JET-BOAT GIFT

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30499, 22 July 1964, Page 6

JET-BOAT GIFT

Launch For Islands

“Paddle your own canoe” is the advice given to doctors on Tarawa, headquarters island of the Gilbert and Ellice groups, when they have to get to urgent cases around the lagoon. Much of the lagoon is so shallow that only canoes can approach the land. But that problem is soon to be solved by the presentation of a jet boat to the islands’ medical department. It is a fast, 15ft boat, and the £l3OO needed to buy it was given by New Zealanders through the Lepers’ Trust Board.

The launch is to be called Taraway Twomey in memory of Mr P. J. Twomey, the “Leper Man”, who died in August last year. Mr Twomey was secretary of the trust board.

Mr D. Douglas, his successor, said that the main hospital at Tarawa was approached through shallow water, and the new boat would be able to skim right up to the beach. Dr. •C. H. Gurd, inspectorgeneral of medical services for the South-west Pacific, had told the board that a jet boat was the only type that could do the job. The formal presentation of the launch will be made at Lake Bryndwr this afternoon to Mr M. L. Bernacchi, former Resident Commissioner of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) will attend, and the launch will be dedicated by the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. W. A. I Pyatt).