ASSISTANCE FOR AFFLICTED BOY

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22195, 11 September 1937, Page 16

ASSISTANCE FOR AFFLICTED BOY

EXPENSES FOR TRIP AND OPERATION PAID GENEROSITY OF VILLAGERS IN OTAGO A tale of generous assistance lies behind the trip to England last month of a 12 years old boy, Frank Murphy, of the village of Dunback, Otago, who is to be operated on by a New Zealand j brain specialist in London, Dr. Hugh Cairns. According to a cable message the operation (made necessary by a tumour on the boy's brain") will be undertaken as soon as an X-ray survey has been completed. It was in July that the boy first complained about his eyes. X-ray examination showed a tumour on his brain, and nothing could be done in Australia or New Zealand for the complaint. America and England, however, had surgeons who could perform the necessary operation; but expense was a problem, for someone would have to go with him. The family owned a farm and ran a boarding-house, yet these could not provide funds for the proposed trip. The minister came to the family's assistance, and within 36 hour 9 had arranged a public meeting, at which everyone in the.district agreed to help. Within 20 minutes £3OO had been promised—sufficient to cover all the expenses of the trip. Passports, clothes, and arrangements with shipping -companies offered no difficulties; but surgeons specialising in the work were few. Boston and Baltimore were ruled out because of hardships of prolonged travel; but eventually Dr. Cairns sent a message to say that he would be prepared to make the operation. On August 2 the boy and his mother were assisted to the railway station by the Dunedin Hospital authorities, the Railway Department provided a compartment, and in due course the pair were transferred to the steamer for Wellington. At Wellington a chaplain and two members of Toe H waited to help Mrs Murphy and her boy to their ship, the Rangitiki (the first available ship out), on the first stage of their journey to London. At Wellington, too, the pair were visited by officers of the Women's Institute. Those who planned the trip expressed their amazement at the help and kindness offered. Shipping executives, Government officials, members of the Rotary Club (who met the patient in London), members of Toe H, of the Dunedin Hospital staff, and <af the banks (who attended to the financial part), all lent willing and generous assistance. Even books were provided by a firm of publishers for the two passengers on the trip. Everything was done to ensure that cheer was brought back to the boy whom the Dunback villagers liked. When the train on which he left his home district was leaving, numbers of the villagers went to the station to throw streamers and wish the boy luck. „ , _ , ... The village expects that Frank will be home again before Christmas, and a welcome is being planned.