NO CHARGE FOR STAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 908, 27 February 1930, Page 1

NO CHARGE FOR STAY

PASSENGERS AT MOTUIHI SOME MAY LEAVE TOMORROW; The quarantined passengers off the Aorangi, who are in isolation on Motuihi, will not be charged by the Union Steam Ship Company. Officially, the company has the power to charge so much a day for passengers in quarantine, according to the class in which the passengers travelled- but today the company advises that no charge will be made. Except for a few business men, who are eager to return to their offices, the quarantined passengers on Motuihi are very contented. Some of them declare that they will be most annoyed if they are taken off the island within a fortnight. In all probability the first of the isolated passengers will return to Auckland tomorrow and others again on Saturday or during the week-end. These will be people who have been successfully vaccinated. Dr. T. J. Hughes, medical officer of health for Auckland, stated this morning that Dr. J. Boyd, who has control of the quarantine station, and Dr. T. McKibbin, Director of Public Hygiene, will decide when the passengers will leave the island. On their return to Auckland passengers will be requested to keep in toucli with the Health Department for a certain time. However, there is little or no fear of infection, and the quarantining was taken as the usual precautionary measure necessary for any disease which might, if uncontrolled, develop into an epidemic. The woman patient is almost well again, but as she had actually contracted the complaint she will have to spend the necessary three weeks in isolation. Bathing and tramping are the two chief forms of recreation on Motuihi which, in fine weather, is delightful. Frequent mails from the City keep the isolated passengers in touch with relatives and friends. The Union Steam Ship Company, which has made splendid arrangements for the comfort of those in quarantine, has a staff of 33 on the island. Mr. Knight, third officer of the Aorangi, is in charge. The attendants Include a. nurse and two stewardesses.