IN QUARANTINE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 March 1930, Page 3

IN QUARANTINE

MANY COMPLAINTS,

(Australian Press Association).

SYDNEY, March 2

A percentage of tiie Aorangi’s passengers make bitter complaints as to their treatment at the quarantine station here. They declare that the food has been inferior. For example, they say they were fed on corned beef and tomatoes. They allege that the crockery is cracked, the linen dirty, the rooms ill-ventilated, and the buildings are so old that they should be replaced. They declare there are insufficient beds, inadequate telephone facilities, and no stationery or stamps.

One passenger adds: “We had to carry our luggage from the beach up the hill along a rocky path, that was badly lighted. The elderly women had an uneviable experience. A sweeping denial of these charges is given by Doctor A. J. Metcalf, Chief Quarantine Officer, who says “The chief complaint comes from the Auckland passengers, because of their detention. There are one thousand two hundred beds at the quarantine station. The telephone facilities are sufficient, but everybody wanted to use them /at the-same moment,; ;and some of them talked so long tljat the others had to wait their convenience'. Thirty stewards attended to the 'wants of the two hundred and fifty passengers who were at the station-. It is all nonsense to say that the crockery is cracked and inferior. Tin's is pure imagination. The food consisted of four courses for*--those who wanted that number, and it was the same food as was suplied by the “Aorangi.”

Dr. Metcalf pointed out that any further releases of the passengers are unlikely for a few days. CONDITIONS TN QUARANTINE. MUCH DISCONTENT. SYDNEY, March 3. According to Mrs Walsh, who was released from quarantine to hasten to the bedside of her dying brother ■in Victoria., a riot was' narrowly averted at the quarantine station yesterday. An attempt was made to rush the entrance on Manly Road by some inmates, ‘but it was frustrated brother passengers pointing out l the folly of such action. At a massed meeting of passengers, the authorities were condemned for the treatment meted out and genera! dissatisfaction was expressed at the detention of-,some and the rolease of others. Further complaints indicate, the position in the station is chaotic. The golfer, Kirkwood, said “I and others would like to know why we .have 'been specially singled out' for this inconsiderate treatment in Sydney.’-’ . Kirkwood is not expected to be released heroic 10th March. As a result only two of tho five golfing en-' go,gements in this State will be fulfilled. ”