WOMAN'S SACRIFICE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 7 March 1912, Page 5

WOMAN'S SACRIFICE.

BACK BLOCK SETTLEMENT. 1 EXPERIENCES IN THE KING COUNTRY. . .< , DOCTORS AND NUIISES ASKED FOR, (United Press Association.) HAMILTON, This Day.V Harrowing stories were told to.a special meeting of the VVaikaio Hospital Board by a deputation from backblock settlers in the King Country yes : terday, in asking that a do-otor and nudse's be supplied. An instance \vas given where a woman, in lier confinement suffered terribly from want of-T.atr tenttem, and where on occasions, '.assistance of male relatives, only could ; be obtained.

One story was told of a woman car*, vied by her men folk eight- miles -tothe nearest railway point, where. , sh© was placed on a velocipede and convey.'* ed. miles for medical aid. - V

Another tale told was of a woman on the eve of her confinement, setting oiit , alone to walk eight miles iii tile depth of winter over terrible country to a. junction in order to get a. conveyance, to take her to a place she coUlcl : get- medical assistance. She left Jiee» young children„at 'homer with her 1 husband. The woman ..proceeded somemiles.; until dusk coming on, and she being\ut-_ terly fagged, she sat. down .in. despaiii*. in. a part of th.-j. country,: and was'toll;, able to proceed further. Fortunately horseman hnppened to . come, along, an<fr. life found the woman beneath a tree ' preparing to remain there throughout tjie dreary night. Qfher stories> told were equally apr " palling. . . i " v -v' jit i was stated-that , .nobody, .except; r those Jiving *-her<j-, realised -.the dreadful; experiences of the women whom, ordained to spend tJiejr. .life- . ::in.. rate*, backblocks. Certain, districts aid, 45 miles from a railway, vdt.hi bad ~rv o ndsir.; The Board is taking .into* consideration the sending of nurses into the district.