THE NURSES' HOME.

Evening Post, Volume LXVIII, Issue 102, 27 October 1904, Page 5

THE NURSES' HOME.

OPENED BY THE GOVERNOR. A few months hence, when the yellow clay of the hillside on which it stands >has had time to grow grass, shrubs, and flowers, the surroundings of the Home for the nursing staff connected with the Wellington District Hospital— opened yesterday by His Excellency the Governor — will become vei»y beautiful. On every hand is a superb view. In front the green slopes of the western hills, upon which lay the suburbs of Brooklyn and Vogeltown, and at their feet the long sweep of the City of South Wellington ; to the south a vista of growing suburbs, extending as far as Newtown Park; to the west the grounds of the Aged Needy Home, and hills beyond; and 1 to the north the Asylum grounds. The building itself was described in these columns a week or two ago. The Hon. C. H. Mjlls represented the Cabinet at the opening, the Premier telegraphing his regrets. The visitors included many of the medical faculty, the .clergy, and a large assembly of ladies. Addressing His Excellency, Mr. C. M. Luke, Chairman of the Hospital Board, spoke of the interest His Excellency and Lady Plunket had taken in the Hospital since their arrival in the colony. He was sure His Excellency would agree that the best expression a community could give of its desire for the care for the sick and afflicted was the provision of such an institution as the city possessed to-day in its hospital system. It had an institution of colonial, and even world-wide recognitiop, of which the Trustees who governed it had always felt proud, and the citizens had every right to compliment themselves upon, the excellence of its administration. The need for a Nurses' Home had been felt for some years, as the section of the hospital hitherto used by the nursing staff was .urgently required for patients. This fact ' was impressed upon the Trustees by Dr. Ewart some four or five years ago, during the teim of office (as Chairman of the Board) of the Hon. F. H. Fraser, who had long and faithfully served tne institution. The site of the present Home was formerly known as "Sugarloaf Hill," the top 6f which was cut away, the spoil being used for filling up low-lying sections in another part of the grounds. An appeal was made to the District Hospital Board for permission to borrow the money required, and both the Board and the Government gave their best aid in this direction: The money was raised, and to-day they had a magnificent building. The plans- were drawn and the supervising work done by Mr. Penty, and the contract carried out by Messrs. Davis and Browman at a cost of £13,023! A further sum of £350 was spent in "extras," architects' fees and the salary of the Clerk of Works cost another £1000, and furnishing £1200, making a total expenditure of £15,573. Some people were inclined to remonstrate with the Board for erecting so imposing a building, but they had only met actual requirements. It provided accommodation for 72 persons. The present Hospital nhi k g staff numbered 54, accommodation for another 14 would be required as soon as the. Home for Chronic Invalids, now building, was finished, and aiding to these the domestic' staff, ifc would be seen that already .the building would- be "taxed to its utmost. Mr. Luke paid a compliment to the serivces rendered the Hospital' 1 by its honorary medical staff, and the nursing staff— a more noble-minded body of women could not be found in all Australasia— and by Dr. Ewart, the Resident Medical Officer, whose splendid services were recognised by the community at large. (Applause.) The Chairman then presented His Excellency with the silver key given by Mr. Frank Grady, and asked him to open the building. His Excellency said his task was an exceedingly pleasurable one, as many of his kindred were connected with hospital work in another land. As to th* new Home, of course susceptible men would say that these charming ladies should have the. best home that coald possibly be provided for them—(Laughter)—but the point of view of the crabbed bachelor might be different— (Laughter)—and he could only emphasise what Mr. Luke had said— that the building was not merely built as a Home for Nurses, but in order to give more room for hospital wards. They could not turn the nurses out to camp on the grass, and since they were giving them a home it might as well be a good one. (Applause.) He thanked Mr. Grady for his key. He was afraid he was becoming rather like £he mediaeval gaoler in tragedy — he was collecting a large number of keys. (Laughter.) B,ut it showed that Wellington was advancing and establishing a number of exceedingly important and handsome public buildings, and he was glad to nave these keys as a remembrance of its progress and prosperity. He was sorry that Lady Plunket had been unable to attend the ceremony, as she had shown a deep interest in the nurses and patients. His Excellency then turned the key in the lock, and declared the Home opened. -Mr. R. C. Kirk expressed the thanks of the Trustees to His Excellency for attending, and 1 appealed to those of the public wh.o felt disposed to contribute any articles in the wa.y of pictures or ornaments which would help to embellish the interior of the building. Three cheers having been given His Excellency, an inspection was made of the interior, which was generally admired. Afternoon tea. was served to the visitors by the nursing staff. During the evening a conversazione was held in - the new building, which was brilliantly illuminated in every room, and thrown open for public inspection. A large number of visitors were shown through the institution by the nurses, after which an adjournment was made to the nurses sitting and hospital rooms, where an excellent programme of musical , items was submitted. Miss Lloyd-Hassoll sang "Winter," and "Ma Curly-headed Babbie ' as an encore piece. Mrs. , A. E. Donne contributed Love the Pedlar," and, on being recalled, sang "Woman's Way." Two songs were contributed Dy Miss Winnie Birch, one of tiieni J being "Rose of My Life." Miss Newton sang "Annie Laurie," and took part with Mr. A. Newton in a humorous duet describing a motor-car journey. The last verse was repeated in response to a recall. Humorous songs were conltributed by Messrs. W. D. Lyon and A. Newton, both of whom were encored. Mr. it. B. Williams sany "My Queen," Mr. R. B. Williams sang "My Queen," and Mr. R. C. Kirk "The First Friend." The nurses, attired in Oriental costume, sang two mirthful numbers from comic opera. Piano splos were played by Miss Upham and Mr, A. J. Wicks, both of whom also acted as accompanists. Several interesting competitions were held in anti-rooms, and "fortunes were told with the utmost correctness possible." After the concert refreshments were provided in the dining-rdom. People who live sedentary lives, people who Bit in offices, people who get very little exercise — all these suffer ifiore or less from liver and stopaach troubles. It would give such a great surprise to experience what a few doses of Noxol would do for them. Try it ; 2s bottles at chemists' and stores. — Advt. We have just received the new Popular Star. This machine is put on the market to meet a demand for a first-class bicycle at a popular price. The Popular Star is fully guaranteed. Road racer, £15 ; roadster and lady's',' £16. Call and inspect. Easy terms arranged.— Adams Star Cycle Co., Mercer-street.— Adv*