EMINENT SURGEON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20137, 24 December 1928, Page 11

EMINENT SURGEON.

SIR W. CHEYNE'S VISIT. ASSOCIATE OF LORD LISTER. LIFE IN SHETLAND ISLANDS. After an active life in surgery and politics Sir Watson Cheyne, of the Shetland Islands, is visiting Now Zealand-on a holiday tour, and arrived in Auckland from Rotorua on Saturday. Now in his 77th year—he celebrated his birthday in Wellington last week—Sir Watson has lived in retirement in the Shetland Islands, of which he is LordLieutenant, for tho past six or seven years. Proof that his hand has not lost its cunning was given during tho voyage of the Taniaroa, on which he travelled to New Zealand. When tho ship was two days out from Southampton, a woman passenger became ill, and, assisted by two other medical men, Sir Watson Cheyne performed a successful operation for appendicitis.

For many years Sir Watson Cheyne was assistant to Lord Lister, who sponsored antiseptic surgery, and ho has written a biography of that illustrious surgeon. Evidence of Sir Watson's own high standing in the surgical world is given by tho fact that he was president of the Royal College of Surgeons in England from 1014 to 1917. Ho is also tho author of numerous standard works on surgery, including Antiseptic Surgery, and tho Manual of the Antiseptic Treatment of Wounds. For many years Sir Watson Cheyne was Professor of Clinical Surgery at King's College, London From 1917 to 1922 Sir Watson Cheyne represented the Scottish Universities in tho House of Commons.

The distinguished visitor's association with the Shetland Islands was mado the occasion for a special reception to him in Wellington by the Shetland Society. Although born on shipboard at Hobart, Sir Watson is of Shetland parentage, and ho was educated in the islands. His affectionate regard for those islands, which, he asserted yesterday, are not the stormbound isles of popular conception, induced him to seek retirement there, when a setback in health compelled his retirement.

A surprise awaited Sir Watson when he arrived at the Shetland Society's reception in Wellington. He had no idea, he said, that the Shetland colony in New Zealand was so large. Over 300 Shetlanders were present. Sir Robert Stout, New Zealand's most distinguished Shetlander, had told him the unexpectedly large numbers were largely accounted for by the fact that numerous Shetland fishermen were now following their calling in New Zealand waters. With the scenic attractions nf New Zealand, which ho is visiting for the first time, Sir Watson Cheyno is greatly impressed. Tt is one of tho most delightful countries he has visited, and he means to see as much of it as possible before he sails on February 4.