The Story of a Leper

By P. J. Twomey, Mbe

IN 1943—when, as Secretary of the Lepers Trust Board, NZ, I visited the lepers isolated on Makogai Island, Fiji—l met a patient of unusual quality.

His Christian name was Ernest.

He had exercised a great influence for good over 2,500 lepers at Makogai. He was outstanding among men as the oak among the smaller trees.

From his own lips, through the ex change of letters and from first-hand information, I learnt the story of his life. Ernest was born at Vavau. in the Tongan Group, his father being a Ger man trader and his mother a full-blooded Tongan. After completing his primary education he was sent to New Zealand in 1923, to attend a College not far from Hastings. Here he remained for about 3 years. At the end of 1925 it was dis covered that he was afflicted with leprosy.

The Medical Authorities isolated him and finally he went to Makogai Central Leper Settlement for the South Pacific.

Shortly after Ernest’s arrival at Makogai he was made an assistant teacher in the Boys’ School. At this time his standard of education was equivalent to the 4th Form in a New Zealand College, which is quite a high standard for a half caste lad. ffn appearance he might easily have passed as European.

About 12 months after his arrival at his new home Ernest’s mother died at Vavau and in writing to me he said: “My mother and I were the best pals that ever lived”. There were now left in the Vavau home 2 young girls and their father. Unfortunately, it was not long before the father was stricken with an illness which prevented him from working.

Ernest made a great success of teach ing and, being clever with his hands, he was given assistance for the school work and was then asked to organise a workshop where boys and men could be instructed in carpentry, boatbuilding, engineering and other trades that would be useful to them in the event of their being discharged. Ernest appealed to the Lepers’ Trust Board in New Zealand to assist him in his new task. We scoured

the shops and stores and supplied him with text-books on the various trades, and special tools and equipment, and after much persevering work he became a most proficient tradesman. He could build a house or a boat, overhaul an engine, drive a car, instal electricity and even repair any piece of machinery. He was also a splendid musician and, as long as he could use his hands, he played the cornet beautifully in the band which he had formed.

The Government authorities, realising the immense amount of work that this lad was doing, decided to pay him a small

sum for his services. With his savings Ernest now became the main support of his father and two young sisters. It is not often that one hears of a sufferer from leprosy earning money and sending it home to support his loved ones.

Ernest had a strong Christian faith and, after one of his many illnesses, he wrote to me: “God has not quite made up his mind as to whether he should take me now or later—however, here we are again.” On another occasion he wrote: “I wonder if you could get me an illuminated Crucifix that will shine in the dark. I would like to get one to hang on my bed. I’m often awake at night with pains and cramps and, when unable to sleep, I would like to look at Our Lord suffering on the Cross. This helps me to bear my Cross.”

THIS young man had a very high ideal, and he decided to learn as much as he could so that he would be of service to those stricken around him.

He was a great reader, v and studied music and art, acquiring a culture that was really worthwhile. His whole am bition was to be able to pass this culture on to others.

On one occasion he surprised me by writing and asking for copies of plays . . . and would you believe that he produced “Merchant of Venice” in costume—acted in English by an all-boy cast! With the sports material sent from New Zealand he was able to organise numerous games and on this one island there were 5 cricket teams. He also assisted in

Ernest.

organizing concerts for the women and girls.

He had an extraordinary influence for good among all at Makogai whether Christian or pagan and for 11 years he was one of my most valued correspond ents. My friend, Dr. C. J. Austin (Medical Superintendent there) once remarked to me: “There is only one Ernest . . . there will never be another like him . . . he can always be relied upon.” He was certainly outstanding among the 700 sufferers isolated on this island. His sincerity and kindly service to others has made him kingly among men.

The Colonial Government in Fiji was so much impressed that the British Government was approached about the bestowal of a decoration on him; but, as Ernest was of German descent and had not been naturalised, nothing could be done. However, the then Secretary of State for the Colonies wrote to Ernest to thank him for all the good he had done in teaching useful trades, and par ticularly for his good influence among his fellow sufferers.

During this young man’s life-time at Makogai 834 patients were discharged, cured: and at one stage it seemed there was a chance of Ernest being freed from the disease. But Providence had other designs, or, shall I say, “man proposes but God disposes”. Ernest remained a leper and so Makogai retained its leader.

During most of the time he suffered much, but there was always a smile on his face. In speaking to him I got the impression that here was a man who truly loved his fellow-men, and was 100% manly. He seemed always to be thinking of how he could help others. One of his last works on his lonely outpost was to build a recreation ground at Makodraga,

about half a mile from Makogai. In a launch and punt of his own construction he would take the women and children for a picnic. These picnics are a great joy to the patients, as they do not feel so confined when they are able to change islands even for half a day. The authorities encouraged these outings.

Through the generosity of the New Zealand people we were able to supply £lOO worth of cement to enable Ernest and his boys to construct a concrete wharf as a suitable entrance to this picnic ground. It was arduous work and, as Ernest was always ailing, he was ad vised not to work so hard; but, like the famous Damien, of Molokai, in Hawaii, he desired to give his all, to struggle to the end, to die in harness.

In December, 1947, weakness forced him to remain in bed. Many of his fellow sufferers came to visit him and he edified all those who beheld his patience and resignation to God’s will. On January 18, 1948, with a smile on his face, he passed peacefully away while the good Nursing Sisters and his dearest friends were praying around his bedside.

He was then 40 years of age, having been a leper for 23 years. ■ i ■ '■ - . \ Mr. A. J. Halls, who was formerly in Port Moresby on the staff of the broad casting station, is returning to Papua as Publications Officer on the staff of the Director of Education.

The Rev. and Mrs. W. E. Moorhouse, of the Anglican Mission, after a long period of service in Polynesia, were spending their furlough in Victoria in January.

The Rev. and Mrs. A. W. Guy, who went back to Papua to help rehabilitate the Methodist Mission after the war, have

now retired. Other Methodist Mission aries who went back to Papua-New Guinea to help out over the post-war period are Miss Mary Woolnough and Miss Daisy Coltheart. These two workers have now also retired.

Owing to ill-health, Miss Doris Roger son, who has been with the Methodist Mission in Fiji for a number of years, has had to return permanently to Australia.