William Webster's amputated an arm.  

  
 William Webster looked after the sick and injured for many years, until finally a doctor came to stay in the Hokianga.

One night a ship was wrecked on the bar and in the morning a muzzle-loading cannon was washed up.  For reasons of prudence and ornament William Webster installed it on his harbour wall.

When Sir George Grey, the Governor, was to arrive by ship,  William decided to give him a Royal Salute of 21 guns.  For this purpose he drilled a Maori crew of four

When the time came, the excited "powder monkey" threw a charge without waiting for the swabbing. The gun fired prematurely, the ramrod striking his arm, which dangled below the shoulder by two sinews.

"Mary", called William Webster, "please get your mother’s sewing basket, a clean sheet, silk thread, needles, and embroidery scissors and I need your assistance too".

Mary tore bandages while her father amputated the arm of the poor Maori boy on the beach, without benefit of anesthetic or antiseptic. The boy, Tipene,  did not only survive the ordeal but he lived until old age. Such were the surgical skills of William Webster.