LIFE IN THE ISLANDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1941, Page 2

LIFE IN THE ISLANDS

DESCRIBED BY DR. RUTTER. AN INTERESTING ADDRESS. The Methodist Schoolroom was crowded on Thursday afternoon to meet Dr. Allen Rutter, Medical Superintendent of the Solomon Islands Mission. The room had been tastefully decorated by Miss V. Jackson with bowls of bronze chrysanthemums and berries. The Rev. H. S. Kings presided and extended a welcome to the visitor. Following the serving of afternoon tea the League of Mothers’ Choir, under the leadership of Mrs Miller Hope, rendered Brother James's Air of the 23rd Psalm, followed by "Where ’ere You Walk.” Dr. Rutter in his address referred to church work among the women and children of the Solomon Islands. From various causes, he said, a child rarely reached its first birthday, which was considered by the Natives as a great event. Modern health services had been opened up at Bilua, Kokengolo, and Choisuel. The population was very scattered and patients come from 15 to 20 miles by canoe for treatment. When the doctor arrived in the village the women disappeared and then came out wearing large quantities of underclothes under their print frock, as they thought this would please the white man. Skin diseases were very prevalent and spread through the custom of natives borrowing each others clothes and wearing them without being washed. "The people were gradually learning the white man's ways,” said the speaker, and more and more of them come to the hospital for treatment. Natives are trained in the hospital in the care of the sick and babies. The native babv is quite pink in the first few weeks of its life; then it attains its natural brown, or black colour.” Dr. Rutter gave an interesting description of life on the island.

On the motion of Mr Kings, Dr. Rater was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his address.