PASSENGERS IN QUARANTINE

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 136, 5 December 1918, Page 7

PASSENGERS IN QUARANTINE

CHAFING AT THEIR ENFORCED IDLENESS. , (BY TELEGRAPH.—SPECIAL TO THI POST.) AUCKLAND, 4th December. Naturally tho Makura's passengers are chafing at their enforced idleness aiid confinement whilst in: quarantine. This, perhaps, is more particularly so in the case of the. Eeventy passengers, whose journey ends at Auckland. They have been lying' on the landward side of Motuihi for three days, within sight of tho city, to which they only can cast eyet of longing. So far they have not even been allowed to land on Motuihi Island, which is the' official quarantine station, but have been kept <on the ship, where, "as they point out, if serious sickness exists, they are unfairly exposed to the risk of infection. The fact that on Sunday, when it was decided to quarantine ths steamer for seven days, they were not informed of tho decision of tho J authorities, -but were left to learn it from Monday morning's newspapers, has not improved the temper or patience of the passengers. Even now they complain of Jack of definite information. All kinds of rumours are contimially gaining currency on the ship, and the nerves of the passengers are on edge. , With the proposal to send the Makura on to Sydney without waiting for the expiration of the quarantine period came an agitation from consignees of cargo to get their goods unloaded before the ship leaves here. Auckland's portion of the .cargo includes a< large consignment of fresh Canadian apples. The fruit merchants, as might be expected, have been agitating for the unloading of these, and Australian passengers, of course, look I upon this agitation to place apples before themselves in the order of importance with indignation. In fact, it is stated th,at the word "apples" is now anathema to^ tliern. Since the arrival' of the steamer there has been a- great shortage of both fresh water and soap on board, and deprivation of fresh water .baths lias 'addled to other annoyances of the passengers. It. is stated that the .Gunson-Russell episode has been discussed.with great interest on board tho' quarantined vessel. Many of the passengers adopt the attitude of "plagu<j on both your houses, 1 ' whilst- others, in semi-factitious mood, "■ are roundly condemning Mr.- Gunson and his supporters, and /Auckland in general, as blameable for all their troubles. "Indignation meetings" are being held every half-hour or so, but all the "strong protests" have so far. been unavailable, andeven the presence of the newspapers delegation on hoard has not been important enough to improve the position. It has been decided, to-day to remove the prisoners" of war, and to place the New Zealand passengers from the Makura in the quarters vacated by the alien prisoners, who are being removed to another part of the island, where they ' will be placed in tents. ■