MISSIONARIES SAFE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 849, 18 December 1929, Page 6

MISSIONARIES SAFE

NEW ZEALANDERS IN AREA UNDISTURBED FIGHTING AT CANTON New Zealaders at the mission hospital and station at Kong Chuen, 12 miles north of Canton, were not disturbed by the recent heavy fighting in the area. The foreign mission office of the Presbyterian Church •of New Zealand was advised of the position by cable from Canton last evening. A report on December 13 said a big battle was fought 15 miles from the city between the “Ironsides” and the Cantonese. The • Ironsides’** were repulsed with heavy casualties. One hundred yards from the mission hospital is the railway, the usual line of advance for attacking armies from North China. The engagement took place probably on low hills crossed by the railway two or three miles beyond the hospital. On more than one occasion in the various attempts made by invaders to gain possession of Canton the hospital has been filled with scores of wounded. Probably on this account, the mission station has always been respecetd by belligerent forces. r>i\ C. E. North, a nephew of Er J J. North, principal of the Baptist Theological College, Auckland, is the medical officer in charge of the hospital, and Nurses Robertson and A James are on the staff. Other New Zealanders resident at the mission station are the Revs. J. M. McKenzie and A. X., Miller, Miss F. G. Ogilvie and Miss A. Yansen.