SCARLET FEVER SCARE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 568, 22 January 1929, Page 9

SCARLET FEVER SCARE

ULIMAROA THREATENED WITH QUARANTINE Consternation showed itself on the faces of most of the passengers on the Ulimaroa this morning when the rumour went round that she had to go into quarantine for a fortnight. Visions of wrecked holidays, of spoiled business trips and of missed races made many anxious. A few declared that they would be glad of a quiet fourteen days at the island of Motuihi, and humorists went round trying to borrow fishing-lines and bathing-suits. There was good ground for the rumour. The port health officer. Dr. Hart, became suspicious about a rash on the arm of a man in the first class and he sent ashore for the district health officer. Dr. Chewon. While the launch was puffing to North Shore and back, and then over to the city, the passengers firmly believed that scarlet fever had broken out and that at least :hree girls had gone down with it. Nearly four hours after she had dropped anchor, and two hours and aquarter after the time she should have berthed, the Ulimaroa drew into the wharf. Relations and friends waited on the Prince’s Wharf until 11.15 for ( the first sight of the passengers. The people on board did not mind the wait, so relieved were they to find that they had not to stay on board for a fortI night.