PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS.

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

PARLIAMENT ADJOURNS.

Prtss Atsociation. WELLINGTON, November IP. j In the House of Representatives this j afternoon, in moving the adjournment ; for a week, the Prime Minister said it j would be impossible to go on with busi- | ness tili the influenza epidemic had j spent itself. lie was glad to say that the reports to-day were encouraging, but as other gatherings had been prohibited they ought to be consistent and i close down Pardament. | Sir Joseph Ward sai I that as ]v mcm- ' bers had been stricken. it would bo unfair to g<> on. IP therefore supported i the roi;; -e sugje-tc.i i r the Piimo M inister. I 1 iie House n.ijtjgvr.e.! till 11 a.o . on i Tuesday next. REASSURING - THE PUBLIC. - ON A MATTER- OF INFECTION. Regarding tie'- ' - taken at the Hospital to \ •-r ,* the sp.-a-l of tho ' disease after r.-iati; -s have ..-eh a i patient. Mr 11. it. .‘suren-eu stated that j he had gone into the ques*;,,,, thor- ■ oughly wit ;i i aim. ’ Wylie. The result 'arrived at v.a- that .er such .irenm- | salives it was v.-ry unlikely ti.at the j disease eould lie tram mite d from tho ! patient. Every pre>-aut!on was taken, land no visitor was admitted to a bedside unless the ease was particularly . bad. No inhaling ehamber was stationed there for disinfecting the visitors, as this was thought to be unnecessary, as the contagion had to be communicated direct, and it was highly improbable that this eould be done. Colonel \\ vile lias also given a reassuring opinion on the subject. He states that if r, person merely speaks to or is in constant contact with an influenza patient, it is quite impossible for the former to infect a third person. He (the first-mentioned) must first actually contract The disease before he can become a source of infection to another. VACCiNE TREATMENT. The vaccine treatment is now operative at the Christchurch Hospital, but insufficient time lias elapsed since its inception to judge fully of its efficacy. Colonel Wylie stated further that Hr. Pearson, the bacteriologist, had made a vaccine with tiie special organism which is responsible for tho severe symptoms, and which was likely to be effective, if anything in the nature of a vaccine could be, in fighting the scourge. Colonel Wylie does not, however, yet feel inclined to make a definite statement on the results before being reasonably sure whether this particular method of treatment is of value to the patients. PATROL WORKERS WANTED. The services of at least 50 patrol workers are wanted in different parts of the city, and all who arc willing to take up work in this connection are asked to apply to the Town Clerk at The City Council Chambers. S.O.S. cards will be supplied for distribution by tho patrolmen on their rounds. Patrolmen are advised not to conclude that a house is empty because no one answers a ring at the door, cases being on record where tHe inmates wore perfectly helpless and unable to answer the door when a patrol called. The West Christchurch district sends out an earnest appeal for helpers. Th© district being largely an industrial one. there are comparatively few residents who are afc!“ to give voluntary service. The small band of workers associated with the district has been working at a very high tension and is sorely in need of reinforcements. All Riccarton patrolmen are making a fresh patrol of the borough to-.lay. The depot at Riccarton has need of move men and women workers. to relieve those who have stood tho strain of tho past few days. TRAMWAY BOARD PRECAUTIONS. The Tramway Board propose to rigorously carry our the isedation m-tructmiis of the Puidh- Health IVparxm-mt. Employees who have suffered from influenza will not be permitted to return to work under a fortnight. unless they present a dc-tor's certificate, i Seme financin', provision is being made to meet the unusual situation. This will I probably mean that the tramway service J will be further red-n-c.r and the dislo-j.-ation extend over a longer period than (was at first anticipated, but a- the arrangement is in the interest of the eni- ; i.lovee- who have not been ailVeted. as I well a- tne rc-t of the community, it is j .hoped tHo pii'nli- w ill receive the -dtuaI’lon v.oii equanimity. IN THE SUBURBS. LYTTELTON. i Despite the drenching downpour of | rain, which continued till 1 o’clock yes- : terdny afternoon, the S.-niur raids did ient n lax their efforts in .- tpp!;. lag the ! maiiv fan-Hies v.i'li louii-hn • at from j the kitchen in the Goleuist-* Hail. | isuhicieat soap fei -■> p.iti.-uts w..» sapI plied to those in the new auxiliary j ward, ami altogether about f-> gallons j were .list i ibutcd To faiaii.. - in I heir ..wu I homes. Donat ions of . ommoditb's for ! the making < f the various delicacies iwete receive! in nut :-f:;.-’.>rv > imutities. I Ti.e -uppi. .:■■ m-v. ;:k. •> g a‘ i- ■ toastv I.v Mr Fm an . ilr I.dg.ir, j dairy was .'s c.-i: fly . ■’.•.l for (the making of distaid-. Botths of j wine were provid'd by Mrs S. Brooking j for the jellies. Cooking utensils sv.llij. iciit for Till requirements were by | Mr K. 11. Henderson. Several persons I offered genes«ais monetary assistance, i but the members of the Women’s National Reserve, while feeling very i grateful, decided to defer taking money i contributions until their own reserve • begins to dwindle. Tlie several work- | men engaged at the fitting out of tho new auxiliary ward in the Ciub Halt got through a lot of useful work ver expeditiously. The building xvas thor oughly cleaned, scrubbed., and disiu fected, and towards the evening ill bed had been erected. It is understood tlia there is a likelihood of the origins casualty ward being abolished as i ; hospital. What now seems to be almost I a glaring necessity is a convalescent i home of some kind, because in the I ordinary course of events patients will jlieneefoith be discharged from day to day, and many of them, especially seafaring men, have no homes of their own. Then, while they are in the convalescent stage, they would still require careful treatment in the nature of nourishing food, and this, under the present conditions, might not always be available. Again it is scarcely safe to allow them to mingle with the public. Godley j House would have suited the require- ; incuts of such a homo admirably had

the In-In nml bedding noi been trnnsforrod to Ih« two now hospitals. An equally desirable plnee, however, would lie the quarantine station :it Quail Islnml, which has nlromly most of (ln> furnishings and equipment required. Hero there would In' nil agreeable outlot, nml pnlitMitH would in nil probability recuperate llioir honlth much inoro quickly by tin' change of surroundings. Dr. t'hosson having '" ,|MI nppronehod yesterday evening by Mr I- A. Stringer rondih granted the use of (In* (jiiarmi lim> Station on (jjunil Island for flio nrcommndatioii of seafaring |>.'tticnls. Kai'li |iationt is to lip allowed to renin in on (ho island for nay 10 days. This morning Mr'\V. S.' Wliarlon, secretary of the Nortli C.-iulorburv Hos pilnl anil Charitable Aid Hoard, and Mill. H. Snronsen, chairman of (ho Hos |iilnl Committee, mot representatives of On- Seamen's Instituto, Hritisli and |'\iroign Sailors' Societv, Seamen 's Union", iliid Borough Councillors, and discussed I In- |irovi-iion of a convalescent lionio at Quail Island. II was dtvidp.l In fall in with Hip nrr.-ingouipnl made willi Dr I'liesson, and Mr S. Bine.', Superintendent of Hip Seamen's Mis Kion. Mr 1., A. Stringer, Town Clerk, nml Mrs M. .!. Miller were a|i|'ointed an executive to 1.-iUe all net ossary steps. 1! is intended In use I lie island as a eon vatoscenl dopol for all persons diselianre.l from Hip Lytlollon llospilal. Tlipre are indications now of Hie epidemic having reaehed its turning point, despilp Hie fact that there was on.- death yesterday at the old casually ward, while another was repelled to Inivp taken plaeo al Pott Lew. There were no n.1.1il ional eases admitted In Hie new auxiliary ward, and all of the :Y> under treatment are progressing satisl'aelorilv. Sister MrClnlehio, from I!h- t'hrislehureh Hospital, who has (alien Sisler (loading's plaee, is now assisted l>v :in ellieienl stall' el' volun larv nurses, including Miss Meikle, Miss Thorpe, Mrs W. .1. Austin, Mrs Cmi!., Mrs I'errv, Mrs tVirns, Mrs TredennieU. and.' Mrs Briggs, these Indies acini,; in turn as day or night nurses, with Mr K. * -iiiriiM and Mr \V. Newl'u 1.1 :ih orderlies. Mrs Woods was Hie nurse in charge of the old casually ward yesterday. A NF.W REGULATION. [From Our Own I'm-linini-nlni v Reporter.l WKI,I,INCTON, November 'JO. Tin- lion. (.'. W. Russell is requesting Hint nil eilies, boroughs and town dis In,-is iiiime.liiilely establish publie dis infecting and fuinigating elianibers, nil clothing and bedding used by patients (e be passed through the-..- unless dealt with privately to (he satisfaction of the sanitary inspoetor. Sales, auetion or pur. hasp bv second hand dealers of bedding ar'.i clothing are prohibited utiles* the material is eertitied as having passed through a publie ehainber. \i the bar.Us ail notes, and ai the libraries all books, must he disinfected before ve issue. Tlk' general nonunion position is mneh impro> ed to da> . NOTES ON THE SITUATION. In consequence nf roprosentnl ions made to linn by the rliristeliureh Hoot Kolnilors and ' Repairers' Association, the Distriet Health Officer has dire,-ted, in the interests of the publie health, that all boot retail,,i U nod repairing shops in Hie Christ,-liureh metropolitan distriet be closed until Monday next. On Saturday the question id' extending the period of closing will be considered. ''One lesson I have learnt in eonnoetien oilli the epidemie, " said the lion, (i. W. Kusspll in the Mouse of Rep resell - tatives, ''is that our education system requires to be extended in practical value to the people by training being given to youths and girls so that they will be aide to take temperatures and give aid in eases of necessity. A very

large number of the present deaths have been I lie result, of ignorance and neglect, and could have been prevented if Hie generation had the knowledge indicated." Regarding Hie dislocation of the ferry service, members asked in Parliament why a (ioverninent steamer had not been commissioned. The Hon, T. M. Will'ord replied that the llinenioa was ready to sail as soon as she secured a crew. Among the deaths reported from in lluen/a "is Mr 11. van Staveron, Hie youngest sou of the .lewisli Kabbi in Wellington. The picture people (stales a Welling 1 ton Press Association message) asked the lion. (.'. W. Itllf II to open all the i houses simultaneously, but the Minister! would not commit himself. lie said ,01c dnilv performance may be allowed at lir-il. He would consider the qnes , 11,, a oi' mil door performances. Tlo- authorities says a Press Assn I ,-iat no, in,-- age from Wellington) con I ileum overcrowding and dirt us largely responsible t'ol the ravages of the epi demic. Sonic startling cases have been, forced under their notice by this out j break. ' _ The t'hrislehureh Amateur Swimming' < lub announce that the Harris (up I competition which was to have been held on November 2S, has been post pone,l indellnitelv. The Dominion'Conipressed Yeast Co., 1,1,1., has tilled up an inhalation 1 chamber with twelve sprays al their premises al Ihe corner of Anl i--.ua Street and MoorhoUHP Avenue. This will be open to Hie public between 7 a.m. and !> p.m. Tin- hiving of Hie foundation alone al Hi, w Methodist Church al Shirley has been postponed. Messrs Wood Pros., the Mom mi Hers, ask that to assist in urranging the delivery of Hour customers should place their orders as earlv as possible. Mr b. .leanings," baker, of Monfronl Street, will not be able to deliver bread lor a lew da vs. The caucus of Liberal members of Purl.ainonl. called for to day. has b 1 postponed on account of the absence of so 111:1 nv members. The severe cases anion;; members include the lion. W. I>. S. MncDonnld. The Hereford Street. ollice of the National Mortgage and Agency Co., 1,1,1., will remain closed until Monday next, bill urgent orders for manures and seeds sent in by letter will receive attention. The Mavor ( Mr 11. Holland) .acknowledges the following donations to tinfund for combating the epidemic: A. I. Rattray, £lfi I.V ; W. 11. Seed, £5 5/ ; Ballnnlyno's Employee's (Men's Dp partmeutt, I':! 2/ ; Anonymous, CI. The Mayor ( Mr 11. Holland) visited a number of the depots this morning, and found everything working well. He will visit the remainder this after noon. Dr. A. Foster has been appointed to the New Brighton district, and Mr (I. Payne has kindly offered to drive the doctor about. There is an urgent need in this district for women nurses. The banks in Chrisichiirch, including the Lyttelton ollices of the Hank of New Zealand nml I'nion Hank of Alls tralia, closed at noon today, and will remain closed until WodnoHilay next. The staffs of the ollices of' solicitors, members of the Canterbury Haw So piety, have ceased work until further notice. Urgent business may bo trans 'acted with principals from <i..'to a.m. to 11 a.m. each da v. Messrs Whiteonibe & Tombs, 1,1,1., will close their retail department daily at I p.m. until further no! ice. It is announced that 11 leading ware houses will close daily at 1 p.m. until further notice. The Canterbury Automobile Association ask the publie to assist in every possible way those motorcars and motorcycles with the "Relief" cards so that their work may be expedited.

Owing to influenza the Otngo A. & P. Sociely has decided lo postpone its .summer show. Dr. MneGiblion, who was in charge of tin' Royal Hotel hospital, has been taken ill with the epidemic, and Dr. Hendry, from the queen Mary Hospital ill llanmer, is now in command. A meeting will be held in the Hap list Church, Lincoln Road, this even ing lo 111 ranee for (he establishment of a depnl in the Hillmorlen district. The Chrisichiirch Dairy Coinpauv, 1,1,1., has offered lo supply Hie West Christ, hurch district with up lo 50 gab lons of milk and cream, also butler, for Use of patients, ('ream cans have also been lent by Iho coinpnny for convey in,; soup from kitchens to the depot. All inter club bowling matches set down fur Saturday nest, have been postponed by Ihe executive, of Iho Christ, hurch Ventre of the Dominion Howling Association. The Trillion Hall has been placed at the disposal of the authorities for ,-iuv use deemed advisable. Tin- Hi till' al the iusl.itulion has also volunteered for sery ice in anv enpncil v. for M-versi days past the Telegnipll I'eparl it has had men d isill fed in,; Ihe publie telephone lmx»s. There were on mistakable signs (hat the boxes had been used for oilier purposes Ihan in tended, and the public are asked lo a-. sii I the department in it leavour to protei t the public health. COUNTRY DISTRICTS. RANCHOUA. The position nl Rangiorn is about the same, I here being no diminution notice able, Two deaths have 1 lined, and there are several severe eases. All arraiieeinenls for coping with the trouble are working mnonllily, and reports are coining regularly lo hand from the various blocks in which the town has b lividcl. The inhalation chamber is being freely availed of. KAIAPOI. I'.very effort is being put forward lo cope with the epidemic. The council has taken over the 'technical .School as a temporary hospital. Twenty beds are to be ready to day. There was a. slight, im provcmenl reported in a few of the worst cases, only one death being recorded to day. A few more have b, added to the dangerous list. The services of another trained nurse and a V.A.D. worker have 1 11 1 ureil. The Mavor (Mr .1. 11. Blitckwoll) has worked hard in c-very way possible, and has been well supported by flic council. Al I, 100 cases were reported aI. the Woollen Mills on Tuesday. IN OTHER CENTRES. A STEADY IMPROVEMENT. AUCKLAND. .... /V.-m AMorio'ion. AUCKLAND, November I'll. Very few new cases of inlluen/.a have been reported since Sunday, and reassuring reports are being received from the various hospitals. During Hie L'l hours to midnight, there were 12 deaths in ho .pitals, against 20 in the previous 21 hours. : There are fewer culls for nurses, and some have been released to meet calls from the country ilist.rir.Ut. The block com mi flees report, the position now(well in hand in tin- city and suburbs. WELLINGTON. J'r>.v« Association. WKLLINHTON, Nov her 20. At Plimmei ton many Natives about 50 whites are down with in lluenza, and three Natives have die.!. I In the city the position is gradually j but. certainly improving. Petoi-.e is making a publie. prote:it I against the proposal to billet LI soldiers in the drill hall, which is situ-

. ateil in ii eongeslcil ai'en. Tho Mayor i of Potoiio linn offered the line u( ilio Hull I'ark ImiMiniei. TIMARU. Prnm AnnnriaKnn. TIM API', Nnveniliev 20. Tiiiiiirn nppcni'H In hnvo erected de I'eiii'en lignilinl the epidemic in good lime. Roth oltieinl mid voluntary winkers are now expressing I lie opinion Hint I lie ili:ie;ine in well ill hand. The lionpitnl reports! one dentil in lln- Inst, 21 hoiirn. AI, prenenl there lire in cases in Hie innfMillion, three of which hit iliwrilied mm nevero. OTAtIO AND SOUTHLAND. rrm» A**»riatlnn IM'NKDIN, Novemlier 20. The inlliieir/,,'1 mil illciil ions for Oliijrii lllnl Wool lilnml loilllV were .'ln, one more than yealer.lnv. The number of eases in ll,e Hum.,ln, Hospital iH 20S, an in erenso of four. The position in well in fin ml. aouE. Pivm Ammrlnllnn. lIOUK, Novemlier 20. Inlli m, wliieli liml lieen prevalent for m, in,.,,11,, 1,,.,.Mine mm hj neeenliinleil ill I he piinl week. A temporary hospital him I filleil up nl Mm Here rne erse. The iiulhori lien nml Vijrili e(' millee am Ink i ini; Mil po.'lH.lile slcpn lo mini!,Ml Urn ilisinc.e. I'.miiiie::! ill plliel ieally 111 II Hl.lllldslill, nml Hliopa lire limn.; 'elo'ieil nl I o'eloi k. I»r Mallhcv, i i ; i,muni. Hie victims. The lolnl dealliH in I lie district altVililllalile lo I lie , nniplliinl :.o far lire alioiil ii ,ii,/, n. INVERCAROILL. I'rmt AnanrlalUn. INVKIK'AIKiIIJ., Noveml.er 20. The epiilemie in .ilill Hpreinl inn in Hie town nml ilintriet. The Irani nml l.rnin riervi.-ei, have 1 n eiirlnile I, nml l»u ii nenn in iliHorKiiliine.l. Auinii!.; Ihone who have n uinlim! in HiMiior Hei-|ieinil liurrowe'i, who joiueil j Hie police force in ISHI.