Pioneers

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XII, Issue 4, 1 October 1919, Page 175

Pioneers

Pioneers, not quite, perhaps, m the full meaning of the word, but m a small degree, the first sisters arrived at the newly-opened sanatorium to prepare for the reception of patients. The following description is sent by one : —

" We arrived safely Saturday night, went to the hotel for dinner and a wash, and afterwards motored to the San. We had been told it was fearfully muddy and unfinished, but we had not imagined mud such as we found thick and sticking like glue to one's feet and clothes,

" Our rooms are very comfortable. Each one contains the following : Bedstead and bedding, washstand, toilet set, two tin water-cans, large enamel slop-pail, and a wardrobe, two chairs, dressing-table, and last but not least, a large clothes-horse (all supplied from Ordinance Stores — a man's conception of the needs of women).

i; Sunday morning was gloriously fine, I got up and found a man, who was kind enough to bring me some drinking water, so we were able to have a cup of tea, and then we cooked bacon and eggs for breakfast.

drank tea out of pint mugs, and felt much better. For dinner, as we only had two saucepans, we made some boiled sago for pudding, and the only egg we possessed rolled off the table on to the floor, fortunately the yoke decided to stay m the shell, so we put it m the pudding. We had stewed chops with plenty of leeks and carrots and potatoes. For tea we had chops and onions. So far we have not been able to get any butter or milk, but the things will all turn up m time. Fortunately we are all able to see the funny side of life, and have had many a good laugh. " Visitors came up by the dozen on Sunday, and they seemed particularly interested m us, they stared at us so much that I quite expected to see nuts and buns forthcoming at any moment. One old lady lost her shoes m the mud. Another said to me : ' I suppose you're used to roughing it, nurse.' I smiled and said, ' Oh, yes.' To-day it has been snowing just beautifully and coming down heavily, and very cold.

The air is lovely and we are always hungry. The work here will be very uphill for a long while, but it will be lovely when it is finished. The nurses' home is large, and will have every convenience. There is a large sittingroom, comfortably furnished, and with a lovely view down the valley, with its winding river now widely spread beyond its banks. The dining-room is a nice room, too, and the bedrooms, each one to ourselves, are comfortable. It will be some time before the lighting or laundry are ready, but other things are improving daily. Duck-boards, which remind us of France, have been laid down on the mud between the shelters and other buildings. It is just a case of ' keep smiling/ and we shall be very happy.

" Last evening we had a car and went to town and had dinner at the hotel, We shall have to get gum-boots and oilskins and sou'wester hats. Ido hope the patients will be happy and contented m time. They will have everything to make them so.