THE POSITION TO-DAY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1489, 20 November 1918, Page 5

THE POSITION TO-DAY.

SIGNS OF HOPE. MEDICAL MOBILISATION. "So far as I was able to judge this morning," said the District Health Officer (Dr. 11. Chesson) to a Sun representative this afternoon, " a good many of the districts into which the city and suburbs have been divided are comparatively free of the accumulated cases. Fresh eases are still occurring, but there were very few cases for which arrangements for medical attention were not made this morning. The epidemic, however, is still strong in some districts, especially Sydenham and Waltham." Dr. Chesson has been in communication this morning with officers of the local branch of the British Medical Association, with regard to instituting some kind of block system of medical assistance in Christchurch. Messrs M. J. Grcsson and A. F. Wright have been assisting in the drafting of a scheme. This evening the committee of the local branch of the British Medical Association will confer with Dr. Chesson and Messrs Gresson and Wright, with regard to the matter. In the Queen Mary Hospital for convalescent soldiers, Jlnnmer, the position is very satisfactory, there having been no fresh cases for over a week. The medical officers of that institution, therefore, are now giving assistance to civilian patients in the district. In North Canterbury generally, and particularly about Oxford and Rangiora, the epidemic is widespread. Several doctors are amongst the sufferers. Lieut.-Colonel E. Jennings, N.Z.M.C, has gone to Oxford to deal with the situation there. Four more medical students from the medical school at Otago University, all of whom are being placed at the disposal of the Christchurch Hospital, arrived last evening. A fifth was expected, but he became ill on the journey. DELAYED BURIALS. EXORBITANT CHARGES BY UNDERTAKERS. A SERIOUS POSITION. Crave cause for dissatisfaction still exists in regard to the disposal of the bodies of influenza victims. In the first place, there is often serious delay iu the removal and burial of bodies, and in the second, charges arc being extorted that are out of all proportion to the means of the persons who have relatives to bury. Some shocking cases of delay were referred to at Monday night's meeting, and a burial committee, consisting of the Mayor, the Town Clerk and Cr. Flesher, were appointed to deal with the matter. It was announced yesterday morning that persons experiencing difficulty in the removal of bodies should communicate with the Town Clerk. But there appears to be some serious lack of coordination between the municipal authorities and the undertakers. It is perfectly well known that persons of means have been able to arrange funerals at a few hours' notice, while others in humble circumstances have had to wait three days Apart from the question of delay, The Sun has been informed of cases where undertakers have demanded £25" for a coffin, £7 10/- for a hearse, and £5 for an extra motor, la one case reported to us this morning an applicant was asked £25 for a plain coffin, and requested to find security for payment. This state of affairs should be terminated at once. It is the duty of the city authorities who have ample statutory powers, to provide coffins at a reasonable price, and convey bodies to the cemetery for interment as required. Ministers are in attendance all day to conduct services, and we think public opinion will demand drastic action forthwith. It is scandalous that exploitation such as is being practised at present, should be allowed to go on a day longer. The Health authorities tried to institute a scheme of co-ordination of undertakers' work, but owing to one of the three undertaking firms in the city standing out this fell through. "I think you can say definitely that something will be done," said the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr H. Holland) to a Sun reporter to-day when the subject of burials was being discussed. "We cannot quite give details at present. The present position constitutes an evil that should not be permitted to continue, anil the council will take steps to see that it is abated." This afternoon the District Health Officer is serving upon the Mayor and the Christchurch City Council, as local health authority, a notice requiring the corporation to have all bodies removed ami buried forthwith.