TEMUKA MAKOGAI LEPER STATION

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22063, 9 September 1941, Page 3

TEMUKA MAKOGAI LEPER STATION

Sisters’ Work Praised By Mayor

Lantern Lecture

Two Missionary Sisters on furlough from the Crown Colony of Fiji where they officiate as nurses at the leper station of Makogai. gave an interesting commentary on their work which was depicted by means of lantern slides at St. Joseph’s Hall last evening. The Mayor (Mr W. H. McMillan) extended a welcome to them.

"For many years we have heard of the wonderful work carried on by the Missionary Sisters on behalf of the most afflicted of the human family, and one has only to know of that work to feel the strongest possible sympathy for the sufferers and gratitude for those so nobly ministering to their needs,” said the Mayor. “The public of New Zealand reacted remarkably to '.he modest publicity given to the toper hospital and its nurses, and for many years an honorary staff under the chairmanship of Dr. Fletcher Telford with Mr P. J. Twomey as secretarytreasurer, has been functioning in Christchurch to deal with the stream of practical sympathy that was evoked. Christmas gifts for the patients, who number about 600. from the islands of the South Pacific and New Zealand, have been sent and thousands of pounds have been transmitted as well as Innumerable eases of gifts. The Government of Fiji attends to the matter of necessary finance. New Zealand friends providing the many extras that alleviate the lot of the sufferers. "Our two guests have not come to strengthen that appeal.” said the Mayor, "that is happily unnecessary. They come rather to say thank you for the kindly interest shown, and to allow their benefactors a little more into the secret of the work in whicn they have so generously invested. I am proud to know that Temuka has merited their attention, and wish to welcome them most cordially to our town. “At the beginning of this century,” continued the Mayor, Fiji had 1500 lepers, neglected, pitiable objects fast becoming a menace to the European population. The Makogai Hospital was planned and the staffing problem was solved when, in 1911, the Missionary Sisters already carrying out charitable and educational work in Fiji offered themselves for this post of sacrifice. Leprosy is always leprosy, but science has dealt with its ravages and many cures are registered. But better than science is the devotedness and love of the nursing sisters. Their motto is: All colours; all creeds; all for God and suffering humanity’.’’ GOLF Following is the draw for a medal round to-morrow: Miss Hancox v. Miss Mosley, Miss Gaffaney v. Miss Hanifln, Mrs Mclnnes v. Mrs Laurenson, Miss McShane v. Miss Austin, Miss Thomson v. Mrs Rix, Miss Spillane v. Mrs Brown, Miss Brownlee v. Miss Paterson, Mrs Robertson v. Mrs Smart, Mrs Clinch v. Mrs Temple, Mrs Drennan v. Mrs McCarrigan, Mrs Watson v. Mrs Gason, Mrs Whitehead v. Mrs Shand. In the semi-finals of the junior knock-out competition, Mrs Robertson beat Miss Brownlee, and Miss Paterson beat Mrs Smart. Miss Paterson beat Mrs Robertson in the final. EUCHRE PARTY At a euchre party organised by the Temuka Fire Brigade the following won prizes: Mesdames Rennie and Goodman, Messrs N. Walker and Fitzgerald. Mrs Double and B. Jamieson won mystery prizes. A competition was won by Mr G. Moulton.