LEPERS' NEW HOME.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 13

LEPERS' NEW HOME.

SHIFT TO MOKOGAI. (SPECIAL TO '"THE TRESS.") AUCKLAND, June IS. The nine lepers, consisting of four Maoris, two Chinese, and three Europeans, •who aro shortly to be transferred from Quail Island to the Mokogai leper station in the Fiji group, are assured of a delightful home. Dr. G. Fronglcy, of the Auckland Hospital, who to Auckland by the Navua, after five weeks among the typhoid cases at Suva, had an opportunity of visiting Mokogai, and he states that it is one of the most beautiful and attractive islands that could be found anywhere. Mokogai, or Mokongai, is an island with an area oi about live square miles, and lies about 2~> miles norih-east of Levuka. •'•'There are some 300 lepers living on this delightful place," said Dr. Frenglev, "and 1 run told that many who recover from the scourge of leprosy <io not want to leave it. JJere, in :i tropical climate, surrounded by all the beauties of Nature, the lepers pass

away their time- as happily as is possible. New Zealand lepers could nob go to a better place." Dr. Neff, a Canadian, was in charge of the station, lie said, and lie had eight nuns assisting him. They were wonderful people, and wore carrying out a splendid work. The island was equipped with schools and an up-to-date hospital with proper wards, etc. Everything possible was done to ensure the happiness of the lepers, and among ether things there was :i picture palace. ".Sing-sor.gs" were a popular form of entertainment. A few of the lepers were in a bad state, but the majority of them were improving. Marriage was prohibited, and men and women lived in different settlements. Both sexes were allowed to intermingle, however, at certain periods during the day. Dr. Frenglev wns greatly impressed with the economic conditions existing on the island. The lepers grow ail their own food and are paid for their labour. They also run a co-npr T alive store, and generally spend their earnings in small luxuries, such as tobacco, etc The communitv was run by lepers for lepers. They ' have their urn; policemen. All the patient* at present at Quail Island have consented tr go lo Mohugai. The Quail Island station will be dose.], and "the cost <<i the maintenance of the lepers at Mokogai will be borne bv the New Zealand Uoverniucnt.