SOCIAL SERVICE

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 135, 4 December 1935, Page 4

SOCIAL SERVICE

SALTATION ABMY WOEK

THE MATERNITY HOSPITAL

This year the Salvation Army celebrates the jubilee of its social work in New Zealand. Commissioner Fred H. Adams, the Territorial Commander, intends t.o honour the occasion by carrying out extensive reconstruction and renovations at the Kensington Street Hospital.

The incomplete records at this institution, which has been carrying on its charitable and Christian work for the past half-century, show that over 10,000 patients have passed through it. The aged Salvationist, Mrs. Hawker who nursed the first unmarried mother' is still resident in the city. Before the Army possessed hospitals and nurses, the Salvationists received the unfortunate girls from the streets into their own homes.

. Formerly, there were six hospitals in this country, but the Commissioner has not been able to see his way clear to reopen the one at Napier following the damage by earthquake. At the present time there are five up-to-date hospitals under Salvation Army administration.

The hospital has accommodation both for unmarried mothers and for private patients. Separate accommodation is provided in the hospital for married patients, and an increasing amount of work is being done in this way. The girls enter the hospital from three to one month prior to accouchement. They represent all ages and all creeds and. no creed, all characters and conditions. It is the youth of some of these girls which brings ■ the most poignant feeling to the officers, girls of 13, 14, 15, and 16 years of age. The young mother remains in the hospital until the babe is three months old.. This ensures the child having a good start in life and also enables the officers to assist the girl to a happier future. When the young mother leaves the hospital the Army helps in making adjustments in the home, work, or business for the young woman. Whenever it appears to be best for the chilcl and the mother herself, she is encouraged to keep her babe, but when this is inadvisable because of circumstances, and when the child is eligible for adoption, the Army worksso that it is arranged in proper order and the right home is found for the child. Other babes are boarded in registered homes, and a few are committed to the State.

"Where a marriage between the girl and the father of her child appears to promise happiness, the matron helps to arrange that marriage, which is often performed m the hospital. The Army does not favour marriage simply to establish legitimacy, and when it is apparent that the marriage would only be followed by further unhappiness and trouble, the mother is advised and assisted to work out her own future and that of her babe.

Captain Evelyn Berry in addition to her duties as manager and matron of the hospital, is also the trainer at Kensington Street. The trainees have been successful in their studies, and last year the highest honours, for the Dominion in the State examination were carried off by one of the Kensington Street nurses.

The Army is full of gratitude to all who through long years have shown their interest in the hospital and expresses thanks to Dr. Corkill for his interest in the hospital and valuable instruction to the nurses; to Dr. Martin, Dr. Ewart, and other members of the medical profession; to Miss Hooper of the Plunket Society; and to Mr. Dunn for his professional assistance in legal matters; to the daily Press for sympathetic references; and to a large section of the generous public who have helped the organisation ,to carry an otherwise impossible burden.

Whilst there is every facility for the best modern obstetrical care, with up-to-date equipment in the immaculate theatre, with a conscientious and capable nursing staff, and in the clinic every provision for pre-natal and postnatal observation and care so that the best of modern science is available for both mother and child, at the same time, the present building, which has done such good service in the past, is altogether inadequate for present purposes. The Commissioner is hopeful that friends' of the organisation and sympathisers will come to his assistance to have this handicap overcome.