Proposal For Plaque To N.Z. Tea-Drinkers

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30278, 2 November 1963, Page 21

Proposal For Plaque To N.Z. Tea-Drinkers

A plaque dedicated to the tea-drinkers of New Zealand may be placed on a new hospital dispensary which is to be built for the Melanesian Mission on the island of Ugi. in the British south Solomons.

The dispensary will be the first of a chain of dispensaries to be built throughout the territories of the southwest pacific. They will be memorials to the former secretary of the New Zealand Lepers' Trust Board, Mr P. J. Twomey. The cost of the Ugi dispensary will be met from funds raised by the collection of tea coupons in New Zealand. Mr Twomey first suggested that a plaque to New Zealand’s tea drinkers be placed on the building. Hie Ugi dispensarv, which will cost £3OOO, is being built by voluntary mission labour.

‘The New Zealand public took up with enthusiasm Mr Twomeys suggestion that they should collect tea coupons as a means of saving the lives of mothers and their babies living under primitive conditions in the Solomons,” says the newly-appointed secretary of the Lepers’ Trust Board (Mr D. Douglas). “Mr Twomey is dead, but his life work is being carried on as the Leper Man Appeal and I am sure that our New Zealand benefactors, collectors of tea coupons included; will support the appeal just as generously as during the lifetime of the Leper Man.” The appeal for tea coupons continues and by January 31, the Lepers’ Trust Board hopes sufficient funds should be available from this source to

build two additional treatment centres, one each for the Methodist and Roman Catholic Missions in the south Solomons. It is hoped the public will continue contributing coupons, as there are many projects which can be financed by this means.

Mr Twomey was on his way to the New Hebrides and Solomons when he became ill and died a few days later. It was his intention to visit Ugi and make on-the-spot arrangements for building the dispensary there.