Murphys Flat is an area near Macraes Flat which was worked for gold in the late 19th century. As often happened, it was worked by European miners who moved on to the next (hopefully) rich area and then mined by Chinese miners, who were more methodical and prepared to work harder for the gold they found.
According to Heritage New Zealand, local tradition is that a Chinese miner lived there alone for many years, confined to his hut, before dying of leprosy.
PALMERSTON SOUTH LEPER
TO THE EDITOR.
Sir, Would you kindly allow me space in your columns to correct a statement which you have published regarding the case or leprosy. I may state that it happens to be at Murphy's Flat, some two or three miles from Macraes Flat. I also fail to see that the patient is isolated, as he has, as far as I can see, a free hand to go where he pleases, having been in the township once or twice since the health officer's visit. If every precaution has been taken, I don't think he would he visiting the township — probably buying provisions from our local storekeepers. I think instructions should have been left to have his provisions taken to within a reasonable distance of his hut. Hoping measures will at once be taken by the authorities to have him taken away for the benefit of the health of the residents of Macraes,
— I am, etc., A RESIDENT.
[The health officer informs us that if what is stated by our correspondent is correct it is evident that his instructions are not being carried out. He intends to inquire into the matter, and, if necessary, the unfortunate Chinaman will be removed to some place where he can be property isolated. — Ed. O. D. T.] -Otago Daily Times, 12/12/1901.
WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL (excerpt)
The Chief Health Officer, Wellington, wrote stating that, with Dr Ogston, he visited the Chinese leper at Macraes, and expressed the opinion as to there being no doubt about the disease, but there was no great risk of infection at present. Bearing in mind the awful nature of the disease, it behoved all to join hands in securing the absolute safety of the general public. He pointed out that under section 37 of "The Public Health Act, 1900," the responsibility of providing a suitable house or hospital for all cases of infectious diseases was cast upon the local authority in whose district the infected person resided. He suggested that the council should erect a building in which the leper could be isolated and treated until it was decided what were the best steps to be taken for a final solution of the difficulty. He recommended the council to make arrangements with some storekeeper to supply the leper patient with food, left at a gate leading to the paddock in which the hut was. He had warned the leper to hold no communication with any one, Chinese or English, and that he must not pass beyond the gate in question. This he agreed to. — The clerk was instructed to write to the district health officer, pointing out to him the desirability of removing the leper to some place where there would exist less danger of the infection spreading. -Otago Daily Times, 21/1/1902.
The District Health Officer (Dr Ogston, Dunedin) wrote referring to the fact that the council were not isolating the Chinaman at Macraes Flat, and that a .motion had been carried at the last meeting lo the effect that the leper should be removed, as it was impossible to prevent his countrymen from having access to him. Having thus failed to carry out their duty, the council wished to throw the onus on him, as district health officer. Had they read and studied the Public Health Act? In section 37 and onwards the council could see their duty in such cases; and, if they wished it, and could face the expense, he would, on his part, have no objection to ask the Chief Health Officer, to act on that first section, ordering the council to provide and equip a special hospital for this special case. This, meantime, only way in which the department could help. — After considerable discussion, the council resolved to erect a sod hut covered with an iron roof, and to put up a notice that any person seen communicating with the leper in any shape or form would be prosecuted. -Otago Daily Times, 22/4/1902.
Some comment was made at the meeting of the Waihemo Comity Council on Saturday with reference to the account received for supplying provisions to the Chinese leper who is isolated at Macraes. The cost of providing him with the necessaries of life from January 11 to May 12 — a period of four months — amounted to £8 3s 3d, and councillors were almost unanimous in expressing the opinion that the amount was exceedingly large. Rice figured prominently in the items, 3s 6d worth of that commodity having been supplied almost every week. The fact that the cost of keeping the Chinaman has been saddled on the council was also commented on, the opinion being expressed that that duty should devolve on the Charitable Aid Board, to which body the council contributed. -Otago Daily Times, 19/5/1902.
THE MACRAES LEPROSY CASE.
DISCUSSION AT WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL.
At the meeting of the Waihemo County Council on Saturday some discussion arose regarding the case of a Chinaman, at Macraes, supposed to be suffering from leprosy.
A letter was read from the Rev. C. Anderson Fraer, stating that having occasion, in the round of his parochial duties, to be in Macraes on July 6. When returning, on July 7, he had done so by way of Murphy's Flat, where the Chinaman reported to have leprosy had been isolated. He had done this thati he might discover the truth of certain reports concerning the habitation of the unfortunate man. What he saw more than confirmed the rumours he had heard. The hut in which the Chinaman lived was distinctly not fit for human habitation, and it was, he would say further, a reflection on common humanity that better accommodation was not provided before winter. The hut was dilapidated, one wall — that most exposed to the wind — had been blown in, and the roof was partly open. The Chinaman had vainly attempted to shelter himself from the weather by hanging bags round the wall. A comfortable, or at least weather-proof habitation, was imperatively necessary.
Councillor Griffin had accompanied him (the writer) upon his visit. Cr Griffen said the Rev. C. A. Fraer's teller bore out what he (Cr Griffin) had said at the previous council meeting. The statements in the letter were true, and he moved that the council should take steps to provide the Chinaman with a more comfortable habitation.
The motion was not seconded.
Cr D. Ross said the Chinaman was now in his own hut, but at the time of the previous meeting he had been in the other hut. On Wednesday and Thursday last he had been nowhere to be found. Two other Chinamen were digging near by, and they knew nothing about him. He (Cr Ross) did not believe the case was one of leprosy at all.
Another letter was read from Dr Ogston, health officer, saying that he had sent on the council's communication to Wellington, but had had no reply so far. He therefore concluded the council would have to manage the affair for themselves. The Chinaman, when he (Dr Ogston) had seen him last, had said the loss of the fingers and toss was due to leprosy, but he (Dr Ogston) had seen too many eases of leprosy in Norway to be mistaken in his diagnosis, besides which he had sent the photographs taken by Dr Mason to an authority at Home, who had pronounced it undoubtedly true leprosy. If the proprietor of the ground made any further objection, he (the health officer) could, under the Public Health Act, authorise the council to appropriate it for the purpose in question.
The Chairman said he had written to Dr Ogston for authority to erect a hut, but the letter before the council was the only satisfaction received. He was not going to rush into extreme measures with the proprietor of the land on a letter like that. It was curious that Dr Ogston should send to Wellington if he had authority to deal with the matter.
Cr Griffin said it was not necessity to apply to anyone as the ground was Crown land, and the occupier had only leased it. He moved that steps should be taken to obtain accommodation for the leper at once.
Cr D. Ross thought the chairman should visit the place. It was also necessary to inquire what was becoming of all the provisions sent to the Chinaman, as the provision box had disappeared. It was apparent that the Rev. Mr Fraer had been led round the place by Cr Griffin in order to back up his statements at the previous meeting.
Cr Griffin indignantly denied this, and said the Rev. Mr Fraer had requested him (Cr Griffin) to accompany him.
Cr J. Ross: I don't think either Mr Fraer or you had any right to go there.
The Chairman said there was something curious about Dr Ogston's letter. How could a man at Home pronounce a case to be leprosy from a photograph.
Cr J. Ross thought the Benevolent Trustees should be approached with a view to getting them to take charge of the case.
The Chairman said he did not believe it was a case of leprosy. It was more like frostbite.
Cr D. Ross said the Chinaman was quite capable of earning his own living. There was no open sore to be seen, and the skin had grown over the fingers. The Chinaman had himself said it was frost-bite.
Cr Stewart said there was a motion on the book to the effect that the council should provide a hut. He would give notice to move at nest meeting that the motion should be rescinded.
The Chairman said he believed this was a case of frost-bite, and that the Chinaman had been in the same condition at Naseby six years ago. This was current rumour, and if it were true he did not see how it could be leprosy. If he went out now and worked at digging for gold there could not be so very much wrong with him. The council had been authorised to receive any gold the Chinaman was getting, but there had been none forthcoming, and it was not known what became of it.
It was finally decided, on Cr Isbister's motion, that both letters should be received. At the conclusion of the meeting, Cr Griffin moved that tenders should be called for the erection of a hut for the Chinaman, but the motion, finding no seconder, lapsed. -Otago Daily Times, 21/7/1902.
THE CASE OF A LEPER.
Last year the Waihemo County Council was (says the “Otago Daily Times”) informed by the Health Department that a Chinaman at Macraes had developed leprosy and therefore the infected man must be confined to a certain area and provided with suitable quarters and provisions, such being a charge on the county. Considerable correspondence passed between the Department and the Council, and at last the Council gave in and duly isolated the supposed leper, provided him with a comfortable hut, and has since supplied provisions. On Saturday it was reported to the Council that the Chinaman, evidently suffering from ennui as well ns leprosy, had crossed the boundary of the forbidden territory and paid a fraternal visit to some brother Celestials, presumably for a little recreation at fan-tan. or sing-ti-loo. It is generally well known that Chinamen give a leper a very wide berth, and cannot be induced on any account to associate with one suffering from the dread disease, so that it would seem the Celestials at Macraes are lees careful of their personal safety than their kindred in other parts of the world, or are sceptical as to the case being one of leprosy. The patient is receiving weekly about treble the quantity he is able to consume, and he generously distributes a share amongst other Chinamen who are not so kindly provisioned. It is alleged that the leper’s sores are healing up, and if this is the case it is a rather notable feature in a leprosy case. The Waihcmo Council considered various suggestions, one member proposing to build defence lines of interlaced “pig” barb-wire, and at last resolved to erect notice boards in English and Chinese, warning anyone, Chinese or otherwise, against entering the infected area or enticing or permitting the leper beyond it, etc. -Lyttelton Times, 24/6/1903.
WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL (excerpt)
The District Health Officer wrote that he could see no good in wasting the time and money of the Government in visiting the leper at Macraes, and could not therefore promise to do so by special visit. Should he, however, be in the district he would have a look at him. Meantime it was the duty of the council to provide the patient with medical attendance, etc., at their cost, if the man required it. — An opinion was expressed that it was not a case of leprosy, and the council protested against the tone of the health officer's communication. — It was resolved that copies of the correspondence covering the matter be forwarded to the Minister of Public Health, together with the council's protest. -Otago Daily Times, 21/3/1904.
WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL (excerpt)
The Rev. A. Don wrote stating that he had forwarded a parcel of clothing to the Chinese leper at Macraes, but the man still required a thick jersey. The writer also stated that he had received a letter from the leper. — This aroused some discussion. The Chairman wanted to know how it was that if the leper was confined and isolated he could forward letters through the public post office. So far as clothing was concerned, he (the chairman) would forward a quantity if Cr Griffin would take it up. —Cr Matheson said the opinion of people who knew what leprosy was, and had seen the patients at leper stations, was that the Chinaman at Macraes was not suffering from leprosy. The sores had healed, and such a thing was never known in leprosy — The letter was received. -Otago Daily Times, 17/4/1905.
THE MACRAES LEPER.
Sir, I would like, through the columns of your paper, to draw the attention of the public to the state of things existing in connection with the Macraes' leper. The Waihemo Council allows a storekeeper 10s per week for his food, but leaves the poor Celestial to rummage for miles round the country in search of fuel. Now, wood is scarce and hard to find in that barren wilderness; hence the leper, bereft of his health, sans fingers sans toes, plods, or rather drags, along his miserable body, touching objects which shepherds and musterers must also touch, until he finds a few sticks wherewith to warm his hut. I trust that the Waihemo Council will remedy this matter by supplying the Chinaman in question with firewood, and thus mitigate the danger of spreading the disease through other people handling gates, etc., which have been handled by him in his search for fuel. Trusting this matter will be remedied and the unfortunate man supplied with the wherewithal to warm his dwelling through the long, cold, bleak winter,
— I am, etc., Macraes, February 3. Justus,
Exposure to cold and damp causes rheumatism. The skin cannot give off the excess uric acid, and it becomes deposited in the blood. Rheumo will quickly cure the trouble. All chemists and stores, 2s 6d and 4s 6d. -Otago Daily Times, 9/2/1907.
The infectious diseases hospital inquiry to be held at the Magistrate's Court on March 22, at which representatives from all the local contributing authorities are summoned to be present, has a special interest for Waihemo, inasmuch as the district has the melancholy distinction of owning a leper. At a meeting of the Waihemo County Council on Saturday, the Chairman (Mr J. Ross) expressed the hope that, in the event of Palmerston being called upon to contribute towards the new hospital, the leper, who had been a source of expense for some years, would be removed to Dunedin. It was decided to ask Dr Hislop and the clerk (Mr W. B. Galloway) to attend the inquiry to watch the interests of the council. -Otago Witness, 20/4/1907.
The Chinese leper, Sin Tack, who has been isolated for some years at Macraes, died on Sunday week last. He had been supplied with provisions from time to time by Mr W. E. Griffin, storekeeper at Macraes, and on the usual supply being taken out on the day mentioned it was found that the previous week's food had not been removed from the box in which it had been placed. Search was then made, and Sin Tack was found lying near an adjacent creek. As he had a cup and a bucket beside him it is surmised that he went there for water. He was then very feeble, and the young man, Griffin, who found him, finding that he could not unaided help, went to the township for assistance. Help being obtained the Chinaman was conveyed to his hut, and on Monday morning following Mr Griffin himself found him dead in the hut, he having seemingly never stirred from where he was left. -Nelson Evening Mail, 20/7/1907.
Particulars of the circumstances surrounding the death of Sin Tack, the Chinese leper at Macraes, were communicated to the District Health Officer, who decided that an inquest was unnecessary. Dr Ogston, who has visited the leper on several occasions, states that the man had gradually grown weaker, and that his death was not unexpected. The health officer at once gave authority for the hut and all its contents to be consumed by fire and the body of the leper to be buried in quicklime. This was done. -Otago Witness, 24/7/1907.
WAIHEMO COUNTY COUNCIL
T. Mackenzie, M.H.R.. under date August 20, wrote intimating that he would make representations to the Minister with a view to obtaining a refund of £86 8s 6d expended by the council in connection with the Chinese leper at Macraes. A further letter from Mr Mackenzie, under date 2nd inst., enclosed a reply from the Minister of Public Health, stating that he would place on the Supplementary Estimates the sum required to pay the council for its outlay. The Chief Health Officer (Dr Mason) also wrote on the same subject, and stated that payment would be made when the amount was voted by Parliament. — The Chairman said the county clerk (Mr Galloway) deserved the thanks of the council for the trouble and pains he had taken in securing the refund, and, on the motion of Cr Matheson, a motion to that effect was minuted. -Otago Witness, 25/9/1907.
Hui Shing Tsoch spent six years in what could be called "solitary confinement" for the "crime" of contracting leprosy - or possibly losing his fingers to frostbite. I can only wonder how he might have been treated if he had come from the same nation as those who complained about the amount of rice he ate.
His grave is unmarked. According to traditional Chinese belief, his spirit wanders the Macraes area, lonely and unhappy.
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