Invisible enemy: Nelson’s 1918 lockdown
Just over a century ago, Nelson and New Zealand went into a long lockdown to fight another invisible enemy. Tim Newman reports.
At New Zealand’s moment of victory in the First World War, the Spanish Flu made its way to the Nelson region.
When news of the German surrender came through to Nelson on November 11, preparations were made to celebrate the conclusion of the five-year-long conflict.
Over the next few days, peace celebrations were held throughout the region, from Nelson and Richmond through to Dovedale and Takaka.
On Wednesday November 13, thousands of people lined the streets of Nelson for a procession from the Drill Shed on Harley St to Trafalgar Park.
Along with music and speeches, fireworks were set off and effigies of the Kaiser, German Crown Prince Wilhelm and General Hindenburg were burned on a great bonfire.
Amid the jubilation, however, other measures were already being taken to fight a new war on a different front.
In other parts of the country the flu had already arrived and started to take its toll. In Auckland dozens of people had already been killed by the virus, with thousands more being infected.
On Thursday November 14, an urgent telegram had been sent from Minister of Health George Russell to every Town Board throughout the country to call an immediate public meeting.
Due to the severity of the outbreak, Russell said it was rendered necessary ‘‘that the entire strength of the population should be enlisted to meet the danger’’.
EARLY PRECAUTIONS TAKEN
A week earlier, the first signs of the approach of the disease were the arrival of incoming ships to Port Nelson.
Travelling from Auckland, the collier Kakapo had been diverted from Westport due to bad weather – and was carrying eight sailors sick with the flu.
On November 8 the ship docked at the port, and on the same day the ship’s second officer, A W Duncan, succumbed to the flu and died.
The Nelson Evening Mail reported that Nelson Health Board chairman T Neale had been ‘‘indignant’’ about the situation, after hearing four sick sailors had been allowed to leave port in Auckland.
‘‘Of what use, it is asked, is it for the Boards to take the necessary precautions if vessels are permitted to carry the disease from port to port?’’ the Mail editorialised.
‘‘Nelson could not refuse to receive the stricken members of