THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

Auckland Star, Issue 66, 19 March 1900, Page 5

THE BUBONIC PLAGUE.

The Huddart, Parker steamier Westralia arrived from Sydney early this morning, and proceeded clown to Atotuiin shortly after eight a.m. tu undergo her quarantine. The outward 'Frist.o mail steamer Moana arrived from Sydney yesterday afternoon. She landed her mail:* at Motuihi. where they were fumigated and brought up to Auckland at nine o'clack last night. The -Moana came up to harbour and a hulk with the Auckland cargo for San Fran. eisco was taken along-side, and the work of transhipment was proceeded with. The Moana brought no passengers for Auckland, but had a good list for 'Frisco, for which port she sailed at moon. Auckland passenger., and their Jug-gage were taken aboard the Moana in v ferry steamer. The 'Mararoa came up from quarantine at op.in.on Saturday and anchored in the stream, her passengers aud their baggage being brought ashore in a ferry steamer. During the quarantine period the passengers beguiled ; the time with boating and fishing parties, concerts, quoit and cricket matches, etc., and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. When the vessel was released on Saturday a deputation from ! the passengers waited on Captain 'Phillips aud thanked him for having , made the stay a,jolly one. Many of the steerage passengers hy the Mararoa refused to pay the usual charge of lis per day demanded from j steerage passengers during the period

of quarantine detention, although they hud been notified of the charge

before leaving Sydney. Their contention was that the expense shlould devolve upon the Government. Most. of the passengers, however, did pay the charge, while the baggage of tne

remained has been detained until the money is paid. The vessels in quarantine are not allowed to land their passengers or crews en Motuihi. the reason given befing that slimi-d a vessel witn plague aboard arrive here the island will be required for the isolation of those on board. It is rather hard on those quarantined that they are unable to land and makes the detention more irksome. Should a case of actual plague arrive here the passengers on. the island could easily be ordered aboard again. The Government have not yet appointed a resident medical officer for -Motuihi.