THE PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 30, 5 February 1927, Page 15

THE PROVINCIAL HOSPITAL

behalf. It was only after .another ,51 years that any general superannuation scheme for nurses was' brought into force. A PIOTUBE IW 1872. Apart from Mrs. Green and Mr. Monteith, there appear to have been wardsmen alone to, attend to the patients. As the rate of wages was low and the duties to most men irksome, is it to bo wondered that, the doctor's reports refer to^ dismissals for drunkenness, rough conduct, and. inattention to duties? But the shortcomings in the institution do not cease here. The following is a picture drawn in the 1872 report: "During the late dry weather the Hospital was destitute .of water, the drains became very offensive, especially in the women's ward, which is situated close, to the great cesspool. Constant attention was: ; required- to keop the Hospital clean and healthy." Yet this is the institution that Dr. Fitzgerald described in' 1853 as being "an ornament to the town" and having an abundant supply of water' from a well.- The wards were lighted with kerosene lamps, which were unreliable for several reasons, one being "the uncertain quality of the oil supplied by the contractor.', 1 Dr. - Johnston asks for the installation of gas, which he considered "would be found to be economical and much more convenient." Prom gas we have passed to electricity, but only last year the complaint again of unreliability was made because of the "uncertain regularity of supply of current," and so a standby plant was installed. Thus does his-tory-repeat itself, even with every modern advance of science.

To continue tho picture of the Hospital in 1871, tho following extract from Dr. Johnston's report "may be quoted: "Several additions and alterations to the building are necessary for their convenience and efficiency. At present there is only ono ward for women. In it there is now'lying a poor creature in the last stage of phthisis, whoso peace is often broken by two insane women in the room. A fever ward is much required, and also a now dining-room. The roof of the building is sadly at fault; tho wards all leak more or less and require to be immediately shingled. But before this is done a competent surveyor should be employed to inspect and report upon the condition of the building, as I fear the stripping of the roof of the shingles will expose an amount of dry rot and decay not to be expected in' a building of comparatively recent date."

However, in, , spite of the lack of water, the cesspool, and leaking wards, the doctor was able-to conclude his report with the statement that the past year had been, singularly free from epidemics and casualties of all kinds. CRITICISM OF CITY AT7THORITIES.

But the following year the report was different. Our City; .Councillors have

ority to admit patients (except in cases of accident) is not a good one, and has been the cause of inconvenience :.nd annoyance to applicants." They suggested the medical officer in charge should have discretionary powers in urgertt cases .to admit patients without first referring to the Government.

Official visitors we«e recommended and also-the following far-reaching proposal: "Looking-at.the rapidly increasing population,of the. City of Welling-, ton, your committee, are of opinion it would be very desirable, if possible, to make some arrangement of a similar nature to thatv existing at Wanganui with the city authorities, by which the Government may be relieved from the duy of managing the Hospital."

The. committee did not have time to bring down any report on the Gaol and "Lunatic" Asylum."

Thus was the movement for a new Hospital set on foot, but instead of deciding.to rebuild on the old site in Pipitea street the present site on "a Government reserve in Adelaide road" was chosen, while the- old site eventually passed to the Education Department and the Girls' High School built thereon. An interesting experience is related by Mr. Campbell Colquhoun, the present, clerk of works for the Hospital Board. Some years ago he was called upon to inspect the flooring of the Girls' High School, and lie was surprised to find one small localised area showing marked evidence of rotting, while the rest was all in good order. Being unablo to account for this, ho groped in the dark on hands and. knees under the building, and'below the affected part of flooring was almost precipitated down a very deep well. This had been covered over with timber, when the building was erected, but the timber had rotted, falling into tha well, a similar ;fate which be was just lucky enough to avoid, otherwise his association with the old Hospital might havo been much closer then it is with present new additions. This would bo the well which/in 1853 .gave to the Hospital its 'unlimited supply of water."

Tho quoted reports speak of the very bad state of disrepair of the old Hospital building, yet many in the community will remember the heated controversy which occurred at the time it was dismantled. Several houses in Pipitea street, some still remaining, were built from the timber of the old Hospital, and there was some popular outcry and indignation against ; timber from such an institution being used to erect homes for habitation. However, they were built and therefore, from the builders' point of view, the timber itself must have been in good preservation. .'•■.,■

In a silkworm's cocoon there are from 500 to 1200 yards of Bilk. '._„.„