A PROHIBITED IMMIGRANT.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1921, Page 1

A PROHIBITED IMMIGRANT.

ENFORCED STAY IN THE MAKURA.

AUCKLAND, March 7

Ho ought to know something about the subject ,as he has just spent two months gazing at the beauties of Port Jackson from the* deck of the Vancouver liner Alakura. as she lay idly at anchor in Watson’s Bay, and he prefers tho Waitemata. The colouring of Auck land Harbour appeals to him very much. Our authority is Mr 0. T. Grattan Ksmonde, and there is nothing of pique in his predilection for tlie Now Zealand rival of the great Australian show piece of water as he sat perched on the rail of the Alakura this morning smoking a cigar. Air Ksmonde did not display the slightest feeling about his enforced stay on hoard the Alakuia. The only thing that, really does worry him is that some enterprising Sydney newspaper blazoned it abroad that he was on an important diplomatic mission, connected with Irish affairs. He never made such a. claim he says, and is now wondering how lie will explain tho matter to his friends at home. Regaining his refusal to take the. oath of allegiance in Australia, he says that he did so because it was got up specially for his benefit, and had never boon used before or since. He took the matter as a personal insult. Air Ksmondo said that ho was not to be allowed to land in Auckland, hut he evidently has friends here, for before the ship had been alongside the wbari many minutes ho had a group of shore popple alongside him at tin* ship s sidi . “No, T had not tho slightest, idea that I was to go through the experience I have just had in Australia,’’ replied Air Ksmonde to a reporter’s query. “A\ hen l left Vancouver I did not expect to have greatness thrust upon me in this way. and even now.” lie added, with a puzzled smile, as he returned to his familiar occupation of looking over the ship’s rail, “1 have never been told whv they won’t let me land.”