NUMBER YOUR GATE!

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1490, 21 November 1918, Page 5

NUMBER YOUR GATE!

The efficiency of the influenza campaign is often greatly hindered by small matters that are overlooked by the public, one of them being the numbering of houses. Doctors -working at high pressure, nurses, messengers and others often lose valuable time through being unable to perceive the number of a house without search and investigation, and householders are asked to see that i the numbers of their houses are plainly indicated on the entrance gatepost. To have the number on the building is not sufficient, as in that case it is often invisible from the road. The Mayor particularly requests that the public -will perceive the urgency of the request, and put it into execution at once. He I further suggests that citizens should I themselves paint the numbers on their gate posts. On white posts the figures should be in black, and on dark-coloured posts they should be indicated by white figures. For the information of patrols and others, the Mayor states that in streets running from east to west the numbering in the city, and in most of the suburbs, he believes, is from the west, the higher numbers being to the east, and ill those running from north to south the numbering commences from the south. FOOLISH TELEPHONE USERS. Stop using the telephone to make frivolous and unnecessary inquiries. It seems amazing that after the position of the exchange authorities has been so often stressed, it should be necessary to repeat this request. The bulk of the telephone subscribers are adopting a reasonable attitude and taking care not to make themselves a nuisance, but there are gross exceptions. Yesterday morning a woman rang up the exchange three times to ask for the time—and yesterday was the worst day the exchange has had this week! One man rang up four times in an hour to ask the time! The exchange operator is unable to discriminate. The call may be due to an urgent case of sickness, and so the operator responds to it as promptly as the rush conditions will permit. And while she takes a call for the time or some other nonsensical matter a subscriber whose need is urgent must wait. Subscribers are asked to make sure before ringing that they have the number ready —the exchange has no time to search for numbers for lazy people. In future, no inquiries of a frivolous nature will be i nswered by the exchange till normal conditions return. It has become necessary to adopt this course to repress those whose lack of understanding and sympathy has made useless the appeals that the majority of the subscribers have responded to.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. EVERY PRECAUTION BEING TAKEN. During the period that the Public Library has been closed, the staff has been busy, and the place has received a thorough overhaul. All the books have been removed from the shelves and thoroughly fumigated, and the place has been scrubbed and disinfected.

As the books that are out come in, they are at once disinfected, and any that are in a bad condition are immediately -destroyed. The Canterbury College Board of Governors, which has charge of the library, realise the possible danger to the community by the transmission of infection per medium of the books, and are determined to leave nothing undone. The library will not be re-opened until all danger is past, and when the issue of books is again undertaken, the public can rest assured that the board will have taken every possible step to ensure the protection of the health of subscribers.

LYTTELTON. After the establishment of two emergency hospitals to accommodate an aggregate of about 70 patients, there is now in progress of equipment a convalescent home at Quail Island for patients discharged from the two hospitals. This morning a- number of workmen, comprising members of the local Tire Brigade, the Union Company's staff, Borough Council's employees, with Mr L. A. Stringer, Mr H. H. Barnard and Mr S. Booth, proceeded to Quail Island. It is presumed that the building will be ready for occupation by to-morrow evening. There will be ' accommodation for 40 patients, in addition to ample quarters for the volunteer staff. Mrs M. J. Miller, president of the Lyttelton Ladies' Guild of the Seamen's Institute, will be permanently in charge. Her assistants for the time being are Mrs Clow and Miss Hull, with others to follow. It is understood that an offer of something like .'io beds has already been made. The funds necessary to maintain the home will be supplied by the public and local bodies, and the shipping interests can be relied on for support. Dr. ITpham has consented to act as honorary medical adviser, and no person will be admitted to the home without a certificate from him as to eligibility. Under the quarantine regulations, visitors will not be permitted at the home. The executive would feel deeply grateful for gifts of such commodities as poultry, fruit, vegetables, etc. Yesterday the lady workers in the Cook Kitchen had a most strenuous time, fulfilling orders, their output of soup being 40 gallons, or about double the quantity of the preceding day. Both hospitals were twice supplied, while a quantity was dispatched to Eapaki. The general opinion on Tuesday appeared to be that the epidemic was'abating, but yesterday Dr. Uphani had about double the number of patients to visit. The five remaining patients have been transferred from the old casualty ward to the new emergency hospital, wherein there was a total last night of 30 patients —25 males and five females, some of whom were rather seriously affected. One death occurred this morning. DEMOBILISATION. EMPTYING THE CAMPS. Press Association. WELLINGTON, November 21. Men are now being released from the camps as- fast as the doctors can give them a clean bill of health. The provision of transport, however, is affecting repatriation of the South [slanders. The Samoa garrison will be demobilised as soon as possible. Influenza has broken out there, and is spreading. Assistance has been cabled for, but cannot be spared from New Zealand. The Minister is trying to arrange for medical aid from Sydney. NOTES ON THE SITUATION. Under the new block system of medical assistance in Greater Christchurch, Dr. L. S. Manning was allocated to the North Central Christchurch amalgamated district. This morning, however, Dr. Manning became ill, and so his place in the scheme has been taken by Dr. A. F. J. Mickle. Major J. E. Thomas, N.Z.M.C., has

returned to Christchurch, and has taken up medical work in the Waltham and Sydenham district, in the new scheme of medical service of influenza patients. The inhalation chamber arranged in the basement of the Government Buildings, Cathedral Square, is to be open for use by the public from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Telegraphic advice received by the District Health Officer this morning from Mr L. Birks was to the effect that both the nurses at Lake Coleridge have been laid up. One nurse was going up, but another was urgently needed, together with a doctor. The schoolroom had been converted into a hospital. It has been arranged, in response to Mr Birks's appeal, that Sergeant 11. A. Glasson, N.Z.M.C., with a helper, shall be sent up, and efforts are being made to obtain a doctor also.

A sub-depot has been established at Waltham, with a trained nurse and good assistance. This district was patrolled up to 8 a.m. to-day, and a list of 12 cases requiring medical aid was received. Many bad cases were cleared out of the district vesterdav.

A difficulty which is now presenting itself is that of linking up some of the outlying places around the city, such as Marshland and Belfast, with depots, and of providing them with medical aid. At a meeting held at the Lincoln Road Baptist Church last evening to organise a depot for the Hillmorten and Taukerville districts, it was decided to establish a depot at Miss M. Newman's residence, 105 Lincoln Road, telephone 4333. The Rev. 0. McHattie was appointed chairman and Miss Newman secretary. Mrs Ward, Miss Drain and Messrs D. Sykes, E. H. Marriner and McKessor were appointed a committee, and patrols were appointed. The matron of the Metropolitan Trotting Grounds Hospital appeals for clean white rags in any quantity, for the use of the patients. The general secretary of the Y.W.C.A. (Miss G. Owen) is herself an influenza patient after giving her services to nurse others. She is progressing favourably. Miss Hardie (Girls' Department secretary), and several members are helping at the Plunket Babies' Hospital, Cashmere, others are at the Royal Hotel, helping the district nurses, or nursing their own families. Several Y.W.C.A. girls, on the closing of their offices at midday, give their services to the central depot, and two have been able to give night duty. Through the severe illness of the staff, the headquarters office of the Dominion Boy Scout Association will be closed until further orders. An Order-in-Council authorises the Judges to clear the office of the Supreme Court at any place to be closed for any period not exceeding one week at a time, in the event of the present or any future epidemic rendering that course advisable.

Hillsborough residents are holding a meeting at the Opawa School this evening to organise relief. Householders are particularly asked to note that the S.O.S. cards are not to be displayed unless in case of illness or urgency. One was shown in a certain house in Christchurch yesterday, and when a Scout called he was asked to post a letter! Butchers' shops are to be kept open until 5 p.m. instead of 3 p.m. This is to prevent overcrowding the shops, and also to afford more time for procuring meat, especially in view of the requirements of invalids. An inhalation car has been stationed by the Tramway Board at the Linwood Cemetery, for the use of persons attending funerals. Additional cars have also been placed in Linwood Avenue, near Aldwin 's Road, and at the Cranford Street terminus. Twenty-three cars are now in operation. Patrols are urgently required for block 13, and are asked to call at the Christchurch Garage, 94 Gloucester Street, immediately.

The Amuri County Council has provided an inhalation chamber in the Amuri Drill Hall, Culverden, for residents and travellers. There will be no sale at Tattersall "s on Saturday on account of the epidemic. A number of reports have be?n made to the Mayor (Mr H. Holland) regarding children, coming from homes visited by the epidemic, playing with other children who belong to uninfected homes. Mr Holland has strongly condemned this practice as being most dangerous, and likely to spread infection. He hopes that parents will endeavour to prevent the mixing of children in the manner referred to. The Christchurch retail dairymen have issued a request to the public to leave receptacles for milk as near the gate as possible, preferably in a suitable box attached to a fence, in order to minimise the danger of infection. There is an immense run on anything in the line of gravy beef or mutton, to the neglect of prime legs of mutton and prime roast beef.' Supplies are running short, and an attempt is being made to induce some customers to use for soup purposes parts generally used as roasts. A serious position threatens unless the suggestion of a city butcher is adopted —namely, that all who are not suffering should refrain from ordering meats used for soups. "The teachers are really coming forward first-rate," said Mr'H. B. Sorensen to a Sl'.y representative this morning. He quoted a number of instances in which teachers were doing valuable work. In one house there was one teacher wdio sat up all night with a patient, while two others went out to do the washing and other work for the large family. The Ota'yo A. and I\ Association's show has been postponed till January L'i) and '!0.

Many business firms announce in our advertising columns that their premise; will be closed at 1 p.m. till further notice.

The Supreme Court office in Christchurch will be closed from Monday next to Saturday, November 30.

Aii appeal is made to the. women of Rieearton to volunteer for work in fighting the epidemic'.

More motor curs are needed to fight the epidemic. The Canterbury Automobile Association invites members with cars to report in front of Nurse Maude's Depot. The position over at the bays is very bad. At Okain's, where there is a large dairy factory, all the hands have been completely prostrated, and the milking of 47 cows devolves upon one lad. A few men or lads aide to milk are urgently required. Their fares will be paid, and they will be paid for their work. Anyone willing to assist should report at once to the Nurse Maude Depot. The Awapuni Camp is now clear of disease. There is only one serious ea-e at Palmerston. A meeting of residents of Hillsborough will be held this evening for the purpose of organising relief in the district. Owing to the epidemic the Belfast motor 'bus will not run until further notice. The Addington Relief Depot was launched yesterday in St. Mary's Schoolroom, under the management of Mrs \Y. Bowden, Miss Bowden, and Mr 0. Billcliff. Up to 5 p.m. about 38 homes had been assisted. In addition, eight appli- uinci

cations had been made to the Central Depot for urgent medical attendance. Several cases were removed to the hos« pital. Yesterday's experience has re» vealed the need for a tiained nurse to be attached to the depot. Residents in need of, or able to render, help are again requested to call or ring 612 without delay. Donations in ca c h or goods will be gratefully acknowledged.

Dr Mac Gibbon, who was in charge of the Royal Hotel Hospital, and who contracted influenza, is reported this after* noon as being rather better.