THE EPIDEMIC COMMISSION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11770, 1 March 1919, Page 5

THE EPIDEMIC COMMISSION.

Per Press Association. Auckland, February 28. At the Epidemic Commission today, Dr MacKellar said there was a great number of women In the communit 3’ who, though they had no desire to oecome trained nurses, yet had great natural aptitude for tending the sick. Therefore, it would he of great hanefit to the community if women of this type could receive limited but practical training, and home unreins. An arrangement might be possible by which a certain number of those willing to learn home nursing in a practical way could be allowed to attend a hospital for a certain number of hours, and learn the elements of nursing, under the supervision of experienced Sisters. Major W. H. Pettitt, N.Z.M.0.. said he took charge of the Quarantine Station at Motnihi on December 7th. The island was capable of accommodating 110 to 120 patients, and under supervision the water supply would be sufficient for this number for the quarantine period. On the whole his opinion was that the buildings at present on the island were suitable for quarantine purposes. The lauding place for paienis was not as convenient as it might be, particularly if the weather were at all rough. David McGilles, superintending engineer of the Union Steamship Company Ltd., Auckland, gave evidence in reference to Gie quarters of the firemen on the Niagara. He said the area of all the crews’ quarters was governed by the Shipping and Seamen’s Act. The quarters on the Niagara included five living rooms allotted to the firemen exclusively, not including rooms for washing in and lavatories. There was included also one messroom. Tills was equal to a total of 901 square feet of floor space and 8173 cubic feet of air spiue. The total worked out for 26 men at an average of 34.6 square feet of floor space and 340 cubic feet of air space per man Reducing the provisions of the Act into simple figures, the average could be taken at 35 eqnare feet of floor space for man, and„l2o cubic feet of air space per man, so that the space laid down by the Act was considerably below that allowed an the Niagara. These quarters were on the main deck, and the stewards’ quarters were immediately above the deck. The ventilation, he said, was absolutely the last thing in naval architecture.