“Yellow Press And

Malaita.”

Note from Dr. Maybury.

[Letter to the Editor] I have just received a copy of “The Pacific Islands Monthly” of February.

On page 30 is an article entitled, “Yellow Press and Malaita.”

You are quite right in assuming that I did not suspect that my remarks would be so distorted. As medical officer to the Hospital of the Epiphany, Fauabu, North Mala, I do know a little about the health of the Mala folk, and would like to repeat that my remarks about the work that our hospital and leper colony were trying to do have been grossly exaggerated—even my figures of population have been increased!

The fact that place names have been muddled up with names of islands will show you that the said reporters only wanted some bloodcurdling copy for their papers. I much regret that I gave an interview to any of the gentlemen in question.

Needless to say, I am in entire agree ment with your article, though I am bound to admit that until May 10 I knew that there would be no European doctor on Mala; but the native medical practi tioner at Auki, under the D. O., is doing excellent work; this I know from my own relations with him (Malachi Ravai).

As editor of the P.I.M., you will realise that I, a resident of the Solomons for the last five years, would be the last to want to damage the islands that I love, and to which I hope to return to later, if my wife’s health permits.

I hope the reporters of the “Yellow Press” noted the fact that a new medi cal officer has been appointed to the hospital, and that he is now at Fauabu —Dr. F. A. Macpherson. This should help to clean up the disease-ridden is land of Malaita!

Your periodical was a great boon while I was at Fauabu, keeping one in touch with general island activities of all kinds.

I am, etc..

L. Montague Maybury,

late Medical Officer, Hospital of the Epiphany, Fauabu.

Southsea, England. 23/5/1933.