TO WORK AMONG LEPERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 66, 19 March 1930, Page 3

TO WORK AMONG LEPERS.

NEW ZEALAND VOLUNTEER. DEVONPORT GIRL'S DEPARTURE. Resolved to make her life's work the care of the lepers 011 Mokogai Island, Miss Nellie Franklin, of Devonport, will leave Auckland to-morrow afternoon 011 the Ulimaroa, en route to Lyons, France, where she will receive medical training and serve her novitiate for the Third Regular Order of Mary. That order, composed almost entirely of trained nurses, furnishes the hospital staff for the leper station, and most of the volunteer sisters live and die thereMiss Franklin, who is not yet 21 years of age, believed some time ago that she had a vocation for the religious life, especially for work among lepers, but she was persuaded to wait for a time before seeking entrance to the Order. She will be the first New Zealand nun to work among the lepers, most of the sisters being French. Her novitiate will extend over a period of three years. Till recently Miss Franklin, who is well known for lier charitable work in Auckland and Devonport, was in the office of a city land agent. She was an enthusiastic visitor of the poor and sick, and frequently went unaccompanied 011 her errands of mercy. For several years Miss Franklin has been organist and ehoirmistress at the Roman Catholic Parish Church, Devonport, and an active worker at bazaars and other parish activities. She was a popular member of the Devonport Tennis Club. To-night, Catholics and friends will bid farewell to Miss Franklin at a social in the parish hall. She has been the recipient of many gifts, including devotional books from the Rev. Father Furlong and the bishop of the diocese, Dr. Liston, with whose special blessing she undertakes her work.