A New Zealand Nurse in America and Canada

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XVII, Issue 1, 1 January 1924, Page 39

A New Zealand Nurse in America and Canada

Nurse Stella C. Aston, of Wellington, who some time ago gave a very interesting article of her travels in California, over the Rockies and in the States, supplies a further interesting instalment. She says : —

"My cousin (Miss Harvey) and I arrived in Boston after five hours of travel by train from New Haven, Conn., staying at the Parkhouse Hotel. It is from this hotel the Parkhouse Rolls originated. Boston is a city more on English lines than any I have visited so far. The streets are narrow, hilly, and paved with cobble stones, evidently built before town-plan-ning was seriously considered. There is only one straight street continuing for any distance. We motored through Cam bridge and Brookline, the home of the millionaires. One home, owned by a lady who imported all her furniture from Florence and other cities, is interesting. The furniture, being somewhat quaint, came in as 'curios,' duty free. She opens her home as a museum for one month in the year. "On through Cambridge, past Harvard University, we spent some time viewing the wonderful glass flowers in the Agassis Museum. It is the only collection of its kind known to exist, and the lifework of a Bavarian and his son, named Balascha. Harvard University has recently erected a very imposing addition, in memory of a former student named Widner, w T ho lost his life in the Great AVar. Continuing along the Memorial Boulevard — also built by subscription in memory of those men who made the supreme sacrifice — we come to the home of Longfellow. From his study window he commanded a view of the Clfarles River, so named after Charles IT of England. It was always his wish that the view of the river should never be built out, so by subscription of the school children of Cambridge, the tract of land leading from the home to the river was made into a public park. A memorial bust of the poet is placed at the entrance. The home of 'The village black

smith' is still there, a tablet marking the spot where the chestnut-tree grew. "We also passed the homes of Louisa May Alcott and Oliver Wendell Holmes. While in Boston we visited a somewhat unique building, used as Baptist church on Sunday and movie pictures during the week. Do you remember the poem we taxed our memory with in the old schooldays, 'Paul Rever's Ride?' The old home is still there, the quaint furniture and pictures, also the belfry from which came the Signal at the approach of the British. ''Another interesting trip was to the Navy Yard. Here we went on board 'Old Ironsides." It seemed as though we were back two and a-half centuries ago: the old guns (not the original, as these are in different museums throughout the country) , the big cook-stove in the middle, the low decks. People would not be so fond of sea-travelling these days if they lived under these conditions. "Our next halt was at Buffalo, having travelled through the States of Massachusetts and New York by night. A few hours sufficed in Buffalo, then we made a move for Niagara. You have seen many pictures and from all angles, of these Falls; but to stand on the brink and see millions of gallons of water pouring over and continuing year after year is truly wonderful and awe-inspiring. After crossing the steel arch bridge we set foot on British soil for tiie first time in two years. The best view is obtained of both the American and Horseshoe Falls about one mile up on the Canadian side. "At Table Rock, on the brink of Horseshoe Falls, we left the car, and donning rubber boots, coats and hats, we descended into the tunnel under the Falls. Can you imagine millions of [gallons of water pouring down in front of you, 158 gallons to the foot, forming fantastic shapes as it descends with a tremendous roar ? Again on top, we continued along the gorge to the aero car, which goes across the whirlpool rapids. We were waiting ten minutes before any more passengers

could be persuaded to cross. It is supported by seven cables, so is perfectly safe. It appeared as if looking from an aeroplane on the rapids beneath. Continuing along the banks of the river, passing one of the many hydro-electric plants, we come to Lewiston and Queenstown heights. We ascended the Brock monument, 185 ft. high, erected in memory of Sir Isasic Brock, who fell in battle on these heights in 1912. From the top a fine panorama of fertile fruit-growing-land along the shore of the lake is to be obtained. This, I believe, is one of the most productive fruit regions in America.

w After climbing up and down the spiral staircase of the monument, one wonders for a moment if we are really in a 'dry 7 country. Another interesting trip is at the foot of the Falls. In a little boat, called 'The Maid of the Mist,' we looked funny objects in rubber hats and coats; but as soon as our little craft drew near to the Falls we were glad of the protection from the spray. It was like three rainy uays in Wellington rolled into ont . Horseshoe Falls are of a greenish blue appearance, owing to their prreat depth, and separated from the American Falls by Goat Island. We crossed Lake Ontario to Toronto — a very nice city; but after the traffic in American cities, it seemed quiet. The House of Parliainem is a fine structure, and, unlike America, the guide did not say, 'This cost (so many) million dollars. 7 In Toronto we met two New Zealanders — Miss Hazel Gooder and Miss Barbara Mackenzie, of Wellington. Miss Gooder motored us round and showed us the sights of the city. Arrived in Montreal, we visited the Royai Victoria Hospital. Miss Hersley (lady superintendent) was kind enough to have one of the nurses conduct us over the institution. The hospital is a wonderful site, on the side of Mount Royal, and from many of the wards can be seen a panoramic view of Montreal and the St. Lawrence "River. This hospital has only 500 beds, but covers more ground than any other hospital of this accommodation I have seen. The arrangement of the consulting, examination and testing

looms are fine. They have a new opera-tion-room, which I will take time to describe. I often think of the time we spent dusting tops of cupboards, ledges, etc. Here everything is built into the walls, and all you can see is glass doors. All supply cupboards have iglass doors — no necessity to open each time to see the quantity. Another splendid idea is the lotion cupboard — all salines, boracic-acid solutions, etc., arc kept in glass containers. The cupboard is kept regularly at the required heat, so they are ready at a moment's notice. The private pavilion lias cork floors, and all private rooms double doors; so it is almost sound proof. They also have very fine hydro-therapy departments. Whilst here we motored past the Lachine Rapids, and also went into some of the buildings, including the Catholic Church at Notre Dame. A great many residents of Montreal are Frenchspeaking, and there are- numbers of monasteries and Brother schools. We also visited Rousay House, the former home of the Governors. "We decided to take the boat from Montreal to Quebec, as it is much more comfortable. These boats take all night, whereas the train takes only five hours; but it was a very pleasant run. The whole of the centre of these boats is a lounge-room, with big, comfortable chairs along each side. Quebec is a very quaint city, and called the Gibraltar of America. A great many New Zealanders have visited this city, and remember the narrow streets and hills. Of course Dufferin Terrace is not so popular this time of tin year, and people patronise the covered sightseeing 'buses. We also rode in the quaint little callehe, so plentiful around here. While sitting in the cable car, ready to go to Kent House, the residence of the late Queen Victoria's father, the control-box caught fire, so we could not go. "Arrived in New Haven after nearly 24 hours' travelling. About the only interesting parts were Quebec Bridge — one of the longest spans in the world' — and through the asbestos regions, where 90

per cent, of the world's asbestos comes from. The customs officials do their duty at Sherebrooks. on the border. If you happen to lie lucky, the lid is lifted; but otherwise your boots and every other article is shaken out. One man on the diner

had a bottle marked 'Preserves.' I would not have known, but I saw him wink at the waiter. Another igave a suspiciouslooking parcel to the porter with a tip. However, these things will happen ! More news by later mail."

Christmas at St. Helens, Auckland, was ushered in by the nurses singing Christmas carols, one of the staff having a lovely voice. Sister Brown, dressed up as Santa Claus ; paid each patient a visit, giving a small parcel to each mother and baby. The patients thoroughly enjoyed their Christmas. A baby boy arrived just as the staff sat down to dinner, but this interruption was made up for by the evening party, held in the nurses' sittingroom, where singing and dancing was much enjoyed. The nurses presented the Matron with a silver hot-water jug, inscribed with her name.