Influenza bad at Owaka

Mr W. E. S. Knight (chairman of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board), Dr

Kenneth Ross, and the Rev. H. O. Fenton (representing the Central Bureau) have visited South Otago.

At Owaka things were really bad so far as the number of cases was concerned. The people of the district realised the seriousness of the position, and formed themselves into a committee, with Mr Maginness as chairman and Mr Walker as secretary. The Technical School had been transformed into a temporary hospital, and the two cooking ranges were found to be most useful. There were 23 male patients in the school, the female patients being accommodated in the Presbyterian Church close by. It appears that three soldiers who had recently returned from the front had married nurses in England, who had returned with them. These three women proved a godsend to those who had been stricken by the trouble. Dr Stenhouse is the medical man, and his time is very fully occupied. In the Tahakopa district, where there is a population of 300 all told, only 12 were

able to be on their feet. The stocks of drugs were not sufficient, and it was arranged to forward a supply. There was also urgent need for a better means of communication with Owaka, and a request has been made to the railway authorities for a motor jigger to be placed at the disposal of Dr Stenhouse.