THE MAKOGAI LEPERS-

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 85, 7 October 1940, Page 6

THE MAKOGAI LEPERS-

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Every year about this time an appeal is made by Mr. P. J. Twomey, of Christchurch, for Christmas gifts for thfe leper patients at Makogai. A garden party is to be held at a near date in Wellington to raise funds for the upkeep of the convent, which is used by the Sisters who have charge of the patients at Makogai. In the past a good deal of confusion has arisen through benefactors thinking that these two appeals were for the same purpose, and my committee will be extremely grateful if you will publish this letter, so that any such confusion may be avoided this year.

My committee heartily supports Mr. Twomey's appeal for Christmas gifts for the unfortunate patients, of whom 127 are from New Zealand's dependencies. Such a worthy cause must surely appeal to all who can afford to give anything. But my committee would point out that, while the leper hospital at Makogai is maintained by the Government, the Sisters at Aurora Terrace have no regular source of income, and depend entirely on the charity of their friends and well-wishers. The convent is used as a centre for training young New Zealand women to fit them to nurse the lepers; also as a temporary rest home for nurses whose health has been adversely affected by the difficult work and severe climate at Makogai.

Prior to the war, the Sisters received a large measure of support from various European countries, but of course this has now been lost, and they are finding it exceedingly difficult to maintain the convent.- My committee therefore desires to appeal to all good friends of the Sisters to patronise the garden party or send donations, and tltereby help the Sisters in their work for the lepers.

A very interesting report was received recently in New Zealand from the superintendent of the Makogai Leper Settlement. This gentleman stated that he had had a long experience in connection with the work of caring for lepers in various parts of the world, and he desired to place it on record that, in his opinion, the nursing skill of the Sisters, at Makogai, and the care and attention bestowed upon their patients, were unsurpassed anywhere in the world. This is something of which all New Zaalanders may well be proud and should encourage us to do everything possible to assist in this great work of charity.—l am, etc.,

M. J. PHILLIPS, Hon. Secretary, Garden Party Committee.