MEDICAL MISSIONARY FOR SOLOMON ISLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 July 1927, Page 16

MEDICAL MISSIONARY FOR SOLOMON ISLAND

DR.. SAYER’S FAREWELL T HE first medical missionary to be sent by the Methodist Church to the foreign field in the Solomon Islands, Dr. E. G. Sayers, was the guest of honour in the Pitt Street Methodist Church last evening. There was a large attendance, and many speakers referred to ‘the valuable work which remained to be done in the Solomons. Dr. E. B. Gunson, president of the Auckland branch of the British Medical Association, congratulated the Church on the step it had taken. He understood that Dr. Sayers was to do a certain amount of research work, and he trusted the Methodist Missionary Society would encourage facilities for this kind of work. Dr. C. E. Maguire, superintendent of the Auckland .Public Hospital, conveyed the best wishes of the medical profession to Dr. Sayers. Dr. H. Ranston, president of the Methodist Conference, spoke of the ability of Dr. Sayers for the position. The Rev. W. A., Sinclair, secretary of the Methodist Board of Missions, said he had been filled with compassion for the natives when he visited the Solomons, and he had urged the strengthening of forces there. The society was in possession of £1,300 toward the building of a hospital. Professor H. Belshaw, professor of economics at the Auckland University College, and the Rev. W. T. Blight, president of the Young Men’s Bible Class Union of New Zealand, also spoke. Dr. Sayers, in reply, said that there was a great need for medical research and medical work among the natives. Medical work would be expensive it first, but later on the co-operation and assistance of the natives would come. Dr. Sayers is leaving Auckland by the Maheno for Sydney to-day, and will join a boat leaving for the Solomon Islands on July 19. He came from Christchurch and graduated from the Otago University, later taking special courses in the London University.