MISSIONARY DOCTOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 70, 23 March 1928, Page 8

MISSIONARY DOCTOR.

TO FOUND HOSPITAL.

WT.AIHaiA'I GREAT WAKT.

WIFE A TRAINED NURSE,

Two important develo- stents will take place this year in the Melanesian Mission - the establishment of a permanent hospital in the Solomons and the foundaof a new station in the mandated territory of New Guinea. Something of what is proposed to be done was told to a "Star" representative to-day by the Rev. L. E. Cartridge, late chapiain of Hurstpierpoint College, England, and Dr. L. M. Maybury, M.A., M.8., B. Chir., D.T.M. and H. (Eng.). Since Dr. Marshall left the Melanesian Mission in 1916, there has been no hospital in the Solomons, a fact which has greatly hampered the work of the missionaries. In 1911 Dr. Marshall started a hospital at Mararova, Guadalcanal-, but in 1916 he returned to England, joined up with the Royal Army Medical Corps, and, as the result of active service in France, became ill and was unable to return to the mission. The hospital was converted into a printing office, and such it has remained.

It is extremely unlikely that the proposed new hospital will be established anywhere near the site of the former institution. Dr. Maybury, who is a young man, says he will go to Siota, where the Diocesan Synod will be held, and the whole question of a site will be discussed. It has been suggested that a good location for the hospital would be the island of Mala, where the murders took place last year. Half the population of the Solomons lives on Mala, and a hospital would be of great service there. It is possible that the Solomon Islands Protectorate Government may give some financial assistance. Dr. Maybury says that he will have about £3000 with which to establish the hospital. The whole of that money has been contributed in England, where there is a medical fund. It is hoped that New Zealand church people will make an effort to contribute to the medical fund at some future time. A Colleague Accepted. It is believed that Dr. Maybury will be joined by another doctor in about two years' time. Dr. A. D. Chartres, M.A., M.8., B. Chir., of Canterbury and St. Thomas' Hospitals, England, has been accepted by the mission. Whether he go to the Solomons or to the New Hebrides is not known, but it is probable that he will work with Dr. Maybury. Accompanying Dr. Maybury is Mrs. Maybury, a State registered nurse, who gained her experience at Canterbury and University College Hospitals, London. She will take charge of the nursing work. Dr. Chartres is engaged to a* St. Thomas' Hospital trained nurse, and intends to marry before joining the mission. The two doctors, ar/dted by their wives, would be able to conduct the medical services on the soundest lines. Dr. Maybury, who got his diploma in tropical medicine after finishing the course at the Hospital of Tropical Diseases, London, was for six montlap. house physician in that institution? Dr. Chartres will also qualify in tropical medicine before joining the mission. Before leaving England, Dr. and May. burv were given „£IOO f or expenditure on drugs and instruments. Bandages and liniments wilL be in constant • demand, and although the English committee of the mission may furnish certain quantities, Dr. Maybury would appreciate gifts from New Zealand. The hospital which existed till 1916, had from 35 to 40 beds, and it has been suggested that the new hospital should contain not fewer than 50. One of Dr May bury's first duties in the Solomons will be to consult with an architect concerning the erection of a suitatfe building. As far as money will alio#, everything connected with the hospital will be of the most modern nature. Dr. Maybury is the son of an English doctor who has an extensive practice.