The Hawaiian gazette., 1874-06-24
Visit to The Leper Settlement.

In accordance with resolution of the Legi
ative Assembly the steamer Kilauea was q
ready on Saturday to take the Special Commit,
and those of the representatives who wished
visit the Leper Asylum, and at about 10 ocloc
on Saturday evening left the wharf for Moloka
Besides the members of the Assembly referre
to, there were His Ex. the Minister Of the Int,
riOr, who is also President of the Board of Healtl
Dr.. r. McKibbin, DR.. Jones of the Benicia, D.
Akoua, Mr.. w. R. Powell of New York. lth
two latter having made application to visit tn
lepers,) and a few others.
At halfpast eight on Sunday morning tn
steamer anchored in the bay of Kalaupapa, abou
a mile from the landing. Soon after. the who'll
party were landed and received by Mr.. R. w
Meyers, the agent of the Board, who seems I,
act, and very worthily too, as lieutenant governo
of Molokai, and Mr.. Ragsdale, superintendent o
the leper settlement. The object of the vis
was TO investigate the truth Of complaints which
had been sent to the Legislative Assembly re.
garding the treatment of the lepers. To the
committee of six, which consisted of Messrs
kaai, Mikalem Birch, Kaiue, Kapule and Ma
wahi. was entrusted this work
Within a short time after landing. the party
were all mounted aud on the road to the settle
ment, which is some two miles inland. About
halfway to the hospital we came to the dwelling
OF Peter Y. Kaeo, where we heard the first com.
plants, which appeared to be more or less gene
raj Arriving at the hospital, we found besides
it, a store and dispensary, the latter in charge
OF Mr.. Williams. A more cheerful and happy
spirit it would be difficult to find in any country.
After examining the several hospital buildings
which we found clean, airy and in order, and the
store, the Committee returned to the dispensary
to hold its meeting, in front of which the lepers
we're gathered together to make their statements.
There were also present His Elk. w. L. Green.
President, and Hon. Messrs. S. g. Wilder and j.
Moanauh, members of the Board besides several
of the Representatives, and others. A number
Of the lePers, Of both sexes. participated as
speakers, the sum and substance of their COM
plants being: las regards food, an INSULT
cheney OF pai-ai and Partially on the part of
the lunas tsub-agents) in dispensing it. 2-They
denied the right on the part Of Mr.. Ragsdale as
agent Of the Board, to assess one-fourth of the
produce raised by or for them. 3-That the
prices charged at the store for clothing, ETC. are
too high. 4-That their assistants might be al
lowed to carry their surplus produce to market.
5-That q suitable physician be provided for
and TO dwell among them. Other minor COM
plants we're made by individuals, but there were
none against the Board of Health.
After spending some time in listening to the
at the meeting, we sought the various
groups scattered about in the vicinity of the hos
pital. for the purpose of ecitng all that we could
their condition and treatment We
found among them great many who appeared
to be very well satisfied. They seemed to appre-
ciate the efforts Of the Board for their welfare
and acknowledged that in material point of view
they were better of than they had been at their
own homes, and than are most Of the natives ly-
ng on the islands. On being told that the people
n Honolulu had been living greater part of the
line lately on rice, owing TO the scarcity of moi
which prevails during certain portions of the year
md that other parts OF the islands Jared worse
70 much so that the poor were obliged to live on
cots, the lepers fairly acknowledged misappre-
tension Of their situation In fact. as near as |
ould be ascertained the principal cause of all this
omplaint as to food emanated from few dis.
spirits, and not from any real distress
hus 1t was shown them, and to their satisfaction
bat the deficit in the supply of pai-ai was un-
voidable
OF all the complaints which the lepers have t
lade the only reasonable one which NAV iustlv :
e sustained is that they need resident pbvsi. !
ian among them and we would urge the Lewis. b
Iture to consider this matter and provide one. E
With the exception of few written directions 5
lried out by the dispensary officer. and the !
pituitary medical assistance rendered them by a
ev. Father Andrea, temporarily there during I
lie absence of Rev. Father Damiens, the lepers c
e without any proper medical assistance. The "
oard Of Health is doing rll in its power to ale Il
ate the misery iuseparable from leprosy. as far ?
the means furnished them go, and We think tc
ey deserve well Of the people But it is bic II
B and requires vast amount Of patience and IA
Oney to do what is now done That more can b.
done if the funds are provided no one doubts. D,
Mt where are the funds coming from? as
On her return the steamer left KaIaupapa at r
lfpast four on Sunday afternoon. and after "
ssage of six hours and half reached her wharf W
Honoluu. N