INFLUENZA PREVALENT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19933, 18 October 1934, Page 5

INFLUENZA PREVALENT

EDUCATIONAL AUTHORITIES CONCERNED By Telegrapn-Hiess Association AUCKLAND, October 17. An outbreak of influenza is causing some concern among education authorities in Auckland as attendances at both primary and secondary schools are being depleted at the most important period of the year. In some schools more than 25 per cent, of the pupils are absent. Whooping cough also is prevalent. The outbreak is particularly serious in view of the nearness of the examinations, especially the matriculation and proficiency tests.

At the beginning of this week 27 per cent of the pupils of the Auckland Girls’ Grammar School were absent, although the position has improved slightly since then. At the Mount Albert Grammar School the average j number of absentees over a fortnight ! was 80, while on one day 95 boys were I away. The position at the Auckland I Grammar School was bad at the end of last term, but improved for a week after the holidays and became progressively worse until the week ; ended October 5, when an average of 90 boys were absent daily. Last Moni day was the peak day at the Takapuna j Grammar School, 112 pupils being * away. The primary schools have suffered in the same manner, and have had to contend with additional trouble caused by whooping cough.

Dr Hughes, Medical Officer of Health, said the illness was not of a serious type, and was quite natural at this time of the year.