IN QUARANTINE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21399, 15 February 1935, Page 17

IN QUARANTINE

* AORANGI PASSENGERS' EXPERIENCES LETTER FROM A DUNEDIN RESIDENT [THE PRESS Special Service.] DUNEDIN, February 14. Writing to a friend in Dunedin, a resident of this city who was a passenger by the Aorangi on her recent trip to Australia, when quarantine restrictions were imposed as soon as the vessel reached Sydney, gives some interesting details of the experience. The letter was written while some of the passengers were still in quarantine. The writer stales that when the Aorangi-was nearing Sydney, she appeared to be travelling at greater than her usual speed; but the passengers suspected nothing. "A doctor came aboard for medical inspection," the writer says, "and after a long delay the whisper went round that he would not pass the vessel, as one of the crew had been ill. Then the word was mentioned, and you can imagine how our spirits went down. Another doctor came on board in the morning, and to our disappointment the yellow flag was run up and the Aorangi started up the harbour toward Manly. "Then another life began. The lifeboats were filled with all kinds of food, and one after the other set out for the quarantine station. The passengers were ordered to pack just as much clothing as they could carry and would need for the night, and to be ready to go ashore in the boats. Delightful Surroundings "On landing, our fun commenced. There were about 650 of us, and we were sent to a shed where we had to leave all our clothes, put on gowns, and go to the fumigation bathhouse. The bath consisted of showers of a most refreshing smelling liquid, and after we had been well 'fumigated' our clothes, which had also undergoi-j the same process, were returned to us. We had next to go to the quarantine buildings, which are capable of accommodating 1250 persons. The bedrooms all have single beds, and french windows open out on to wide verandahs. The whole is like an up-to-date hotel, with a post office, dining and smoke rooms, cook-houses, doctors' quarters, laum.ry, and enquiry office. The grounds cover about 150 acres, most of it being beautiful bush, with well laid-out gardens, endless walks, and bathing beaches. AH Vaccinated "We all had to be vaccinated the first day, and every morning we have to line up for inspection. A number of passengers who had been vaccinated within recent years were fortunate enough to be allowed to leave. They went after the fifth day, and it was with very sad countenances that we watched them depart. We still have about 300 left, and the last of us will not get off until Friday (February 8)." The last of the passengers to leave quarantine continued their voyage to England by the Comorin, which left Sydney on February 8, the same day as the passengers were discharged.