Wc can well imagine the surprise and dis pleasure which will be evidenced by many of Anckland's citizens when they come to hear of the peremptory order issued on H.M.S. Emerald that none of the crew will be allowed ashore on leave while the vessel is in the harbour. So far our enquiries lead us to believefthat the order emanated— not from the Auckland Health Officer, who would probably never make such a stipulation in the face of the fact that all the Albions' passengers and crew are now ashore - but from the authorities on board of the vessel. The reason thereof, also, is surrounded with some difficulty in discovery, for we are requested to believe that Auckland is an infected port that many of the inhabitants are afflicted with scarlotina, and that were the crew to come ashore and mix with the people here they wold have very little chance of escape from that apparently mucb-droaded malady. This is held out as the reason why hundreds of men, who have been confined to their vessel for months, should be prevented from having a holiday, as is the usual custom when occasion permits, and why they should not have an opportunity of visiting their friends at this port. Of course tho order only ap plies to men on leave, and will not affect the officers or those of the crew who have duties to perform ashore, But this alone makes the affair appear the more ridiculous for why one class of persons should bo more subject to scarlatina than another, wc are at a loss to imagiue. It is not only the crew themselves, but many persons on shore who are displeased at the arrangement, and during the day we have heard it whispered that the reason of the order is not to much the fear of scarlatina as that the men may follow the example set by so many of the men belonging to the Inconstant nt Sydney and leave the vessel short handed. 