Winter Bathes With Nurse Maude

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30264, 17 October 1963, Page 2

Winter Bathes With Nurse Maude

(Specially written for "The Prsss" by HAZEL ELMSLIEI

When the charming photograph of their founder appears on the cover of the Nurse Maude District Nursing Association's annual report, it brings memories of her great personality vividly to my mind. In 1019, she lived high up on Scarborough Hili; I was living ait the foot, and during that waiter we bathed together in the sea. Punctually at 8 am. she would appear running down the centre of the road, and I mean running! With her head held up and her peignoir flying out behind her in the wind, she would come steadily down the hdM. I would tall in beside her as she rounded the steep turn and without stopping or speaking we would carry on over the rocks and along the beach, fling down our robes, and plunge straight away into the waves. No shivering on the brink for us! A few strokes in the waiter were enough and out we came to jog back along the sand and up the road, exchanging a few remarks as we gasped for breath. She gave the kind of friendship that needed few words; the sympathy and understanding from which it sprang were sufficient. I left her at the corner as she turned and faced the long cMmb home, without any waste of time. Exciting Drives Later, about 9.15, she sometimes picked me up in her two-seater on her drive to Miadnas street to begin her day’s work. There must be many who remember her notorious driving habits. A drive with her into Christchurch had its exciting moments. She usually drove well over 30 miles an hour, and would scoot past the old electric trams on the inside. At the toot of a horn, an infuriated motorman would turn to see who it was, but on recognising the well-known uniformed figure at the wheel, would ait once wave her on with a smile on his face as he watched her cut across his bows and disappear in the dust of the old Ferry road. I think it is true to say that never once was she summonsed for a traffic offence The traffic officers literally gave her the freedom of her own home town. Cycled On Stage That same year Lintz produced with local talent a revue called the “Reveille” which ran for several weeks in the old Theatre Royal and

made a lot of money for the RSA At, I think, the final performance, an unforgettable scene was introduced. In her uniform of blue with white apron plus bonnet and strings, Nurse Miaude rode on her bicycle right across the stage from one side to the other where she was safely caught in the wings. Thunderous applause from a full house broke forth, and she had to return to the stage again and again to acknowledge it. until at last the cheering crowd was satisfied. How game she always was, and no wonder that she won the hearts of the crowd that night! To those who are now faithfully keeping up her high standard and good example of citizenship, as well as continuing to expand the work of their association to meet the demands of an increasing population, we cannot give enough praise. It is our privilege to contribute to this service, which, after all, is run entirely for the good of our own community. and it is unique in being the only service of this particular kind in New Zealand today.

Good luck to them all tomorrow and may a record collection be their reward and a true indication of the loyal support they so richly deserve.