Ernest the leper

Ernest the Leper is the story of a Tongan man simply known as Ernest, who led the leper colony at Makogai in the Fiji islands. Ernest was a self taught carpenter, engineer and organised a workshop, cinema, wharf and many other projects at the station. He became an unofficial spokesman and did a great deal to raise the profile of the station.
Much of this story was learnt from letters written to the New Zealand Leprosy Board representative PJ Twomey, who pays tribute to him. Ernest suffered from leprosy and spent 23 years working to raise the welfare and morale of patients at Makogai.
Also mentioned is C. J. Austin medical superintendent on Makogai.