New Life For Lecers

What Film Units Have Done in Makogai and Elsewhere

THE tragic but always interesting story of Makogai—the famous leprosarium in the Fiji Group—was told to the members of the Pacific Islands Society in Sydney, on March 28, by Mr. L. Neorr, who has been a businessman in Suva for 30 years, and who now has taken up his permanent supply of films, free of cost.

Mr. Noerr is interested in the film in dustry; and he combined with that his interest in the welfare of the Makogai lepers—with the result that, over the years, he was instrumental in getting an excellent film unit installed in the settle ment, and in arranging a regular and permanent supply of films, free of cost.

The regular film entertainment prob ably is the brightest spot in the drab lives of the people of Makogai; and those who introduced Mr. Noerr to the Society in Sydney emphasised the tremendous value of the work he had given—extending over many years, and at considerable personal sacrifice —to the leprosarium.

Mr. Noerr’s address was preceded by a coloured film (the work .of Suva photo grapher Charles Stinson) which showed the extraordinary tropical beauty of the island, and which was cleverly compiled so as to give spectators a good idea of the life of the leper community, and of the devoted staff which watches over it. A special tribute was paid to the Catholic nursing sisters, and to the service given by Dr. and Mrs. Austin.

Mr. Noerr made known the interesting fact that the well-known film distribu tors most generously donate copies of their films, both 35 mm. and 16 mm., without charge, to the Pacific leprosari ums. Through their kindness, also, it now has been found possible to arrange that the films so donated are screened at the TB institution at Tamavua, in Fiji, before they are sent on to Makogai.

Cooperating with Mr. Noerr, some of the distributors have arranged that cer tain films also are made available to Sister Irma, who is in charge of a small leprosarium in New Caledonia.

Although the patients never touch the film, the distributors do not put the films back into general circulation after the leper stations are finished with them — thev are burned.

Special Appeal For Solomons

Mr. Noerr has learned that there is a leprosarium at Tetere (in the Solomons, southward of Honiara). At Tetere there are 22 patients, 2 nursing sisters, and the overseer and his wife (Mr. and Mrs.

Whitty). Great pleasure could be- brought into the lives of these unfortunate people if they could occasionally be given a film entertainment. Films of 16 mm. could be supplied, but the station lacks a 16 mm. projector.

Mr. Noerr has asked the PIM if it will broadcast his appeal for a 16 mm. pro jector for Tetere; and we gladly do so.

“If some generous person could only realise the difference that this glimpse of the outside world makes in the lives of the lepers, he would not hesitate to make the donation,” said Mr, Noerr.

Mr. J. W. Ackroyd, Principal of the Nasinu Teachers Training College, Fiji, has left the Colony, with his family to spend long leave in England.

Mr. H. N. Hume, CBE, MC, one of the directors of the Colonial Development Corporation, and Lord and Lady Rennell, have paid a brief visit to Fiji.