Opening of Nurses' Home, Wairau Hospital

Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume XV, Issue 3, 1 July 1926, Page 112

Opening of Nurses' Home, Wairau Hospital

Thursday, April 29th, was a day of great events for the nurses of the Wairau Hospital, when their new home was opened by the Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Young.

The chairman of the Hospital Board, Mr. Nees, who introduced the Minister, and Mr. Girling, M.P. for this district, both speaking of the urgent necessity for our new home, and wished us a very happy time there.

The Minister, on rising to speak, was presented by Mr. Nees with a gold key, as a memento of the occasion, and after a very interesting address, he performed the ceremony for which we had been waiting, namely, the opening of the front door of our new home.

The general public was then admitted to inspect the building, and there was a large and representative gathering, to whom afternoon tea was dispensed by

the matron and nurses, while inspiring music was supplied by a local orchestra.

The new home is an imposing twostoried brick building, with every modern convenience; is lighted throughout with electricity, and contains ample accommodation for thirty-five nurses.

In the evening a delightful dance was given by the matron, Miss Lewis, and nursing staff, to which a very large number of friends came, some coming from as far away as Nelson.

Dancing was held m the spacious social and dining rooms, which were gaily decorated with paper streamers, balloons, and flowers m autumn tints, and supper was served m the nurses' study. Excellent music was supplied by Rush's Orchestra, and the joining of hands and singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought a most enjoyable function to its close.