MEDICAL EXAMINATION.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 156, 2 July 1919, Page 7

MEDICAL EXAMINATION.

OF OVERSEAS PASSENGERS. At a meeting of the Auckland Harbour Board yesterday afternoon Mr. A. J. £ntrican said that very serious complaints had been made by passengers as to what they regarded, as the un- | necessary delays that occurred in connection with the medical examination at the port, and the consequent late hour at which they were released from the ship. This was particularly mentioned in the case of the Niagara, which brought 500 or 600 people, to examine whom 'there was only one medical officer. The whole of the passengers were kept for hours longer than there was any necessity for, with the result that the good name of the port was in danger owing to a circumstance over which the Harbour Board had no control. After discussion a motion was carried referring the matter to the Board-in-Committee, with a suggestion that the District Health Officer should be asked to confer with the. Board. Questioned on the subject this morning Dr. Sharman, the Port (Health Officer, said there was no delay whatever in paseing the Niagara's passengers and crew, who numbered 800 all told. The imediical examination occupied exactly one hour thirty-five minutes. He had an able assistant, who was not paid by the Department of Public Health. The temperature of every person on board whs taken, and there were nine cases set apart for separate examination. When the Health Officer had finished the Custonu officers had to start work, and they had to overhaul all passports, and that naturally occupied considerable time.