Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 2.djvu/165

 placed both the ships under quarantine for a further period of 12 days from that day. Thereupon, the master of the Courland gave the signal that:


 * By order of the Government, all passengers’ bed clothes having been burnt, request Government renew same at once, as passengers’ lives are in danger without them. Want written instructions how long quarantine is to last, as verbal time changes with every visit of Quarantine Officer. No case of sickness occurring in the interval. Give notice to the Government our ship has been disinfected every day since leaving Bombay.

The following was signalled from the Naderi on the 30th:


 * Ask Government to supply at once 250 blankets for passengers, instead of those destroyed by Government. Passengers are suffering greatly without them. Otherwise disembark them at once. Passengers suffering from cold and wet; fear sickness in consequence.

These signals were altogether disregarded by the Government.

Happily, the Indian residents in Durban started a Quarantine Relief Fund, whereby blankets were supplied to all the passengers on both the ships, and also foodstuffs to the poor passengers, free of charge, involving an expense of not less than £125.

While this was going on board the ships, the owners and agents were busy protesting against the quarantine and the somewhat capricious, because uncertain, ways in which the same was being enforced. They forwarded a petition to His Excellency the Governor, praying that, for reasons stated therein, the Medical Officer of the Port “be directed to grant pratique to the said vessels”. (App. H.)

Certificates from medical gentlemen were attached to it showing that, in their opinion, the quarantine then intended and afterwards imposed on the ships was unnecessary. (Ann. to App. H.) A telegram was sent by the owners’ solicitors, asking for a reply to the petition (App. I), but none came. On the 24th December, the owners’ solicitors wrote to the acting Health Officer, requesting him to grant pratique to the said vessels on the grounds stated therein. (App. J.) The officer in question the same day wrote in reply:


 * I am endeavouring to do my duty as Health Officer with due regard to all interests. I am willing to authorize the placing in quarantine on the Bluff{{R