LEPERS AT MAKOGAI

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21858, 11 August 1936, Page 8

LEPERS AT MAKOGAI

TO THE BDITOS, OF THE PEES 3. Sir,—l feel it is my duty, as well as a pleasure, to .appeal to our New Zealand people on behalf of our 577 leper friends at Makogai, Fiji. There are 78 leprous children at this station and more than 100 of the patients are from New Zealand and its depend€ncies. These sadly afflicted people eagerly look forward to the gifts sent to them and the arrival of the steamer from our shores at Christmas time is a real red letter day cn the Island. At about this festive season lepers may be seen wandering on the beach looking out to sea. When asked, “What are you looking for?” they have replied, “We are looking to see if there is any steamer coming from New Zealand. We hope they have not forgotten us.” , , , In March last I received a letter from a Fijian schoolboy, thanking us for what had been done to help them. The concluding paragraph of his letter reads thus: "We hope that you will remember us always.” Our little presents have helped the patients to keep their minds off the dread disease, reawaken their lost interest in life, and are an aid in their cure. Last year 47 patients were discharged as cured. The Chief Medical Officer of Christchurch, Dr. T. Fletcher Telford, is associated with me in this appeal, as joint trustee. „ Gifts sent by rail or post office and addressed to me for the lepers are now charged at half rates. Gifts may be sent to me, C/o. Christchurch Gas Company, Worcester street, and will be duly acknowledged in the newspaper and also by personal letter. Donations of cash will enable us to buy what may be in short supply, and all money is spent in New Zealand. We wish to express our sincere thanks for the great help given us in the past, and trust to receive a continuation of support to this most worthy appeal.—Yours, etc., R J. TWOMEY, Hon. Collector. August 10. 1936. FINE MUSIC TO THE EWITOB OF THE PEERS. Sir, —Mr Jolin Amadio told us tonight that it is not what a man plays but how he plays it that matters. Please let me protest at once against that doctrine. I submit that a fine artist should interpret fine works —that is, if he wishes to do his best to dedelight and elevate. A few days ago Mr- Amadio played Bach with such vim as made a new revelation, and I said, “This Is the greatest flautist that ever lived.” Just now he wasted himself on an insignificant work of his friend, Sir Edward German, and on a negro spiritual Friendship is admirable, and many like spirituals; but Mr Amadio would not tell us these things are likely to last.—Yours, etc., DISAPPOINTED. August 9, 1936.