Auckland

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume II, Issue 4, 1 October 1909, Page 166

Auckland

A general meeting was held on 5th August, when the question of raising funds for a clubroom was discussed at length. A ball was unanimously decided upon. Mrs. Kidd, as President of the Social Committee, promised to take the matter in hand, the date to be fixed by their Excellencies Lord and Lady Plunket, who had graciously consented to be present. The Choral Hall was decided upon as the most central and suitable building. On the evening of the 21st July a large gathering of members of our Branch Association assembled, by the kind courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Kidd, of Epsom, at their house, to meet and welcome the Inspector General of Hospitals, Dr. Valintine. Our President (Mrs. Bedford) received and introduced Dr. Valintine. Music and cards in the drawing-room occupied the first part of the evening, and at 10 o'clock the dining-room, with its very artistic floral decorations and tables of dainty refreshments, was thrown open. After supper Dr. Valintine gave a very instructive and interesting address, touching upon loyalty as a strong point in our profession. Amongst the guests were Miss Bicknel, of Wellington, and Miss Colley, our President's only daughter : She is a fully trained nurse, and has been spending some months in Auck-

land. She has now left for Sydney, andjis shortly to be married. The evening closed with a vote of thanks to the Inspector General, followed by one to our most hospitable host and hostess.

Her Excellency, Lady Plunket, bad most gracioudy and kindly arranged for an (( At Home " at Government House, for the members of the Association. This " At Home j: took place on the afternoon of 10th September. The weather was absolutely perfect. Quite a large number of nurses were present, amongst them being representatives from several of the country hospitals. Her Excellency received in the drawingroom, which was beautifully decorated with spring flowers, noticeably bowls of lovely anemones and primroses. There was an orchestra of very pretty music. Afternoon tea was served in the dining-room. Her Excellency, accompanied by the Governor, walked about freely among the guests in an informal way, which made all present feel thoroughly happy. Mrs. Waterfield, and several other members of the ViceRegal party, were also in attendance. • During the afternoon the children of the Vice-Regal family were brought in and introduced to the nurses. Needless to remark, " His Majesty," the baby, received special

admiration. Warmest thanks were given for the delightful afternoon, and hopes were expressed for the future happiness of our patroness and family.

The Iong-ta1ked-of Nurses' Ball took place on Thursday, 16th September, and was a great success, both as regards the large number present, and the decorations and general appearance. The 'Weekly Graphic" and "Weekly News" contain accounts of the decorations and ladies' gowns, so that a brief account only will be required in the following notes : The Governor and I v ady Plunkct arrived punctually at 8.30, with their suite, and passed through the guard of honour, composed of 1 10 nurses in full uniform, to their seats on the dais, when Her Excellency was presented with a bouquet in the colours of: scarlet and white, in red cross form, by our President. The ball was opened by the Vice-Regal set of lancers, followed by the five fancy sets, of which two were pompadour, one dolly, and two entirely of nurses in uniform with their badges. These picturesque sets were repeated at I^ady Plunket's special request, the nuises' sets being then placed at the top of the room. Mrs. Bedford arranged one set called the Patriotic, in pompadour style, in costumes of velvet, iu the colours of red, white and blue, the gentlemen wearing correspondingcolours as facings and badges. One nurses' set was entirely made up of nurses and medical men as follows : — Matron Nurse Andrews — Dr. L,ewis ; Matron Nurse Pieper — Dr. McMasters ; Matron Nurse Holman — Dr. Hardie-Neill ; Sister Gill— Dr. Purchas ; vSister Jordan — Dr. Parkes ; Nurse Stevens — Dr. Tansley ; Nurse Harvey — Dr. Eade ; Nurse Cooke — Dr. Strede, with nurses' uniforms of red, white and blue. Second set of nurses and officers was arranged by Mrs. Kidd, as follows : — Mrs. Hughes-Jones (Matron) — Engineer, Commander | Little ;

Miss Foote — Staff Surgeon Moss ; Nurse Pascoe — Captain Dawson ; Nurse Glasson — Lieut. Cummings; Nurse Fee — Capt. Stevenson ; Nurse Horrocks — Lieut. Corbel ; Nurse Scott — Paymaster Kimbler. White nurses' uniform, scarlet badge on arm. The officers in this set were from H.M-S. " Prometheus " and the volunteer corps. These two sets met with marked approbation. Mrs. Bedford was presented with a bouquet in scarlet and white by Mrs. Kidd, on behalf of the nurses. The decoration was in a scheme of scarlet and white, with the red cross predominant. Excellent music, and a general appearance of gaiety and brightness. There were many pretty frocks; but the crowd was too dense to display them to advantage. Miss Beatrice Day came in aftei the theatre, looking very charming. The general committee worked hard, and thanks are due to our Mayor (Mr. Grey) and the Mayoress for their great assistance in decorations and other details ; also to Mrs. Parkes, organiser of the supper committee, and to those ladies who so ably assisted her, and indeed, to the entire number of willing helpers. The Vice-Regal party remained till after supper, His Bxcellency remarking with a smile that the guard of honour was the finest guard he had ever been received by. The members of the permanent force, and the men of war from the "Prometheus' 3 did yeoman work in the decorations. We are hoping that on the occasion of our next nurses' ball we may have the Town Hall, as the present Choral Hall proved far and away too small for the number of guests. The result of the Nurses' Ball is a sum of about /i 50 towards a club room. The supper was entirely provided by the ladies of Auckland, on a very liberal scale, and to them our thanks are warmly accorded. Ada Morrison.