QUAIL ISLAND LEPERS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1925, Page 4

QUAIL ISLAND LEPERS

Til Kilt I'TTIHK lIHMK. A I'CK LAXI). June Is. The nine lepers, consisting of four •Maoris, two Chinese and three Huropeum; wlm are shortly lo lie transferred from (,hind Island, Lytlclhni I larli iiir, to Mokogai leper station in Hie Kiji group are assured of a delightful home. Dr Frengley. of Auckland Hospital, who returned to Auckland to-day by the Navua alter live weeks among typhoid eases al Suva, had the opportunity of visiting Afokngai, and staled that il was one of ihe most beautiful and alirnclivc islands that could be found anywhere. .Mokogai, an island, with an area of aboul live .square miles, lies about twenlylivo miles norih-easl of l.cvukii.

“There are seine .‘lit) lepers living mi this delightful place,” said Dr Frengley, “and I am Fold that many who recover from the scourge o! leprosy do not waul to leave it. Here in a tropical climate, surrounded by all tho beatifies of Nature, the lepers pass away the time as happily as is possible, indeed, the New Zealand lepers could not go to a heller place.” I)r. Neff, a ('andaian, was in i barge of the station, and he had eight nuns assisting. They were wondorltil people and were doing wonderful work. The island was equipped with schools and an up-to-date hospital with proper wauls, etc. F.veiyt liiug passible was done to ensure the happiness of the lepers, and among other tilings there was a picture palace. "Sine songs" were a popular form of entertainment. Few of the lepers were in n had state, hut the majority of them were, improving. Marriage is prohibited, and the men and women live in different settlements. Both sexes are allowed to intermingle, however. at certain periods during the (lav.

Dr Frongley was greatly impressed with tilt* economic conditions existing on the island. The lepers grew all their own food ami were paid tor theii labour. They also ran a co-operative store and generally spent their earnings in small luxuries, such as tobacco, etc. The community was run hv lepers for lepers. They had their own policemen. whose duty it was to see that everything proceeded smoothly. All the patients ar present at Quad Island have consented to go to Moko--mi. The Quail Island station will be closed, and the cost of maintenance of tho lepers at Mokogai will he borne bv the Now Zealand Government.