LEPERS OF MAKOGAI
TEN DISCHARGES GRANTED.' AMENITIES OF SETTLEMENT. Makogai leper station has been acknowledged as one of tlie very best of its kind in the world. It is constantly being improved, and the latest improvements are a road, which bisects tho island, enabling the medical superintendent to reach the leper settlement quickly in case of need; and a large dam, which finally solves tlie problem- of water supply. Last week tho chief medical officer, Dr. Pearce, visited the island. When interviewed, lie said that twenty-five years ago leprosy
was regarded as incurable. That was not the case now. During liis visit he held a board of discharge, v and the ten persons presented to him he ordered to be discharged as .cured. These discharges are of regular occurrence, and are largely due to chaulmoogra oil.
The Fiji Government recently gave employment to workless men by clearing an area of the old Nasinu Experimental Farm and planting 500 Chaulmoogra trees. It is hoped, later to plant more, and so have an independent supply to provide the prized oil for the patients of Makogai Island: The patients are grouped in settlements. each nationality or race having its own. These people are under a head man, and have gardens and all sorts of amusements,such as gramophones. tools for carpentry, etc., and also canoes or boats for fishing and rowing. Then the latest is a cinema, the films being provided by an American visitor who saw what was needed, and told the sisters that they would never be short of films. He has kept his word, and two or three times weekly the pictures are thrown upon a screen erected in the open air under the stars.
The patients are tended by Sisters of tile Third Regular Order of Mary, who make an annual appeal for' jilts' each November. For Christchurch iffi.V appeal is made through Mr Ren C. Pratt, a voluntary worker who has the happiness of the lepers at heart.
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Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1931, Page 3
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329LEPERS OF MAKOGAI Hokitika Guardian, 7 September 1931, Page 3
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