174 IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 
ports and every one was ordered to bare both arms to the elbow. 
It was, as I have said, quite cold, and as all had overcoats or 
heavy wraps it was no easy matter to bare the arms according to 
orders. So overcoats were taken off, cuffs unbuttoned, and sleeves 
rolled up to the required extent. When we appeared before the 
officers who were conducting the inspection each of us was told to 
extend both arms straight up. The official gripped them with a 
quick pressure below the elbows, passed the hands toward the 
wrists and told us to pass on; that was all there was to the in- 
spection. I could not help admiring the excellent memory of the 
chief steward who called out the name of each passenger as he 
confronted the officer, giving it without hesitation and correctly 
in every case. 
I afterwards learned that this curious form of inspection was 
due to a report of a few cases of bubonic plague in Australia, 
and that its presence in an incipient form could be detected by 
this procedure. 
The inner harbor of Auckland presents a busy scene with 
numerous ferry-boats plying back and forth to various points on 
the bay, Devonport, Birkenhead and other suburbs. The docks 
are quite extensive and big steamers from many points of the 
world showed their painted funnels and masts above the great 
ware-houses. An extensive railway terminus with numerous small 
engines and cars very much after the English type could be seen. 
Beyond this the city had a metropolitan aspect and its numerous 
rounded hills were crowned with imposing structures and parks. 
After our stay in Fiji the whole scene was distinetly impressive. 
But the business of disembarkation soon took our attention and 
all was excitement and confusion. The stewards who had served 
us had been remembered with the usual tips and the stateroom 
boys were taking our luggage ashore to the custom-house on the 
wharf to which the Makura was soon tied. Some of our party 
had a distinet grudge against the good ship Makura on account 
of her anties during the storm, a thing for which it was unfair 
to blame the vessel which had behaved as well as could be ex- 
pected, considering the pounding she had sustained. 
Our passports were taken up and we were instructed to register 
with the police within seven days of our arrival, at which time 
our passports would be returned. 
The laws regarding immigration are very strict. No Germans 
or Russians were allowed at that time to land at any point in 
