MR WILLIAM BRYARS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2428, 22 November 1892, Page 3

MR WILLIAM BRYARS.

The following is the letter referred to in the previous letter, which has just come to hand ; New York, September 22, 1892. “ To the Chairman, “ Education Office, “ Timaru, N.Z. “ Dear Sir, —I have been requested by Mr William Bryars to address you relative to himself. Ho left Belfast in the early part of this month, and sailed from Liverpool on the “ Britannic ” in good health. When at sea three days an Jabs cess formed on or in the back of his left eye, which, whilst causing no great pain, caused the eye to protrude. The ship’s surgeon, in company with a Boston physician, treated the eye and made two openings, which did not bring much relief as the gathering was very great. On arrival at this port on 10th inst., he was taken straight to New York Hospital, and an operation was performed on Sunday, 11th inst., with the view to save his eye. On the evening of that day the sight left the eye, and on the following morning another operation was performed —removal of the dead eye. He was under ether during both operations, and game out all right, and seemed to progress favorably, whilst his temperature kept very h|gh (|O2 t } :, JOp). Tlie Hospital plait’ were not satisfied at tlie height of his teipperature, and on the 17th inst. made another operation. This one was making an opening into his nose, and inserting a rubber tube so as to drain the wound fieety, and, if possible, to reduce the tew-

porature. This has had the desired effect and to-day his temperature is 100 deg., and he seems to be resting nicely ; but there is another phase of his case which causes me anxiety—that is, he has ideas in his head, but he cannot give them utterance. For instance, I asked him for your address, and suggesting writing and advising you of his case. He tried to speak and give me the desired address, but he could not; but he wrote it correctly. The left side of his face is partially paralysed, and it must be this which causes him this difficulty in speaking. The house-surgeon thinks that there might possibly be an abscess forming on his brain, and states that it is very difficult to locate the same. If this is so, a very short time is necessary to develope the inevitable end. Had he progressed as favorably now as he did first week after the operation the doctors were of opinion that he could with safety sail per November mail steamer from ’Frisco. We hope for the best, and know that the best skill in the city is attending him, and I am sure you will regret to learn of this unfortunate illness of one of your staff'. I had the pleasure of knowing Mr Bryars for many years before he went to New Zealand, and had the opportunity of renewing our friendship this summer in Belfast.—l remain, etc., “R. Mcßratney.” We are sure that everyone will be greatly distressed by reading the terrible news which is contained in the above letter. Mr Bryars, before he left for Home, used to complain sometimes of a pain in his eyes, and no doubt he was then suffering from the ailment which ultimately culminated as stated in the above letter. His case is a sad one. No one can help feeling sorry at seeing a young man, in the very spring and promise of life, cut down so ruthlessly, but, however, we may regret it, the inevitable must be accepted. It is useless to expect Mr Bryars to return to his duties; even if he succeeds in living through his terrible illness, it must be many a long month before he is fit for work again. We understand that a subscription list was sent round yesterday to send a cable message with the view of obtaining further information, and probably we shall hear more about it within the next few days.