DEATH OF MAJOR SAVAGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15997, 16 August 1915, Page 9

DEATH OF MAJOR SAVAGE.

ILLNESS ENDS FATALLY.

A BRILLIANT SURGEON.

( able advice was received on Saturday of the death, in Cairo, of Major Thomas Copeland Savage, N.Z.M.C., of Auckiaru, after an illness extending ever near] throe weeks.

Major Savage was second-in-i ommand of the No. 2 Stationary Hospital, which was despatched from Wellington with th* fifth reinforcements on Juno 12. His illness was a sudden one, for on July 25. he sent a cablegram to Mrs. Savage announcing his arrival in Cairo, and stating that ho was well. Two davs later, advice was received from Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Parkes, officer commanding the hospital, that Major Savage was seriously ill. Reports have been received daily iv gardmg his condition, and latterly "they had indicated a continued improvement. Advice was received on Saturday that the patient had suffered a. relapse, and a few hours later it wa« learned that death had supervened. Throughout his illness, Major Savage was in tlit? care <>f Sir Victor Horslt-y. of Loudon, and LieutenantColonel Parkes.

Major Savage was born in Burslem, Staffordshire, where his mother still resides. He was about 41 years of age. He was educated at University College, London, concluding a brilliant career by winning the gold medal of his year and fgaining the fellowship'of the Royal College of Surgeons, England. He completed the course in 1302, and after a short period in residence at the University College Hospital, ho came to Auckland, accompanied by Mrs. Savage. The young surgeon quickly gained a leading place among the surgeons of the city, and his professional ability earned recognition throughout the Dominion, when, in 1905, he acted as Government referee j on the commission appointed to investi- : gate matters in connection with the Auckland Hospital, the lucidity of his explanations and his opinions on the surgical questions involved attracting general attention. Not only -was he held in high esteem throughout the community, but he was regarded by professional colleagues as probably the finest surgeon in New Zealand. Major Savage lias occupied the presidential office in the Auckland division of the British Medical Association, and has made many valued contributions to the scientific proceedings and the journal of the association. During eight years he was a member of the honorary staff of the Auckland Hospital. Among his friends he was regarded as a man of strong character, who would always express his opinions frankly and courageously. His loss lias been shared not only by the people of the Dominion generally but also by the New Zealand forceps on active service, whom Major Savage was so eager to join. His last work was performed on the transport at sea. a private letter from one of the ambulance men on the ship stating that- during the voyage lie performed two operations for appendicitis.

Major Savage was keenly interested in pigeon firing, and possessed one of the finest collections of birds south of the

line. He was president of the Auckland Flying Club, and the winner of many trophies. Mrs. Savage and their four children are still resident in Auckland.