Page:The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, vol. 2.djvu/227



[PS.] We also ask for the exact conditions which you make for the granting of pratique, as, if you have given them to us, it must be very imperfectly so.

(APPENDIX O)
Copy

DURBAN, December 26, 1896

TO GOODRICKE, LAUGHTON & COOKE

GENTLEMEN,

I have your letter of December 25th, 1896. I cannot let any risk to the Colony be run by giving pratique to the steamers without proper precautions.

If the passengers are not landed into quarantine quarters, 12 days must run after fumigation of the ship and precautions as regards clothing, namely, by washing and disinfecting, and the burning of sundry old rags, mats, sacks, etc., in accordance with instructions given by me to each Captain, before pratique can be given. If the owners agree to bear the expense of quarantine, then the landing must be preceded by fumigation and precautions as above, and after the landing is effected, the departure of the steamers will be facilitated; but there must be no contact with shore except under proper restrictions. If you want to get the steamers away, the simplest course will be to arrange for the owners to bear the expense of quarantining the passengers on the Bluff for twelve days after fumigation, etc., of the ship, or for any longer period, should such necessity arise.

As regards any legal points connected with the matter, please write to the Clerk of the Peace, as I have nothing to do with them.

Yours obediently,

(Signed) D. Birtwell

(APPENDIX P)
Copy

DURBAN, December 26, 1896

TO D. BIRTWELL, ESQ., M.D.

DEAR SIR,

We have your letter of today, We have three times asked you for your reasons for refusing pratique to the steamers Courland and Naderi and