The Dream Swimmer, page 4
[It is likely that the Spanish flu entered Gisborne by one of the regular ships from Auckland. Flu victims were aboard the Mako when it left Auckland on 27 October bound for Gisborne. The first recorded Gisborne death was a tally clerk at the wharf on 4 November. Two crew members on the Mako died before it reached Napier.]
29 October
An Extraordinary event. A young Maori woman came to seek assistance at the Hospital. I have never seen such Beauty in a Native of this country. Had it not been for her moko, which reminds me of the tattoo Disfigurement among some tribes in my native South Africa, I would not have taken her for a Native at all. No Natives are accepted here. Her name is Riripeti Pere.
6 November
I knew as soon as I saw her that my Destiny was linked with the young Maori woman. Today she sent one of her Natives to me. She proposes to establish a Hospital for the Natives and has asked my assistance. Yet we have only exchanged a few words.
There is no other option but to Go. My dear Papa would say, ‘Typical of Victoria, typical.’ He never understood my wish to serve the Natives of our own South Africa. I will not be Thwarted by his tyranny again.
I am packed and ready to leave. Doctor Bellamy is livid and Angry beyond Description. Tallyho, Victoria! I leave the White people here in Good hands.
8 November
What am I Doing here? What Riripeti proposes to do seems so Ambitious and Impossible. Although the village is in much better condition than I have been led to expect of Maori kaingas, it is woefully Lacking in adequate Facilities. Sanitation is Dreadful and the less said about lavatory arrangements the better.
Later. I feel better now that Riripeti and I have talked about the proposed Hospital itself. She showed me the meeting house, Rongopai, which will serve as an Admission Centre. It is a largish building with a dirt floor and filled with crude but Picturesque and naive drawings. As for the Hospital itself, we have hit upon a novel Solution.
It is Summer. There is a natural Conduit for breezes coming down from the hills behind Rongopai and shelter from the Sun as it traverses morning to evening. We do not need a Hospital of permanent materials. We shall therefore erect three huge tents, similar to those used by Arabs (such tents are called Marquees here) whose side flaps can be rolled up during the day and rolled down during the Cold evenings. Riripeti made Mysterious mention of coming across such designs when she was a young girl in Europe. So what say you to That! Such Brilliance!
Initially Riripeti had proposed that the Tents would enable separation of Men, Women and Children. I have persuaded her, however, that they should correspond to the stages of Onset, Duration of Infection and Recovery.
I am Impressed. This evening Riripeti gathered together her people and Presided over a meeting of some 400 souls at Rongopai. She is a Tohunga here and a Priestess of the Ringatu faith. This is not, as I had expected, a Pagan religion but one based on the Old Testament. There is a lot of chanting, like the Drone of bees, and the prayers are Exceeding long. The Maoris liken themselves to the Israelites enslaved in Egypt. They have made interesting comparisons between the Flu and the Plagues of Egypt.
Riripeti outlined to all the Dangers that are inherent in Hospital service, particularly of Contracting the Flu. Nevertheless, 15 lovely young women have Courageously volunteered to provide Nursing assistance to Patients. Another 40 or so men are under Tamati Kota’s direction in the Making of the Tents. Ihaka is directing Scouting teams which will Go Out into the wild country and tell surrounding villages of the Hospital and, as necessary, bring Dire cases in.
Meantime, today, 20 patients were treated at the Homestead and others where they lay Stricken. All of them indicate the Classic Susceptibility of Native races to respiratory infection. 7 are adult men, 9 women including two with Child, and 4 breastfed Infants. Three are in Extreme condition with the delirium associated with the Condition.
We must Respond quickly. We must move our operations to Rongopai tomorrow.
11 November
The drays that went to Gisborne town under cover of night to obtain canvas from a Ship’s chandler returned this morning. What Adventures! They had to bypass the roadblocks and follow the river out to sea, along the beach and into Gisborne that Way.
I gave my Nurses (I do not care that they have no Qualifications and shall call them what I Will) their First Lessons. First, they must have White smocks which they must wear at All times, if only for Identification but also for Authority. They must also wear their Masks and avoid Exhalations such as Sneezing, Coughing, Nose or Mouth fluids, at all costs. They giggled a lot and found me Amusing, which I suppose I am. Second, I have Posted a Regime of Hygiene which they must follow at All Times. They must wash before and after handling individual Patients. They must Not spread infection. Which reminds me that I must talk to Riripeti about an Inhalation chamber. We also need Lots of towels. I must List the Requirements tonight. I must make sure that the Kitchen staff are Most careful about Hygiene also.
12 November
During a Lull Riripeti asked me to explain the flu to the people. I began with Riripeti translating my Words into Maori. Apparently the Question which is striking Fear is why Victims change colour and, in Death, turn Black.
A Gentleman of the Medical Profession has offered this clinical explanation: ‘In all cases where death follows acute pneumonic symptoms – where the lung tissue becomes consolidated, and into which consolidated tissue no air can gain admission – the skin becomes cyanosed, that is to say, dark purplish or blue in appearance. This is because the blood cannot be aerated. Therefore when death does supervene the cyanosis is sometimes so marked as to give the skin an appearance of purplish black.’
Sir, well Done. But kindly advise how I might turn this into plain language that anyone, let alone the Maoris, can understand? While you are at it, also tell me how I can persuade the Maoris that the influenza is not a ‘Plague’. No amount of Persuasion can Divert them from believing this is a reprimand from Heaven.
I began by saying that the flu is an Infection caused by bacteria. When one has the Infection, one becomes gravely Ill. High fever and delirium, which might look like Madness, is common for the first Seven days. Those in whom the temperature falls and who do not Succumb to the delirium Survive the flu but must convalesce for several weeks. Those who maintain a Temperature develop Pneumonia which causes the Blackness.
There was a Silence. Then a Native asked, ‘Did God make the Bacteria?’ I gloomily Contemplated the Reason for this particular question and was on the point of saying ‘Yes’ but a quick glance from Riripeti Prevented me. I said, ‘No.’ The sigh of Relief was Audible throughout. I must beg the Lord’s forgiveness if I have Erred, but the Maoris must Not believe that the flu is some Vengeful Visitation from God. Or that the Blackness is the mark of Cain. Or that the Mottling is the sign of the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. Or that this is the Price that has to be paid for not following Rua or other prophets.
My Nurses and I treated 31 further Patients. I have 7 critical cases under Personal Observation including a Mother, her 2-year-old Girl child and another Child as yet unborn in the Womb. The Mother is not Known to anyone here, having been found unconscious by the Main Road out of Gisborne. Her 2-year-old was Tending her.
I must go myself to Gisborne town tomorrow for supplies, blankets, pillows, sponges, towels, soap and a range of products for soups and broths. As for Medicines, I do believe that the Patients may benefit from Fumigants, so I must obtain Sulphur. I suspect the Rumour that Pipe Smoking has an Alleviatory effect, but will purchase a few bottles of Whisky and Brandy. Time is of the utmost Import.
13 November
My Band of Merry Men sneaked me into Gisborne town and hid while I went about my business. Imagine my surprise, however, when I bumped into Young Nurse Anne Evans, from the Hospital in Gisborne. There were 61 cases of flu Admitted last week and the fifth death has occurred. Seven of the Nurses are affected. ‘You must come back,’ Anne Evans cried. I was firm with her and she asked me, ‘Why have you taken the side of the Maoris? Are you a Maori lover?’ I have looked into my heart for the Answer. I suppose I am in Waituhi because Gisborne has 18 nurses and the Maoris have none. I think, however, that the Real Answer lies in South Africa where I have Always sided with the Blacks and Coloureds.
There is News from other parts of the Dominion. The epidemic has Taken Auckland city, disrupting all services – Post Office, Railways, Fire, Telephone Communication Etc. There is Dread talk of Auckland as a ‘City of the Dead’. Many Doctors and 50 nurses are Down. In Wellington it is the Same Spectre. The first Wellington victim has Died. The Southern Cities are also faring Badly. The Minister of Health is Tardy in ordering influenza notifiable as an Infectious Disease.
He is also being Accused as Assisting the spread of the Disease by clearing the Prime Minister’s ship on arrival.
My mother with 2-year-old and unborn child is greatly Stricken and I fear for her. The 2-year-old is a Feisty child who, despite her Age, is Constantly supporting her Mother. I found her Asleep with her arms cradling her Mother’s head. Her ragged Slip had fallen and on her left shoulder I saw a strange Birthmark.
15 November
The tents are completed but, Alas, at Great Cost. The Natives are just so Susceptible to the flu and I feel quite Helpless. Half the Sewing teams have Succumbed, no doubt because of the Entire devotion of their Energies to the task.
Oh, when the Tents went up on the hill behind Rongopai, the Sight was Breathtaking. Riripeti and Tamati Kota led a service of Blessing at Dawn. Rongopai looked like a three-masted Ship and the Tents like sails in the wind. No wonder the Natives have already Christened it Riripeti’s Ship of God. Surely a Visionary description.
We moved all Patients into the first tent. Already we have 76 Souls in our care and, tonight, I sense the approach of the Ill upon the road to Waituhi.
16 November
Dear Heaven, I have tried to save the Mother with unborn child but she has slipped from my Grasp. Her 2-year-old could not be Prised from her mother’s body and fought like a fierce kitten. Her death was observed with profound Passion and Grief similar to Zulu practice. A tangi, the way the Maoris commemorate death, has Begun and burial will be two days Hence.
Our time of Travail is upon us. May God have mercy on our souls.
18 November
The Mottling, Discoloration and the Blackening are striking more Fearfully than I had expected. I Marvel over Riripeti. Given the Fear surrounding the Mottling she has suggested an Isolation tent for terminal cases. Quite out of the blue she began to speak of similar Procedures she had seen practised in Venice. I continue to Ponder the Depths of this Remarkable Woman.
We have been Visited by the Volunteer Constabulary who delivered a Notice, via Doctor Bellamy and then Fled. The Notice advises that the tangi, and all such Gatherings, have been Banned. There has been Angry debate on the matter all morning and I have been able to Observe Riripeti in action. She is an eloquent and impassioned Speaker. She has Instructed that a Roadblock, guarded by two men, be put up on the Outskirts of Waituhi to stop Pakehas from coming In! She has also Instructed that a message be taken back to Doctor Bellamy. ‘Tell Doctor Bellamy,’ she said, ‘and the Minister of Health that we have a tangi underway right now and will not discontinue it. We presume similar funeral gatherings by Pakehas are also banned? Is it the tangi itself or the Gatherings that the Authorities fear? Do they expect us to become so angry at this Pakeha disease that we shall seek revenge?’ She is most Defiant and Contemptuous about the fear that the Maoris will spread the Disease when it has sprung in the first place from the Europeans.
Later. Doctor Bellamy has responded Quickly. He has sent further Notice he intends to come to Visit Waituhi to do an Official Inspection.
I was so Tired this evening that I couldn’t resist. I have taken a wee thimbleful of Whisky.
19 November
This morning the Woman with unborn child was placed in the earth. The 2-year-old Girl has accepted the situation. She seems to have Adopted me. I never thought I would be so Affected when she slipped her hand into mine and stood with me at the graveside.
Riripeti sang a most Strange and Wondrous lament. At the moment of burial the wind filled the tents and made them billow like sails.
Our Ship of God has embarked on its first voyage.
Meantime, we are truly isolated from the world, with reports from arriving Maoris of being turned back from Gisborne town. There is now a Daily flow of Maoris, the news of Riripeti’s Hospital having spread far and wide, but they are having to come to us by backroads, down rivers and over the Hills to get around the roadblocks. Most are of the Ringatu faith. Our Hospital now numbers 121 Patients but Waituhi is also full of their relatives who must be Billeted. Seven of my original Nurses are still working but the others have taken the Illness upon themselves.
The wireless is our only Communication. Auckland has been filled with great Crowds ever since the Signing of an Armistice by Germany last week. We are Greatly relieved though Riripeti Did wonder whether the Minister of Health had banned That gathering.
The Patients have taken to Drawing and Writing and Painting on the canvas of the Ship of God. It is as if they wish to be remembered. Some of their Paintings are very Beautiful. Others are Personal Genealogies which are very sad. At Night, the candlelight against the Paintings make them look so Alive.
20 November
Riripeti fears that there are Those who have not been able to Reach Us either because they cannot get through the roadblocks or are too Ill to come to us. We are therefore Setting out today on a three-day Reconnaissance through her tribal area. I should thank my dear Papa that he taught me to ride Side Saddle. Riripeti, Tamati Kota, Ihaka, five young Men and I will set off soon. I shall take two of my Nurses.
Later. We managed to circumnavigate numerous barriers to our progress and have Discovered that matters are as Riripeti has Feared. We headed inland towards Tuhoe, stopping at various small whares, shacks and shanties that are Dotted over the Vast land. Most can only be described as Hovels. The smell of rot and excrement, on approaching a Whare, is sure sign that all does not bode well for the Inhabitants. On this evidence, Riripeti has sent back for Reinforcements. We have decided that we must set up Base Camps where the Sick can be treated prior to moving them on to our Hospital. I shall station my best Nurses at these places and they shall be Supported by regular communications with Waituhi.
21 November
One expects to be inured of the sight of human Deprivation and Tragedy. In one whare, we found a man and woman Blackened and, at the gateway, a pitiful flag with the Maori word for Help written upon it. Half a mile down the road was the body of a young boy who had sought Assistance. In another shack we rescued an elderly Tohunga who was still attempting to raise his Daughter from death by Esoteric means. Further in our travels, we Happened upon our first big kainga. There was a Pall of silence. Riripeti ordered the men to search every hut. Three were found Dead, 27 were in High Fever and Delirium but the Remainder were attempting to manage and maintain Order. I gave them Instruction.
The most Affecting sight appeared at the next Pa. Only 5 had not been Struck down. All were children. We helped bury the dead and have taken the 5 children with us.
Dear God, the news about the Armistice was false. There has been a Blackout on the statistics of those who have Died so far. Rumours are rife and some are talking about witnessing bodies stacked up and waiting for Burial.
22 November
We have returned to Waituhi. I never want to see such Evidence of Death and Pestilence again. No news yet of that Sword of Damocles, Doctor Bellamy.
During my absence, however, my own 2-year-old Girl has become stricken. I had warned her of Assisting our patients but have Constantly found her sponging the Fevered.
Oh yes, and Doctor Bellamy arrives this afternoon.
‘E kui,’ Tamati Kota said, ‘Dr Bellamy and his men have arrived at the roadblock.’
Riripeti’s eyes glittered like obsidian. Charge Nurse Watson sensed her strength.
‘Who is with him?’ Riripeti asked.
‘Two are authorities from the Health Department,’ Ihaka said, ‘and others are men of God. It was foolish of you to question whether their Pakeha funeral services would also be banned.’
‘If Ringatu are forbidden to worship,’ Riripeti replied, ‘so should others be forbidden to worship. What’s sauce for the goose is good enough for the gander. Tell Dr Bellamy I am not ready to come.’
Two hours later, Riripeti was still at the Ship of God tending the sick.
‘Are you ready now?’ Tamati Kota asked. ‘The Pakehas are waiting.’
‘Did they make an appointment? No. Let them wait if they want to. They are healthy whereas these –’ She motioned to the patients in the tents ‘– are not. Nor is anyone preventing the good doctor and his friends from returning to Gisborne if they wish to. The roads are opened to Pakehas, aren’t they?’
‘You will only provoke them,’ Ihaka said.
‘I will go to them when I am ready and not before.’
An hour later, Riripeti returned to the homestead. She dressed her hair with pearls and put on her black riding gown. She pulled the veil down and across her face. She rode to the roadblock guarded by her warriors. Charge Nurse Watson, Tamati Kota and Ihaka rode with her. As she approached, Dr Bellamy detached himself from his group and raised his fist.
‘I demand an explanation,’ Dr Bellamy cried. The midday sun had aggravated his temper. He glared at Riripeti across the roadblock. ‘I have come in my capacity as District Superintendent of Health to inspect this village and the so-called Maori hospital you have established here without authority. I am barred by a roadblock which has been erected, again, without authority. Not only that, but I understand from travelling Maoris that you have had a tangi here in defiance of my instructions.’
Riripeti’s horse suddenly reared.
‘I would stay clear of my stallion’s hooves if I was you,’ Riripeti said. ‘Did you make an appointment?’
