Extracts from Nurses' Letters

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume VIII, Issue 3, 1 July 1915, Page 132

Extracts from Nurses' Letters

R.M.S. Rotorua, April 26th, 1915. We are having a very good voyage- — some rough days, of course, and some of the nurses were very ill for almost a week. I was very glad when we got them up on deck. As usual, I was very well. I am very muc h enj oying my holiday, have entered into most of the games and tournaments and so far am holding my own with the young ones. There is a very good deck tennis game invented by Captain Sutqliffe and the Bishop of Christchurch. I am playing bridge with the second officer and we have won six out of seven matches and have ten more to play. There are concerts and dances every week, and I find myself footing it merrily too. We have church parade on Sundays, all in uniform, and nearly fill the first-class saloon. The Captain is delighted with the uniform and especially the indoor. They all appeared last night in their red capes and white caps (Sunday evening when he was dining with us) and he was very pleased. It did look so nice in the white and green saloon. French study only goes on fairly well — toojmany interruptions. There is a man on board who has been a tutor, and he has a class of about 25 of the nurses, giving them conversation. We had a fancy dress ball the other night and you should have seen the wonderful dresses evolved out of nothing. Sister Buckley got the second prize for a lighthouse. She wore a long white dress with brown paper at the bottom, which I painted like rocks and stone. A rail around her shoulders like the balcony and at the top of her head an electric light, which was c onnected by one of the engineers to a switch which she held in her hand so that she could make flashes. London. — I have seen Miss Beecher this morning and we are all going on to Egypt next week, as soon as transport, uniform and kit canbe ready. They have to take an equipment, beds, etc. (Miss Maclean)

R.M.S. "Rotorua," 15th May, 1915. " We have just left Teneriffe and now all is excitement at the thought of reach-

ing England soon. We will all be very glad to get into harness again. We have all got on so well together, and, speaking for myself, I have enjoyed every bit of the road. But then I have not been sick — some of the nurses were very sick — you would have felt sorry for the wrecks that were hauled up on deck. Yesterday we spent in Teneriffe — arrived there at 6.30 a.m. and left at 3 p.m. Several of us went ashore, but it did not tempt one to stay long. Really, the filth of the streets and the smells were awful ; we longed for Jeye's fluid. People expectorate all over the streets. We came back about 12.30 — only on shore a little over two hours. Their fancy work was lovely but mostly very dear ; and they simply waylay you and beg till you get so sick of them. I got a few things that I can use, but we are leaving the bulk of our purchasing till we return — whenever that will be. We just got word yesterday of the loss of the Lusitania. What a fiendish affair ! Last night the prizes were given to the successful competitors at the various sports. The nurses did pretty well. I did not go in for any events' — thought a rest would be better — and now I am rather glad, as last Sunday I had an attack of sciatica and that would have been put down to sports probably. I am nearly better now, but a bit stiff. Ido hope it is all gone by the time we get to England. We have life-boat drill occasionally. At the sound of six whistles we have to rush up on deck with our life -belts and form in line. It is really a splendid idea to practise, but we fervently hope we shall not be required to do it in earnest. There are not many children in the first and second, but a great number in the steerage. Miss Maclean has been such an angel ; we all adore her. She mothers us to further orders and is such a " sport " besides. We all wish she was to be with us all the time. I am writing to Nurse Winfield this mail. I do hope she is liking my district better as she gets to know the people. lam sure they will all make a fuss of her and do their best to make her feel at home. I

should love to peep into some of their homes and have a yarn. We are wondering if we might be sent to the Dardanelles. If &o I may get a ehcnca of seeing my Maoris. We had several concerts on board. At the last one Miss Anderson, Sister Taylor and I did a haka and sang a Maori song, "He aroha nui, haere mai." We got a double encore. We made piu-pius out of ravelled rope- — plaited it in Maori fashion — ■ had bands around our heads, huia feathers the carpenter painted the lower part of some white feathers — and had our chins tatooed. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, though we were fearfully nervous — -our legs would hardly hold us up. The nurses are all learning the haka now. They think it Avould come in handy for " ceremonious " occasions, such as leaving the boat, etc. It is about time for church. The nurs?s look so nice in their greys with white caps. The captain dines in our saloon on Sundays and likes to sse us in uniform. He has been most kind to us all. What with afternoon teas and port wine before lunch we will bs quite spoiled." — -Jean Cormack.