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Auckland Star, Volume V, Issue 1489, 18 November 1874, Page 2

It is exceedingly interesting to watch the proceedings antecedent to the opening of Ohinemuri, as So graphically and fully described by our special telegraphic correspondent, iMr James Mackay is pi*Ssillg the suit of civilization bravely, and. well. Old barbarism is perplexed and frightened ; and " Landhh arking J> not less restricted in its views and objects than Te Hira and his friend.", looks angry, and grins and ppi lj3 at Mr Mackay and his proceedings from every side. Never before ha<* Such an attitude been assumed towards native reluctance, and everyone in Auckland that wishes well to the common weal, while intently watching the progress of events, should 8»y "God prosper James Mackay."

In another eaUitah is a letter signed " Immi grant," There really does eeein something iii the charge with reference to the IY-lease of the saloon passenger^ th&t there is " one law for the rich and another for the poor." We do Mot know the merits of the case, but of one thing we are entirely confident that Dr Philson is not the man to sanction the release of the saloon passengers from quarantine unices on grounds that are to him per fectly satisfactory that there is no risk of infection being brought into the city by the act. It may indeed be no excuse, but it is well that the fact should be known that, as wo are informed by the Customs officers, it is not cusfcoruarj' to place ealoon passengers in quar.anttut! unless disease has been among ihemselves, but to fumigate them on board and let them go. We still think it; would have been better, as suggested by us yester day, that the saloon passengers should, on being brought up, have been kept in seclusion for a tiuie. There is force in our correspondent's pica on behalf, of the single men. If it is so that they have been kept wholly separate, and that no sickness has been among them, we think that thoir case deserves consideration, and that With proper fumigation and cleansing they ought to be as sale as the saloon passengers at least. But we are exceedingly reluctant to say one word that might tend to interfere with quarantine, and we would recommend the same course to an " Immigrant" and similar correspondents. The 15oard of .Health are responsible for protect ing our people from danger. They and their oilicers h-ive opportunities which none others have fpr knowing the position, and iE from undue leniency or anything like carelessness, scarlatina is admitted into the city from the Hydaspes, on their heads will bo the blame, and we shall not be backward in piling it on. The disease is as insidious as it is fatal, and although two or three cases of it are known to exist in the city at present, derived from other sources, this is nothing to what would result if these hundreds of immigrants and t' eir clothing bore infection with them into families all over the province. Quarantine is always irksome, but we trust the guardians of public health, being acquainted with all the circumstances, will act faithfully to the public interests.