THE MAKURA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 64, 10 December 1918, Page 7

THE MAKURA

PASSENGERS RELEASED VESSEL SAILS FOR SYDNEY By Telegraph-Press Association.' : Auckland, December 0. Unexpected developments took place yesterday in connection with the quarantining of the s.si Makura. Practically, the whole of the New . Zealand pussen. gers were brought to Auckland ami allowed to go to their homes or hotels. Passengers for south of Auckland joined the Main Trunk train-at Penrose'Junction in the evening. Among those who remained on tho 'isliind were Professor P. D. Brown and his two daughters. Professor Brown decided to remain at Motuihi pending arrangements as to his future movements. The Makura - was allowed to leave for Sydney at 1.25 n.m: No cargo was unloaded. Dr. Valiutine,' prior to his departure for Wellington,last .evening, said that ten passengers, some of whom were contacts and others suspicious cases, had been detained .at'Motuihi;, He was convinced that the other New Zealand passengers released had not come into contact with any sickness on board . since quarantine was first established' on the Makura on December 1. He therefore felt justified in releasing the passengers. •Dr.. Valiutine said further that all-lug-gage' had been fumigated and tho passengers were required to pass through an inhalation'chamber on the steamer Lady Roberts. All precautions nocessary to safeguard the public health had been tnken. One passenger detained on ■the island was Mr. T. G. Russell, brother of the Hon. G. W. Russell. There were 38 patients from the Makura in. isolation nt Motuihi. Of this'number one case was .regarded as dangerous and eight as serious. Tho remaining 29. were mild cases. ■■■ Nine who were.charted as dan-' gerons and serious had pneumonic coinnlicatio'ns. Major' Pettit. was in chaTge. He had been invested with all the powers of a district health officer. In regard to the Makuni, Dr. Valintine said he considered there'was now no justification.'for .kcepinir her longer. In addition to the ship's doctor -there were three prominent Australian military doctors on boM'd. He anticipated the Makura would be detained in quarantine on arrival in Sydiiey. «...

THE AUCKLAND. PASSENGERS v LANDING : AT-CITY. WHARF . INSISTED UPON.- ■■■ i , v •> Auckland, December 9. The movement of Auckland passengers was not made very clear to. those on the island on ■ Saturday night, but it was suggested that they also.were to be taken, from the island to , St.;. Heller's Bay, thence conveyed in motor-cai's to their homes and' hotels. ' It is asserted that Dr. Valintino suggested • this mcrte or p-oecdure, because he,believed the people of Auckland would be inclined to.resent the landing of the' Makura's passengers in their midst, altllough he was satisfied in his own mind that there was no danger of risk of infection. Dr. Valintihe's suggestions regarding the landing at Sf. Helier's Bay did not meet with the unanimous approval of New Zealand passengers. Six of them objected to anything which might bo regarded ;as a surreptitious enfry into Auckland. ' Three passengers asked Dr. Valintinc for an assurance thht they were to be taken' openly to one of the city 'wharves.' This assurance was ,at once given, and the steamer Ladv Roberts was brought to the Motuihi Wharf, and .passengers, tarrying their •small luggage, ombarked. The utmost confusion prevailed in connection with the - removal of the heavy luggage from the island to the vessel. ;.■■ •'.'•" Mr. Gunsoii, after consulting various Meal authorities, has'telegraphed to Wellington an emphatic protest against the New Zealand passengers being landed.