GIFTS FOR LEPERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23175, 22 October 1938, Page 16

GIFTS FOR LEPERS

PATIENTS AT MAKOGAI THE CHRISTMAS APPEAL i NOBLE HUMANITARIAN WORK For the past 15 years New Zealanders have given assistance irom time to time in the noble humanitarian work which is conducted at the leper station at Makogai Island, I'iji. On this tropic island there are over 600 patients, condemned to years of isolation, but inspired with the hope of being cured by scientific treatment, and the annual appeal for Christmas gifts to be distributed among them has now been launched by Mr. D. L. Thomas, of 14 Summit Drive, Mount Albert. The annual gifts of Christmas cheer from New Zealand to the Makogai lepers have their genesis in a conversation more than 15 years ago between Mr. Thomas and Dr. T. J. Hughes, now medical officer of health at Auckland. Dr. Hughes had just returned from a trip to thfr island and he described to Mr. Thomas the selfless work of the doctors and the Mftrist sisters who wore oaring for the lepers. Mr. Thomas at that time was chairman of the Gladstone School Committee and his first appeal for Christmas comforts for the patients was made to the children of the school. There was a spontaneous response and the first cases of presents were sent off to Makogai to bring a measure of happiness to the afflicted. From that small beginning, Mr. Thomas has extended his appeal annually and last year 100 cases of goods were sent from Auckland to the leper station.

The most useful goods which can be forwarded to Mr. Thomas to be sent on to Makogai are materials for summer dresses, tobacco and cigarettes, fishing gear, sports goods, musical instruments and sweets. Donations of money will be used, as in the past, to purchase goods. Mr. Thomas hopes to have his appeal completed by the end of next month.

Assurances have been received annually by Mr. Thomas from the authorities at the leper station that the distribution of gifts has given great happiness to the patients. The gifts can also be regarded as a gesture of New Zealand's appreciation of the heroic and self-sacrificing work of the Catholic sisters of mercy.