WHERE TO IMMURE LEPERS?

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1158, 20 June 1911, Page 6

WHERE TO IMMURE LEPERS?

0 NOT WANTED UP NORTH, {By Tolczraph.—Special Correspondent.! Auckland, June IS. The suggestion of Mr. Laurenson, M.P., that tho leper station should be removed from Quail Island lo one of the islands in I lie Hauraki Civil!'.' is stoutly combated by the chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board (Mr. P. 31. Makay), wlio says:"I think it would be a very grave mistake to bring lepers into tho Hauraki Gulf, and 1 am very much surprised at Mr. Laurenson suggesting that the lepers should' be shifted from Quail Island to any of the islands in our gulf. These islands are taken advantage of by thousands of tho inhabitants of Auckland in the summer season.. With the exception of Motuilii, Euthes Island, and Pakatoa, there is probably not one wliicli is not 'utilised as a holiday resort both on general holidays and by thoso who delight to spend the week-end away from the busy city at one of the various resorts which these gulf islands a fiord. To put the lepers on Motuihi, Ruthes^ Island, or Pakatoa is, of course, entirely out of Iho question. While ■ these unfortunate individuals have my deep and sincere sympathy, 1 dt, not believe that public opinion would tolerate the placing of a leper station in any position so contiguous to tho Waitemata as the Hauraki Gulf, which is essentially the yachtsman's paradise in this Dominion. Had we, within our near environments, a leper station, I believe it might seriously injure our tourist traffic; it certainly would not enhance our reputation in tlie eyes of intending tourists from Australasia. America, and the Old Country. The actual danger of the disease is not so much as the dread association with the name of leprosy. It is not an infectious, but. a contagious disease, but the very noising abroad of the fact that, in the HaviraUi Gnlf a leper station was situated would affect our good name injuriously. I hope that our' Parliamentary representatives." both town and country, will watch this matter 1 very carefully, and resist any attempt to place a lepsr station on any of the lovely islands which dolour beautiful gulf. Quail Island, I believe, is a cold, inhospitable, uninviting place in which to live, and, as these poor nr.' fortnnates.must he isolated, the onus of providing a fairly comfortable location must rest on the Health Denartmeut, but the inhabitants o' Auckland would never tolerate that location being in the Hauraki Gulf."

LIFE ON QUAIL ISLAND. (By Tclceraph.—Press Association^ Christchurch, June 19. A "Lyttclton Times" reporter went over Quail island, in LytteKon Harbour, on Saturday, when the Health Officer made his weekly visit. The Health Officer is the only person who comes into direct contact with the lepers. He is administering the Nastin treatment, and tho patients are making good progress under it. Canon Coates also visited the island to hold a brief service, the patients keeping at a respectful distance. The lepers complain of the monotony of their life,' particularly in reference to their diet, but otherwise express themselves satisfied with their treatment. The report that they might escape was mentioned, and all threo ridiculed it. They said tlioy were anxious to get well and be permitted lo return to their homes. The "Times" declares that Quail Island is very unsuitable' for a leper station, the only . advantage being the proximity to medical attendance. It urges.the Government to givo the matter its immediate attention'!