LEPERS AT MAKOGAI

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 124, 23 February 1928, Page 6

LEPERS AT MAKOGAI

SUFFERING AND SACRIFICE. Showing various aspects of life at tho Makogai leper station iu the Pacific a number of lantern slides were thrown on the screen at the Concert Chamber last night. Sir Maui Pomare, who recently visited the station, addressed the gathering. In introducing the speaker, the Mayor (Mr. G. A. Troup), who was in the chair, expressed regret that the meeting had not been held in the larger hall, as hundreds had been unable to gain admittance. Ho paid a tribute to the nurses and doctors who had virtually given their lives in going to nurse the lepers aj Makogai. He knew, he said, of no greater sacrifice.

Sir Maui Pomare, who was greeted with applause, thanked the public ter money and presents which had been sent to the station. He dealt with the history of the disease; it was known as early as 2006 8.C., ho said, and was now known to ba a disease caused by microbes. Tho Maoris also knew leprosy ' (legend had it that the disease had been brought over originally in one of the canoes), but they also had realised tho value of isolation. He stated that some scientists said that it was a diseaso accompanying the transitional stage between savagery and civilisation, but he did not agree with that statement. Leprosy was found in all classes. He told of the gradual development of the one. leper station at Makogai, where the patients were now segregated and were undergoing treatment with every hope of recovery. (Applause). Only .£l2O was needed to erect a picture show at which the patients might obtain some entertainment. He paid a tri■buto to Dr. Neff and to the self-sacri-fice of the women of the Order of Mary, who were on the medical stuff at the island. (Applause). He called on two or the order present to address the meeting. Rev. Mother Agnes thanked the meeting for the many presents received at tho island during the last year. Sister Celini endorsed these remarks.