice, and do all I that is humanly possible for the patient, effect removal of tho serious cases, and render invaluable service in many ways. BROOKLYN. It is reported that the Brooklyn district is well organised, and tho epidemic has greatly abated. The committee acknowledges tho receipt of the following donations:—Mr Hutcheson, £1; Mr WhancU, ss; Mr Shanders, £10; Captain Walton, £1; Mrs Thew, £1; Mrs Doherty, us; Mrs Poarson, £1; Mr Davidson, £1 Is; Mrs Howdon, £1; Mr and Mrs Nind, £2 2s; Mrs Donovan, £1; Mrs Ward, 4s 6d; "Thankful for Good Health," 10s; total, £2O 7s 6d. The numbers in hospital aro ten women and eleven men. Three canes are serious. LOWER HUTT. Inquiries at Lower Hutt elicited tho fact that thore is a great improvement. Up till II o'clock on Saturday no inquiries for help had been received at tho Town Hall, while the previous dav thero were a fair number. Tho visitors who go round the district daily, report at the Town Hall between 11 and 12 o'clock in the morning, and through these means the necessary me-' dieal and other services arc available

much earlier than would bo the caso if the organisation was not in existence.Tho system in vogue is a card one. Tho visitor inscribes on a card the name of the person or persons who have contracted the disease, the number and location of the house, the number of occupants, the particular help required—medical or food, or both—and it is forthcoming with as little delay as possible. A committee of ladies have charge of the food supply such as soup, barley-water, jellies, etc., and two motor-cars have been placed at their disposal by residents in order that the food may be distributed as expeditiously as possible. All the food is donated by residents, and during their rounds the lady distributors, several of whom are competent to take temperatures, do so, and particulars are sent to headquarters for observation by the doctor. At the temporary hospital tho work is proceeding satisfactorily, and the majority- of the patients are doing well under tho very careful and assiduous attention that they are receiving from .he voluntary staff. All the accommodation is hot taken up and at least six of the patients had reached the convalescent stage, while the new cases wero of a mild type. The Mayor (Mr E. P. Rishworth) is displaying a great amount of energy and zeal in combating the diseaso, and bo is receiving whole-hearted assistance from a number of residents. All the cases that arc being treated are not from the borough only, as several patients are from the Hutt county. Mr Rishworth said ho was somewhat surprised that the Hutt County Council had not mado provision for the residents in their respective ridings who are smitten with influenza, as the Hutt borough was only in a position to look after its own sufferers, as the hospital accommodation was limited. It was understood that Mrs Cameron, licensee of the Taita Hotel, had offered her premises as a temporary hospital, but the offer liad not so far been accepted. Mr Rishworth said that medicine and food would be willingly supplied, and on Saturday a motor-car with experienced help, together with medicine and food, was sent to Stokes Valley, where the majority of the settlers are down with the malady. UPPER HUTT. Very few homes in this district have escaped the scourge. Dr Munro, the local doctor, has been stricken, and by tho kind permission of Colonel Henderson, Major Pettit, N.Z.M.C., has been attending, with much success, to a large number oj' pat/ents. A committee was formed, with Mr F. W. Council as chairman, and the various members are working hard to assist all those who are in distress. The school, which had seven largo well-ventilated rooms, has been turned into a hospital for serious cases, and, under a certificated nurse, Mrs Pettit, assisted by a few energetic workers, a very great amount of good is being done. ~petone7~ Tho epidemic is undoubtedly abating at Petone, according to the report furnished by the municipal authorities. There were several deaths at the temporary hospitals at the week-end, tho patients being in a serious condition when admitted to the institution, while there aro three serious cases now under treatment. The voluntary band of workers have earned tho gratitude of the community by. the cheerful and untiring manner in which thov are carrying out their arduous duties. Food for the invalids is being freely sent to the hospital by residents, and the Mayor (Mr J". W. McEwan) is doing his utmost to ascertain where assistance is required outside and seeing that comforts are supplied. Tho ladies who come off the night shifts at the hospital and those who take their places are driven to and from their homes in motor-cars. Work is going on apace at the Drill Hall in preparation for tho receipt of convalescent soldiers, and the Mayor has approached the Defenco Department with the obiect of obtaining permission to take over the building for the use of convalescent citizens. An influenza relief fund has been opened by the Mayor, and several donations have been received. It is hoped that all who aro able will contribute to the fund as the money is needed to relievo necessitous cases.

IN THE WAIRARAPA

(From Our Own Correspondent.) MASTERTON. November 23. Reports to hand show that there is a considerable abatement in the influenza epidemic. Yesterday only 20 cases were reported against 60 to 80 a dav earlier in tho week. Of 480 cases on tho authorities' books. 82 now need no further assistance. The temporary hospitals are still full, but a large number of patients have recovered and aro to he removed to convalescent homes. Since November 11th it is estimated that there have been about twentyfive deaths in Masterton and district from influenza, while about 1100 people have been stricken.

AT THE CAMPS

The medical roport from Foatherston on Saturday was of a reassuring nature. Four men attended the sick parade, and there wore no admissions to hospital. Tho total number of patients in hospital was not sent, but it was ascertained that thero wore sixty serious cases (tho same number as tho previous day), and that one death had taken place. At Trentham two men paraded sick, and one was sent to hospital. Tho total number of patients in hospital was 1173, of whom 39 wero serious cases. Five deaths had taken place since tho previous day's report. At Awnpuni one man attended the sick parade, but his condition did not warrant his being admitted to hospital. Thero were 15 cases under treatment in hospital, 14 of which wero influenza patients, but thore wero no serious cases.

WELLINGTON CENTRE DISTRESS FUND

Mr C. Baiy, treasurer of the Central Distress) Fund, St. John's Hospital, acknowledges furthor donations a 3 follow:—Mrs Mills, 7s Cd; Miss O'Toole, £1; Soldier, £o; Mr "VV. H. Bennett, £5; Anonymous, 10s; Anonymous, 12s; Grand Central, 17s; Anonymous, £5; Mr Goodwin, £5; Mr Gil-

mer, £5; Mrs Carmody, £1; Mr F. W. Rowley, £5; Mr It. A. Amstrong, £5; Mr A. L. Johnson, £5 ss; Mrs A. Elder, £1; Peggio McNeil, £1; Jack McNeil, £1; Rev. Dr Elliott, 10s; Mrs J. S. Rotheram, £2 2s; Mr Limpford, ss; Miss Pigford, £1 10s; West Coaster, £5; Mr G. Ward, £l. Further donations will bo received gladly, as thero is much distress in the district, and all cases must be relieved.

IN OTHER TOWNS

Presa Association. DUNEDIN, November 24. A quieter tone is apparent to-day and the situation is not any woree. Twenty-four patients were discharged completely cured from the auxiliary hospital to-day, and a large number of disehaj-ges may be looked for daily. There were 34 admissions to the general hospital to-day, practically all pneumonic. The members of tho old nursing staff arc all laid up, and out of five house surgeons four are ill. Their places are being filled by two senior students. AUCKLAND, November 24. The position has so improved that Dr Frengley announces that hairdressers, marble bars, and refreshment rooms in the city and suburbs will bo allowed to resume business to-morrow should the improvement continue as during the last few days, it is anticipated that another week at the most will see the remainder of the restrictions removed. Deaths in institutions for the twenty-foUr hours ended midnight on Saturday totalled nine, with only two or three since. The absentees from tho Post and Telegraph Department number 88 (mostly convalescent), against 110 last week. Mail deliveries are being resumed. There are easier conditions on the railway and tramways and a. few suburban trains are resuming running. HOKITIKA. November 23. Three influenza deaths were reported yesterday, including that of Ser-geant-Major Thomas Atkins, who won the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Gallipoli, and since his return had been in charge of the Defence office here, proving a most efficient officer. A wife and young child are left. Later. There were three deaths from influenza last night—two women and one man. Several other cases are critical. The fall in the temperature has caused further uneasiness. A number af admissions were made to-day to the temporary hospitals. Difficulty is being experienced in procuring relieving aurses. Those who died last night were: —Mrs Remington, Mrs Young,' imd Air Alfred Potter. The proportion of deaths to those affected in the district is about 2 per cent.