THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13937, 12 December 1918, Page 4

THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

FINANCIAL AID NEEDED. £ s. d. Already acknowledged .. 453 10 ftMatthews Bros 25 0 0 Total .. .. £478 10 6 THE OUTBREAK AT TE AKAU. At yesterday's meeting of the Raglan County Council, Cr. Otway mentioned that rhere had 'teen a serious outbreak of epidemic amongst the natives in the Te Akau district. Mr Henry ascertained the position, und rendered all possible help, summoning the doctor from Ngaiuawahia, who remained there overnight. Som 0 12 or 14 natives died in one night. Mr C. McDonald then volunteered his services as nurse, and remained in the settlements for three weeks, with such success that there were only two further fatal cases. A certain amount of expense had l>een incurred in connection with the matter (Mr McDonald refused to accept any remuneration), and Cr. OtwUy asked who would lie responsible; it was not right that the settlers who had incurred the liability should be required to meet same. Cr. Otway was fuvised to refer the settlers to the Hospital Board.

ASSISTANCE FOR FIJI. 87 Telegraph.—Preta Association. WELLINGTON, Thursday. Dr. E. J. Jennings, of Christchurch, who was chairman of one of the medical boards under the Military Service Act, and who has since been engaged in fighting the epidemic in Canterbury, is one of the party selected for medical service at Fiji. This party is being sent at the request of the Governor of that colony. Dr. Jennings will take with him five other medical men and about 20 medical orderlies. There was a suggestion that nurses should be sent, but it has not been found practicable to arrange for this. The party is to sail in the Talune. It is reported that Suva has suffered terribly from the epidemic of influenza; which is now raging there,

THE QUEBTION OF ORPHANS. MINISTER OF HEALTH'S VIEW: DEPARTMENTS AT VARIANCE. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday.

A Hospital and Charitable Aid Board deputation interviewed Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Health, regarding the rare of children rendered orphans by the influenza epidemic. The chairman, Mr Baldwin, said so far they had information of 205 children in the district who had lost father or mother, or both, and a few more cases were yet to be reported.

Mr Russell said he could not see how the Government could differentiate in favour of children rendered orphans by the epidemic as against those who had lo9t their parents by some other disaster. The question was only another phase of the problem that was always with us. There must be a clear line of demarcation between the responsibilities of the Education and Health Departments. There was a strong feeling in favour of these children being placed under adoption,, and he thought applications should be sought from country people prepared to adopt the. children. The Government should pay them an amount equal to the cost of the maintenance of the children in an institution. The children would thus get the advantage of a healthy home life.

POSITION OF SEAMEN. OUTBREAK ON AUSTRALIAN . TRANSPORT. (United Press Association.) Received Dec. 12, 1 p.m. SYDNEY, Dec. 12. The Searijen's Union does not object to its members signing on on the M&nuka, Moeraki, or any other steamer provided the crew's quarters are healthy and comfortable. The New South Wales branch of the union has endorsed the resolution adopted by the Victorian branch that it considered the accommodation provided for the crews on shipboard was wholly responsible for the introduction of Spanish influenza into New Zealand, and urging the Federal authorities to take the necessary steps to improve such accommodation.

the transport Boonah, which was' recalled on reaching South Africa, hasreturned to Fremantle. She has 300 Influenza cases aboard, and there has been one death.