MAKOGAI ISLAND

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 305, 22 November 1934, Page 4

MAKOGAI ISLAND

LOVELY AND LONELY. THE HOME OF THE LEPERS. An island set in the bluest of seas, where the fronds of the coconuts wave in the wind and the surf creams musically over the long coral reefs —that is Makogai, the leper island in the Fiji Group, which supports a population of about five hundred people. The disease comes in various forms, but since the discovery of the curative effects of chalnmgral oil many patients have overcome their affliction and have left the island cured. Nevertheless, new arrivals come steadily to Makogai, most of them from the islands of the South Seas, and the number of patients undergoing treatment is always relatively high. Away back before Makogai was heard of the famous Father Damen went to work among the lepers of Hawaii. His noble example was followed by others, and at Mai Mgai to day there is a devoted medical and nursing staff who are curing and brightening the lives of the sufferers. There are a number of Europeans among the patients, and several of them are New Zealanders.

The island of Makogai lies well off tlie beaten track for steamers trading about the Fijian Group. It is two and a-half miles long and a mile and a-half wide. Much of the formation of the island is rock, but here and there exceedingly rich soil yields prolific growth. The climate is hot, one of the reasons why Makogai was selected as an exclusive home for lepers. NEW ZEALAND NURSE.

When, in 1910, Makogai wns purchased by the Fijian Government, an appeal was made to Bishop Vidal to obtain the services of nursing sisters. As a result, two French nursing sisters and three native sisters of the Third Order of Mary left for the island. Today there are twenty-six nurses on the staff. Of this number fifteen are white women, including Miss Nellie Franklin, of Devon port, Auckland, who is now known as Sister M. Fidel is. A Government medical officer and a lay assistant resident are also included in the staff.

Each of the five leper villages has its own dispensary. The sexes are kept separate, and each nationality has its own village. The medical superintendent appoints a leper headman to each village. For this service the headman, who is responsible for the cleanliness of the village and the good behaviour of the inmates, is paid a small slim by the Government. The big kitchens, where the patients cook their own food, are presided over by native sisters. The most advanced cases of the disease are housed in two large hospitals in the centre of the island. Hero are to be seen the most pitiable sights — men and women with greatly swollen face.s and limbs, children with the faces of old men and women, sufferers who are totally blind. Despite their terrible affliction the patients bear their burdens with great fortitude, and even the worst eases bear a look of contentment, peace, and patience. APPEAL FOR COMFORTS.

The station at Makogai was established after the present medical officer of health at Auckland, Dr. T. J. Hughes, had visited the island and had made a report. The patients from Quail Island, in Lyttelton Harbour, were removed there nine years ago. The sufferers, he found were anxious to live useful lives, lmt there was a great need of material to enable them to do this. It was Dr. Hughes who inaugurated the appeal which is made to .Vow Zealanders about this time

each year for Christmas comforts for the patients. Like most good works the beginning was small and in the first year only six eases of goods were dispatched to the island. Through the years -that followed, the annual gilts became larger and last year the Christmas consignment that was shipped to Makogai totalled 75 cases. Photographs of the islands and the life there—several are reproduced on this page—give a good idea of Makogai and its little colony. Many of the patients are children, who are able to play on their island home, just as youngsters in any other place. Cricket is a popular game through all the seasons of the year, and when the sea is smooth the many model yachts which have been sent to the island from New Zealand are allowed to show their sailing qualities.