MIDNIGHT PARADE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 81, 2 October 1931, Page 9

MIDNIGHT PARADE

PASSENGERS ON LINER

DISTURBED FROM SLEEP

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, lst s October.

Passengers in pyjamas and dressinggowns lent an unusual touch to the medical and Customs inspection carried out on the liner Bangitiki, which arrived at' Auckland from London at 11.30 last night. ■ ' ■ - ■ It is most unusual for overseas vessels to be cleared at such a late hour, and while some passengers participated philosophically in the midnight parade, others wero frankly critical of the arrangements which disturbed their' slumbers.

It was stated, earlier,in the evening that it-was not intended to clear; the vessel if she arrived' later..\than .10 o'clock, but after consultation it was decided to proceed with the inspection in spite of the-vessel's later arrival. ~ Those who boarded the Bangitiki shortly after she dropped anchor in the stream were confronted with the spectacle of children huddled in blankets, and: elderly gentlemen muttering protests- to themselves as they, paced .the corridors in bed-time regalia and ladies disporting night-time finery usually restricted to the- bedroom-and-bajthroom.

By the time the passengers had passed through the hands of the doctor and the Customs officers the hour of midnight; had passed. Fortunately the night was beautifully fine,, so that apart from the loss of several hours' sleep the.passengers arc unlikely to contract colds to remind; them of their midnight parade. •