MAORI HOSTEL

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 272, 17 November 1941, Page 9

MAORI HOSTEL

KAITAIA WOMEN SEEKING MEDICAL HELP (0.C.) KAITAIA, this day. The erection of a hostel for Maori women at Kaitaia marks another step in the town's progress. It has been felt for some time that a hostel was urgently needed in Kaitaia to provide shelter for Maori women who were required to call on medical practitioners for attention and treatment. The position in so far as the Far Northern Maoris is concerend is that no medical practitioner is available beyond Kaitaia. When it is realised that there are some 100 odd miles lying to the north, it is quite obvious that for Maori women to come into Kaitaia for the necessary examination or treatment would entail considerable hardship, in that they would be required to find board and lodging which in itself would cause worry and expenditure.

It must not b£ overlooked that there are district health nurses stationed throughout the north, who are doing magnificent work, but there are cases which arise where treatment is beyond their particular training and knowledge, and for which the prospective mother must seek medical aid.

A few weeks ago negotiations were finalised for the purchase of a suitable cottage for a nostel, which adjoins Mr. R. J. Northwood's property in Puckeys Avenue, Kaitaia, and it is hoped to have this hostel ready for service at an early date. The cottage consists of two bedrooms which will each have two beds, a living room 18ft x 14ft, kitchen 14ft x Bft containing all modern conveniences, bathroom and washhouse under the same roof. Access to the hostel will be available from the main street by exceedingly well constructed concrete paths. It is intended that only women who are resident 15 miles or more from Kaitaia will be permitted to utilise the hostel. To ensure that everything is kept in order and strictly hygienic a lady caretaker has been appointed.