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Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume III, Issue 3, 1 July 1910, Page 105

Nurses' Home, Napier Hospital. Dear Miss Maclean, — Thinking that you might like to hear from the nuryes from time to time, we are sending a small contribution to Kai Tiaki. As there is a sameness about nurses' work while on duty, we thought we would tell you a little of what we sometimes do off duty. We all share the sentiments of the wise old adage : — " A little nonsense now and then, Is relished by the wisest men." So instead of lectures and stuctying, our thoughts turned to ways and means of giving a farewell evening to Sister Hetly, who was shortly to leave our circle, to receive a course of training at St. Helens, Christchurch. With one accord we all decided that it should be a fancy dress elance and entertainment, no nurse being allowed to come unless in fancy costume. Mr. Jones, a brother of one of our nurses, kindly lent us a gramophone, which helped our programme immensely. The first item was a Spanish dance, by two of the nurses ; in national costume, whose actions were imitated in a ridiculous way by two coons — Yoo and Pete. Some other items were : Charades, songs in character, recitations, guessing competitions, dancings, etc. Pete, whose acting was typical of his race, kept us in fits of laughter all the evening, especially when he solemnly offered Matron his arm and took her into supper, the baking for which was all elone by elifferent nurses, and tastefully laid out in the study. After doing full justice to all the gocd things, we wended our way back again to the draw-ing-room to finish our programme, when we had the pleasure of seeing the almost obsolete " Sairy Gamp," aglow with testimonials from antiquated doctors. With " Sarah " came her rival, " The Future Nurse," who did not consider a few rings and bangles out of place, as they could be sterilised occasionally, anel they added to her charms. After wishing Sister Hetly all success and good luck at St. Helens, we presented her with a hypodermic case, from " The Sisters ''

and an ebony-backed hand-mirrcr and brush, suitably engraved, from " The Nurses." After singing " Anld I<ang Syne," we all departed our different ways, some fortunate ones to bed, and some to night duty, all feeling confident that it was one of the most enjoyable evenings ever held in the Nurses' Home at Napier Hospital.