Model Leper Settlement

What Tahiti is Doing for Sufferers

From Our Own Correspondent.

Papeete, Nov. 2.

OOD work is being done in Tahiti by the local branch of the organisation known as the “Association des Dames Francaise de la Croix Rouge.’’ Lately their efforts have been sucessfully concentrated upon the amelioration of conditions in the leper settlement at Orofara, which contains some 125 inmates, brought from the various islands of French Oceania.

The settlement occupies an ideal natural site, situated on the north side of the island, about eight miles from Papeete,

and consists of a valley running inland from the sea for a mile or more, to all of which the patients have access, and which they use for planting such native fruits and food stuffs as they need. The stream watering the valley has a waterfall which is now to be utiised as a source of power for electric lighting and other purposes.

A ball and lottery organised by the As sociation on August 15 last produced suf ficient funds, when added to those already contributed privately by local philanthro phists, to provide a new amusement house for the unfortunate people at Orofara,

which cannot fail to add greatly to their contentment and bring many days of real enjoyment, The new structure, which was opened on October 26, is a two-story building of wood and concrete, the lower one being divided into parts so that visitors may talk with, and pass gifts over to, their sick friends and relations on the other side. The upper story is fitted up for cinema shows, two of which are given free every month by the sympathetic Tony Bambridge, who is the proprietor of the “Theatre Modern’’ in Papeete.

In addition to this innovation, which the Red Cross Association has been able to bring about, thanks to the good-will and material help of the Administration, His Excellency Governor Montaigne has given orders for the construction of a new kitchen outside of the leper village, where food will be prepared three times a day for all the internees, At the inauguration of the new build ing, which provided an occasion for fes tivity, and the presence of a large number of visitors, speeches worthy of the event were made by Monsieur Montirossi, Pro

cureur of the Republic, officiating on be half of the Governor; by M. Henry Grand, President of the Red Cross Association; and by Mr. Geo. Bambridge, Mayor of Papeete.

The orchestra, directed by Mr, William Bambridge, was in attendance at the pro ceedings, and a native guitar band and. singing troupe from the district of Puna avia, gave a performance highly appre ciated by the inhabitants of the valley.

At the first cinema show, which was held later in the evening, His Excellency the Governor was fortunately able to be present, and was much affected by the expressions of gratitude from several native chiefs, who sincerely appreciated, the great care taken of their suffering fellow-creatures in Orofara and the solici tude for their welfare he had shown.

In a suitable reply the Governor said that he would continue to do everything within his power to ameliorate the con ditions within the settlement, and he also thanked, in his own name, and in the name of humanity, the two devoted French nurses who live in the valley, and who have so splendidly assisted the doctors in attending to the sick.

As it now seems to be definitely estab lished that leprosy is curable in the early stages of the disease, it is proposed, in the near future, to set up a separate clinic for the treatment of such cases as fall within this category.

Part of the Orofara establishment, showing the new cinema hall, and the Catholic and Protestant Churches, close up, one on either side.