LEPER ISLAND FOR NEW ZEALAND .

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13861, 26 March 1907, Page 5

LEPER ISLAND FOR NEW ZEALAND .

STRONG PROTEST TO BE MADE. (Fjiom Our. Ow>r Conhespoxdext.) „. , WELLINGTON, March 25. ~,.lsland, off frlio mouth of llic Waikanao River, on the west, coa-st of this island, some 40 miles from Wellington, is a beautiful spot, with an interesting flora, and avi fauna. lis importance has hce.il recognised, and the greater portion of it: lias been reserved as a sanctuary for native hires. In (i mo (o come it will, in the culinary course of events, he a most interoshng spot for Iho tourist or tho ordinary New Zcslandor to visit, as, apart from ih beauty and the flora and fauna. it has historic associations connected with that famous Maori, To Uauparaha. It; appears, however, that: by some extraordinary recommendation tiia Government has decided lo turn it into a leper island. This action on the part of the authorities is bitterly resenicd by the settlers on Iho coast, and they hope to induce the Government to abandon I,ho scheme. ' At a public meeting to be held at Paraparaumn to-night, the following motion will be proposed—" That, this meeiing views with the utmost abhorrcncc iho proposal of the Ministry 1o establish a leper station on Kapiti Island, nnd condemns tho action of the -Ministry in the strongest, possible terms, and that this meeting, declares ih.at the Wovernment has no right, cither Divine or human, lo introduce lepers into a clean, inhabited' district contrary to tho wishes of 1 lie inhabitants."