ON MOKONGAI

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12249, 22 September 1925, Page 8

ON MOKONGAI

“SUMMER ISLE OF EDEN” CHARMING SPOT FOR LEPERS THREE HUNDRED IN RESIDENCE. (By Telegraph—Special to ‘‘Times.”) AUCKLAND, September 21. “This is good enough for me,” exexclainied one of the New Zealand leper patients taken down by the Hinemoa when lie stepped ashore at Mokongai; the charming little “summer isle of Eden.” which lies off the east side of the island of Ovalau, and almost opposite Levnka, the .old capital of the Fijis. Dr. J. T. Hughes, medical officer of health at Auckland, who went down in charge of the party, speaks very enthusiastically of the island* and the devoted work of the small band of men and women who have devoted their lives to the care of the unfortunate 300 sufferers from leprosy who have been gathered%from all parts of tlie British territory in the Pacific and concentrated at this one island. Dr. Hughes went down in the'Government steamer Hinemoa, taking in all nine New Zealand lepers, who have been added to the Mokongai’s unfortunate population. Dr. Hughes returned by the steamer this afternoon, and he told a reporter that the patients had a good trip on the whole, and they expressed themselves very pleased with their future home; one or them bursting out with the exclamation mentioned above when he saw what a beautiful spot had been chosen. Mokongai, said the doctor, is a very lovely spot even for the Pacific, and the patients get tlie very best of attention and medical skill. After landing the New Zealand lepers the Hinemoa went oVer to Samoa, and there picked up eight more which she took to Mokongai, which now houses all the unfortunates in Now Zealand territory suffering from the disease. The 300 patients at Mokongai are of all nationalities — Polynesians, Melanesians, Fijians, Samoans, and Europeans. They are in charge of a medical superintendent, a lay caretaker,' and ten sisters, who have devoted themselves to.this noble self-sacrificing work. Naturally in controlling such a large number of people discipline has to be insisted upon, and Dr. Hughes thinks this may sit rather awkwardly on New Zealand patients for a while, but he is sure they will soon get used to it and see its benefits. Dr. Hughes was on the island three days, and had a good opportunity of thoroughly inspecting everything and seeing the way the patients live. The hospitals and everything connected with the treatment of the disease are of the very latest, and are wonderfully well managed. A certain number of cures are made, and while the Hinemoa was at the island several were waiting their discharge' SPLENDIDLY MANAGED “It is the best organised and tlie best managed institution of its kind in the world,” said Dr. Hughes, summing up lus impressions. He mentioned that ho had conversed with a number of i patients! who all expressed themselves thoroughly satisfied with their treatment and environment. It was impossible to imagine a more beautiful situation in which to place these unfortunate people. Far from being unhappy they seemed to be a very contented community. Part of the discipline was that they should work two days a week without pay for the general good of the community But if they worked on other days they received pay, which they could spend at the general store where thev could buy most of the necessities of life and ftiany little luxuries. As for their amusements, the patients had their own boats, and had plenty of boating and fishing. Various games were played, and there was no lack of suitable amusement. The island even had its own cinema; a small one, it was true, but still a good one. The stock of films was in need of replenishment, and the island would be grateful if some were donated. The New Zealand party took down a listening-in set, which was much appreciated, and all the island now wants is a means of transmitting so that they can keep in touch with Suva and Levuka. Dr. Hughes said the New Zealanders were very ‘favourably impressed with Mokongai, and if the Pacific had been searched from end to end he did not believe a more suitable spot could have been selected.