Bad ’Flu

Epidemic in Tahiti

Papeete, Aug. 10.

EARLY in July, a steamer came in from the States and apparently brought us a new type of influenza, which promptly became epidemic. The disease attacks the throat, intestines and kidneys.

The influenza, by the end of July, had become more virulent in character. It is a type never before seen in these islands.

All schools, assembly places, and, most important of all, the “Honky-tonks,” have been closed.

The honky-tonks are the breeding places of all epidemic, diseases. The people off ships go directly to these un wholesome places. In the dead atmos phere of foul air, one coughing con valescent can infect a multitude.

An average of three or four deaths occurred daily in July. Public schools, scheduled to re-open on July 26, after a holiday, are remaining closed “until further notice.”

A SOCIAL evening will he held jointly by the New Guinea Women’s Club of Sydney and the Pacific Territories Association on Friday, September 17, at 8 p.m., in the Feminist Club rooms, 77 King Street, Sydney.

This is a new venture for the Pacific Territories Association, whose attention has been focussed on the sterner things of evacuee life, and it is hoped that this initial co-operative effort between two New Guinea organisations will be an unqualified success.

Tahiti’s hospital is already over crowded, and additional beds are being put into the rooms.

Six months ago, when Tahiti was in the throes of a “cat plague,” which swept away a large percentage of the island’s cat population with a disease termed cat cholera, Tahitian prognosticators said it would be followed by an epidemic that would affect humanity. This was the case in 1918, before Tahiti’s memorable and devastating influenza epidemic, which took nearly one-fourth of the population.

With the epidemic thought now to be under control, it is not considered likely that any outside help will be requested. . Mr. L. J. Warren, who was manager of the Rarotongan branch of the Union Steamship Co. for seven years, has re cently been appointed assistant manager of the Auckland branch.

Correction!

It was reported in the August issue of the “PIM,” that two members of the New Guinea Branch of the RSSAILA, Dr. E. T. Brennan and Mr. H. L. Down ing, had resigned from the executive of the Branch. This is not the case: although these gentlemen have resigned from the positions of vice-president and secretary respectively, they remain members of the executive.