’Flu In N.G.

Heavy Toll on Goldfields

Work Held Up

AN influenza epidemic, which proved to be of a very serious nature, broke out on the New Guinea goldfields early in August, and work generally was held up.

Although many of the whites on the field were affected there were no deaths among them. The natives, however, fared worse. It is unofficially estim ated that 60 of the labourers died.

Conditions on the goldfields are now normal.

Where the visitation appears to have had disastrous results was up the Markham River, near the goldfields. It is rumoured—but not officially con firmed—that 25 per cent. of the natives in this locality died as a result of the epidemic.

The origin of the epidemic is not known, but it is thought by some to have reached the goldfields from Rabaul. As was stated in last issue, I gastric influenza was raging in Rabaul early in July, and 400 indentured lab ourers had been admitted to the Rapindik Native Hospital, which was taxed to its limits.

Case On Tofua

Very strict precautions were taken at Apia, Samoa, this month, following a case of influenza appearing aboard the Tofua, which maintains a service be tween Auckland and Samoa. The nine passengers who disembarked there were quarantined, and labourers working the cargo had to wear masks. The Cus toms officials and the wharf were also quarantined.