'EL NIDO' CLOSING

Evening Star, Issue 25716, 13 February 1946, Page 4

'EL NIDO' CLOSING

ESTABLISHED IN 1808 FIRST MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN N.Z. Because of staffing difficulties and the problem of satisfying the Health Department's requirements regarding the equipment of a modern maternity home, the old-est-established maternity .hospital in the Dominion, ' El <.Nido,' will be closed in August. It does not seem possible that ' El Nido 'will continue in its present capacity under new management, and, as a result, Dunedin will be deprived of a hospital that has rendered service to the community since 1908. Opened in Castle street by Mrs Brew as a new venture in opposition to tb.B old custom of employing midwiyes, ' Wharepuni, as the establishment was then known, quickly proved a. success and gradually similar homes were established throughout the country. When accommodation proved inadequate, a larger establishment was purchased in Clyde street. Mrs Mathieson, who succeeded Mrs Brew, was in charge of the home until it came under the dare of Miss Cupples and Mrs Gordon. , .• When the problem of accommodation again arose, the hospital was transferred to the corner of Castle and Albany streets, where it became known as ' Nurse Cupples's Maternity Home, Finally, Miss Cupples moved the establishment to the picturesque building which overlooks the Botanic Gardens; and it became known as 'EI Nido. _ The hospital is at present in the charge of Sister Angas, who ha* rendered service in it for 20 years.