ENFORCED HOLIDAY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 285, 13 September 1933, Page 8

ENFORCED HOLIDAY

VOYAGERS SAMPLE LIFE ON CORAL ISLAND.

A WEEK IN QUARANTINE,

(Special to the "Guardian.") AUCKLAND, September 8

When the Mariposa arrived at Suva from Auckland on, August 28, a doctor diagnosed four cases of influenza on board all but one being of a mild character. One patient was a passenger, the,other three being members of the crew who were able to resume their duties on the deck the day after the liner resumed her voyage. A total of 43 passengers had intended disembarking at Suva but the port health officer forbade anyone to land. Fifteen elected to go on with the Mariposa to Pago Pago, and the remaining 28 were landed on the quarantine island which is situated ten miles from Suva, and has an area of only five acres.

" Although living quarters on the island are only barracks, the single men's rooms not even possessing doors, we quite enjoyed our stay," said Mr J. P. Baxter, of Geelong. "A staff was sent out from Suva, consisting of three European stewards, two Chinese cooks, and 10 Fijian and Indian waiters', to minister to our comfort and although we were well supplied with food by the quarantine authorities to whom Ave paid 10s 6d a day, the Mission Line supplemented our diet with many additional luxuries.

"It was really very pleasant at Makuluva, which was much cooler than Suva," added Mr Baxter. "We spent most of our time reading, swimming, and playing table tennis and miniature golf. Those of us tvho were annoyed at the .start at not being allowed to land at Suva Avere quite reconciled in the end, for living on a coral island Avas a novel and interesting experience for most of us. As a matter of fact, Makuluva is a much-favoured holiday resort for the Governor and officials of Fiji."

Those passengers avlio went on to Pago Pago spent four days at the American port, and they thoroughly enjoyed their stay. Several of them Avere hwited by the American Governor on a fishing excursion, and golf and a round of native entertainments 'made the time pass pleasantly.