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As one who, for nearly forty years, has watched with sympathetic eye the progress of training of nurses in our hospitals, I am privileged to write a foreword to this book.
No nurse's education can be considered complete without a knowledge of the history of nursing, more especially of nursing in her own country. It is fortunate for our nurses that the history of nursing in New Zealand has been undertaken by one who has done so much to improve the training and raise the standard of nursing as well as the status of the nurse. Even when I commenced practice here, nurses, not far removed from the “Sairey Gamp” type, were quite common: these nurses were innocent of anti-septics and sometimes even ignored ordinary cleanliness. It is not many years since there was an insufficient supply of trained registered nurses.
New Zealand has been fortunate with its Hospitals Department (later merged into the
We hear much of the “born nurse,” but I doubt if there is any such person. What is born in a woman is the
Of many a woman it may be said that she is “kind, kind, gentle, and true,” but unless training and experience are added, no woman could ever meet the requirements of modern nursing and make a good nurse. It is often asked what constitutes a good nurse. A woman well endowed with intelligence and common sense, with abundance of the milk of human kindness, alert in mind and body, with some sense of humour, and well trained in nursing, should be a good nurse. Her motto would surely be, “Do as you would be done by.” Other things being equal, an educated woman has a better chance of becoming a good nurse than an uneducated one. The standard of education a girl should attain, before entering a hospital to train as a nurse has long been a point of dispute. It seems to me a mistake to take any girl to train unless she has had at least two years at a secondary school. The nurse's curriculum has been gradually extended and now includes a considerable amount of medicine and surgery, out I do not agree with those who consider that this has gone too far. For such knowledge enables them to take a more intelligent interest in their cases and be of more assistance to the patient as well as to the doctor. Nurses are far past the stage attained by the soldiers of whom it was written: “Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die.” I have heard it stated that no nurse's (and for that matter no doctor's) training is complete until she has had an illness herself. Far be it for me to suggest such an addition to the curriculum.
Besides her departmental work, Kai Tiaki), a journal of considerable merit. It has been a bond of union amongst the nurses throughout New Zealand and has kept them abreast of the doings in the nursing world. It is a constant source of interest, providing not only news, but also instruction. One wonders, now, why a nursing journal was not started sooner. This was a labour of love, for the profit made was devoted to the Nurses' Memorial Fund. It must be remembered, too, that this work was added to her already busy life in the
Beloved and respected by the nurses, it was fortunate for Miss Maclean, that after a period of “toiling, rejoicing, sorrowing” before she retired from her departmental duties, she had the satisfaction of knowing that our nurses had reached a standard of training that compared favourably with that of any other country. Moreover, she had already had the opportunity of seeing for herself that New Zealand trained nurses made good in the Great War and were second to none in the British Empire.
In presenting this little book to the nurses of New Zealand I must confess that it was with no idea of publication I commenced writing my recollections of a fairly long life; starting from my early childhood, carrying on during my early womanhood, my training as a nurse, my work in Sydney, Melbourne, London, and finally in New-Zealand. I have omitted in this volume my life prior to 1906, when I came to New Zealand, as for New Zealand nurses the latter part is of more interest. I must impress upon my readers that these recollections do not claim to be strictly history, which would have involved research, which, owing to ill-health, would not have been possible for me to undertake. I have been greatly helped by reference to the old volumes of Kai Tiaki, also the
If this slight record of the progress of Nursing in New Zealand and the work of our nurses during the Great War is acceptable and useful in the education of our future nurses I shall be well pleased.
I wish to acknowledge with thanks the help of Mr. Berry, of the Evening Post, and of Dr. William Young in preparing the little book for publication, and Miss Moore and Miss Lambie for the preparation of the appendix.
Born in New South Wales, my early life was that of the ordinary round; childhood, education, entrance into society, amusement, such as tennis, dancing, reading, a little artistic work, home nursing, visiting, passed the time at a happy home until after my father's death, I felt that it was necessary for me to take up a more satisfactory career.
My father died of typhoid fever, and was nursed by an English nurse who inspired me with the desire to become a qualified nurse. I had always been the member of the family to undertake the care of anyone ill in the household, and indeed with my married sister's young family had had some practice. A medical friend wanted me to take up massage, but another said, “Train as a nurse first,” so I took his advice and entered the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in January, 1890. I have written an account (but unfortunately it would make this book too long) of my experiences there, of my short term of private nursing; of my matronship of a cottage hospital; of my district nursing work in Melbourne; of my going to Melbourne as sister-in-charge of the gynæcological wards of the Women's Hospital; of my matronship of a new hospital for women and children, staffed by women doctors; of my return as Matron to the Women's Hospital; of my visit to England, and the obtaining of my certificate from the Central Midwives' Board, London; of my return to Sydney and my district nursing work there; of my experience as matron of a large private mental hospital.
This all brings me to the time when I came to New Zealand, and was appointed to fill a position for which the varied work I had done during fifteen years gave me the experience needed to carry on the varied work which lay before me.
About a year after my return to Australia, I received a letter from
Dr. Agnes Bennett had started practice in Wellington some two years previously, and was well known to the then Assistant Inspector, Mrs. Grace Neill.
The salary offered was good, and I thought I would be wise to apply for it, so I got a few letters of recommendation and sent my application.
I then received a cable from Dr. Bennett saying to come over at once or I would probably lose the appointment. The New Zealand boat was to leave the next day, so hurriedly I obtained leave from the committee of the District Nursing Society, Sydney, of which I was sister-in-charge, found a substitute in Sister Garden, an old Prince Alfred friend, and started off in the Moeraki.
I quite enjoyed the short voyage, and arrived on the 24th October, 1906, and was met by Dr. Agnes Bennett, Dr. Bennett took me to her home, and next morning I went to the Hospital Department to interview the authorities. Naturally I felt rather diffident, but the kindly manner in which I was received by Mrs. Neill reassured me greatly, then came the interview with Dr. Macgregor and his assistant, Dr. Hay. After that I was taken by Mrs. Neill to see the Minister-in-Charge of Hospitals, Mr. (now Sir)
As theirs was a well-known family, Sir Donald having been a Minister of the Crown, no doubt my family credentials stood me in good stead. Cabinet was sitting prior to the departure of the Prime Minister, Mr.
Mrs. Neill took me to the Museum, and left me contemplating the tuatara lizards, with instructions to come back to the office in an hour's time. To this day I can see those reptiles which scarcely appeared alive, they were so immobile. At last I perceived the slightest motion of breathing. The hour seemed long, I found my way back to the office and there was my appointment signed with great formality and style.
I felt somewhat overwhelmed at what I had undertaken, as I always have felt when taking up some new enterprise, but I managed to conceal my trepidation; after all I thought, it is no use deciding you cannot do a thing, but best to try, and you will probably make a success of it.
The personality of the woman I was to succeed was such as to inspire one with the desire to make good as she had done, and to carry on the work she had commenced as she would have wished it carried on.
The good foundation was there on which I was to build.
Mrs. Grace Neill was a woman of high birth and education. She was a Scots woman of the clan Campbell, closely connected with the Duke of Argyll; she trained as a nurse under St. John's Home, King's College and Charing Cross, and had been matron of a hospital at Home, the Pendlebury Hospital for Children.
She married a doctor, and came out to Queensland with him in 1886. She had one son—her people had long before given her up when she wished to lead an independent life, so, on her husband's death, she was thrown on her own resources, and maintained herself and her boy by literary work. The then Governor of Queensland was a friend to her, and through him she was given a commission of enquiry into some charitable work. She then met and worked with Mr. Lukin, who came to New Zealand as Editor of the Evening Post in Wellington, and it was through him she came to New Zealand, and was appointed Inspector of Factories in 1893.
Her outstanding ability in public work caused the late Dr. Macgregor, Inspector-General of Hospitals and Charitable Aid, to get her appointed to be his assistant, and help him in the control of hospitals; this was in 1895. This gave her her opportunity—as a nurse of experience and a woman of vision. At that time the hospitals of New Zealand were small, and not too well organised, and the training of nurses was in its infancy. Mrs. Neill had much
Some years after Mrs. Neill's appointment as Inspector of Hospitals, she was given leave to visit the Old Country, and see her family, with whom, by this time she was reconciled—she had been invited by the Royal British Nurses' Association to form a branch of the Association in New Zealand, but after looking into the matter, felt that New Zealand nurses would not gain much by joining this association. She met
On Mrs. Neill's return to New Zealand, she set to work to obtain State registration for nurses, and with the approval of her chief, Dr. Macgregor, drafted the Bill, which was passed by Parliament as The Nurses' Registration Act, 1901, and under which nurses were trained, examined and registered, until an amended Act was passed in 1925.
This was the first straight-out Nurses' Registration Act passed in the world.
In South Africa, a Medical Act had made provision for the registration of nurses a year previously, but it was not a true nurses' Act.
It was not possible to obtain quite all Mrs. Neill desired by the Bill, which was amended, not altogether to its betterment, by the House, but at least it set a standard which improved the status of nurses and prescribed a training under regulation, and a uniform examination.
The next important work undertaken by Mrs. Neill was a Bill for the registration of midwives. This was passed in 1904, and provided for hospitals in which mid-wives could be trained. Hitherto, nurses wishing to become midwives had to go either to Australia or Home to England. Miss Wyatt, afterwards the first Matron of St. Helens, had complained to Mrs. Neill of this expensive course, and suggested that training schools should be started. Mrs. Neill thereupon pointed out to the Prime Minister, the late Mr. Seddon, that, as an Act had been passed restricting the work of midwifery after a concession period, to women who were qualified by training and examination to undertake it, it would be necessary to provide the training. Also that the women of the poorer classes needed some proper provision for their confinements.
Mr. Seddon quickly saw her points and gave her instructions to establish, as quickly as possible, a maternity hospital to try out the scheme. He said: “Get to work and have a place ready in a fortnight!” This she did, and in 1905, the first St. Helens Hospital was opened in Wellington and the second in Dunedin, the third in Auckland, in 1906, and the fourth was being prepared in Christchurch at the time of her resignation.
I am writing all this to show the kind of woman my predecessor was, and how it would have taken a super-woman to succeed her and work up to her standard; super-women not being found every day, an ordinary one had to do her best. It must be recorded also that during the Great War, when many of our experienced nurses were away on service, Mrs. Neill, although nearly 70 years of age, offered her services to the Wellington Hospital Board, and acted as sister-in-charge of the children's ward. Later on she was elected a member of the Board, when her experience was of great value.
Just here I might record the following tribute to Mrs. Neill.
The Diploma of the British College of Nurses is one of honour, and is due to the munificence of an anonymous donor, who gave £100,000 to be expended in an endowment fund.
The watchwords adopted by the college are: Knowledge, Science, Charity and Honour.
The diploma, which bears the seal of the College and the head of the first president,
In four panels are inscribed the names of Florence Nightingale, Ethel Fenwick, Rebecca Strong, and Margaret Huxley, while on the ribbon connecting them together, with names such as Agnes Jones, Elizabeth Fry, is that of our own Mrs. Grace Neill.
It is gratifying to us that her name should be thus recognised and honoured among the great nurses of Britain.
In bringing before Parliament the reasons for the Registration Bill the arguments used by Mrs. Neill were very impressive. She said that “in New Zealand we have an exceptionally fine and well-trained body of women as hospital nurses. In the large training schools they work hard for three years, learning the anatomy and physiology necessary to an intelligent performance of their duties, practical nursing, both medical and surgical, sick cookery and household economy; and above all, discipline, obedience and ethics of nursing. When these nurses leave their training schools and take up private nursing they are confronted by a yearly increasing number of women with little or no training, who adopt their uniform and title. For the protection of the public and to give a professional standing to the women of a noble profession, hospital trained nurses should be registered.
Then again, at any time military nurses may be required for field service. At such a time the authorities are besieged by importunate amateurs. In serious gun-shot wounds or cases of enteric, a thorough training in the nurse is of vital importance.
The evil of women of low repute adopting a nursing uniform and posing as nurses in private families with disastrous results is keenly felt, not only in New Zealand, but in Australia, Great Britain and America. Just now a vigorous effort is being made in the colonies for State registration of hospital trained nurses. It only remains for New Zealand to lead the way in this reference, as she has done in many others.”
In introducing the new measure, provision was made that during twelve months for all nurses whose training was completed before the Act came into force, could still become registered without examination. There was, of course,
“Most assuredly State registration has no patronage, benevolence or spoon-feeding about it. Each individual nurse has to show a State appointed, impartial authority that her training has been efficient and thorough, and she pays her fee for a certificate to that effect. It is a policy of self-reliance, not of humble dependance on crumbs from the table of patronage.”
The question of reciprocity with other countries which later obtained State registration has been one of difficulty owing to the many variations in Acts and Regulations. In an appendix will be given the countries with which New Zealand has arranged reciprocity.
A chapter later in this volume gives some details of our reciprocity with Great Britain, New Zealand being the first of the colonies to realise this for her nurses.
In August, 1921, a letter was addressed to me by Miss Riddell, Registrar under the General Nursing Council for England and Wales, asking that I would through Kai Tiaki acquaint nurses in New Zealand that the State Register was now open and the Council prepared to receive applications for registration.
It will be remembered that the Bill for State registration of nurses in Great Britain had been passed in 1919. The intervening time before the register could be opened had been taken up with the preparation of regulations dealing with the many varieties of hospitals and their vested interests in Great Britain, a very different problem to what had to be faced in this new country where nearly 20 years before our registration Act had been passed.
Miss Riddell quoted rule 16 of the Act under which nurses registered elsewhere in His Majesty's Dominions could be accepted and asked me to place the facts before the nurses of New Zealand. I therefore published the whole letter.
Many nurses from the Old Country were in New Zealand, some holding hospital positions, others private nursing and the information thus concerned them very greatly, as, if they wished to return to their own country it would be to their great advantage to be placed upon the British register during the period of concession, as later it would be necessary to pass the State examination.
About this time also, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, addressed a letter to the Governor-General of New Zealand regarding the terms of reciprocity of registration of nurses between the General Nursing Council and New Zealand. The late Dr. Frengley and I drafted the reply giving very fully the conditions of nurses training in New Zealand, pointing out that it was necessary here to allow small hospitals to train nurses, but that these had to comply with the regulations under the Registration Act, and that the uniform State examination had to be passed.
We laid down the terms on which we would accept nurses from Home, and said that only nurses holding a certificate of training from a recognised training school for three years, were eligible, as they had been since our Act was in force, for registration here. That nurses registered under the General Nursing Council on concession clauses would not be accepted.
We fully expected that our smaller hospitals would be cut out, but to our surprise, the reply came out in due course, that the General Nursing Council would accept without condition, nurses registered in New Zealand; and agreed to our conditions regarding nurses registered under concession clauses.
This, of course, was very gratifying and was a testimony no doubt to the efficiency shown by our nurses who from both large and small hospitals, were sent to serve during the War.
A prominent member of the General Nursing Council at that time, was
For a long time New Zealand was the only one of the Dominions thus accepted for reciprocity, though several years later, arrangements were made with other parts of the Empire. At that time, however, New Zealand was the only one of the overseas Dominions which had a nurses' Registration Act, though South African nurses were provided for in a Medical Act. Since then, the Australian Acts have come into force; Victoria 1924, New South Wales 1925.
Writing of reciprocity with these other Dominions, the varying Acts of the Australian Commonwealth, each State unfortunately having a different Act, has made it difficult to establish it fully, and much correspondence has ensued, both before and since my retirement.
Since then too, my successor had a very hard task in endeavouring to preserve intact our reciprocity with the General Nursing Council for England and Wales. In 1929, a Bill was introduced into the House, near the end of session, for the registration of nurses trained in private hospitals. The Nurses' Association saw the danger of this to the status of the nursing profession, and the Hon. Secretary, by getting up a deputation to the Minister of Health, got the Bill deferred to the next session, and a promise that the Association would be given an opportunity of discussing the amendment. This gave some time for organisation against the Bill, which was brought in early in the next year. All the arguments against it which could be brought up were advanced—I was asked by the Association to write to the Press and my letters were published widely Many other opponents to the training in private hospitals, which most trained nurses consider would not be either satisfactory or fair to patients who are paying fees for qualified nursing care, or to
An argument which was the one which appeared to carry most weight was the endangering of our reciprocity with Great Britain, where training in private hospitals is not recognised by the General Nursing Council. The Minister of Health promised that our standard would be upheld, and that any danger to our reciprocity would not be allowed. The result, though not quite all we wanted, which was no alteration of the Act of 1925, was that certain amendments were carried, which would allow of training in private hospitals with public wards attached. The conditions were to be laid down by the Registration Board. The Board ascertained from the General Nursing Council what allowances of time for a nurse's training in the public wards of a private hospital could be given in the private wards, and the reply was, three months only.
This condition practically limits any training of probationers in private hospitals to a degree, which will make it not the easy economic problem that the promoters of the amending Bill hoped.
As a matter of fact, it is extremely unlikely that more than one or two of the large Roman Catholic Church Hospitals will attempt any enlargement of their present capacity to admit many trainees.
While on the subject of State registration I must give some account of the new Act which was prepared partly during my last year of office.
The Nurses' Registration Act, of 1901, was then still in force, but it was felt that now that the profession of nursing was so well organised through its Association, that nurses should have some direct representation in its control. For some years I had advocated a Board on which
Dr. Makgill was detailed to draw up a new Act with me to assist him. He thought it would be wise to incorporate the Midwives' Act in a general Act, and so to bring the midwives also under the same board. The part for nurses registration was very little altered:—
Part I. dealt with general matters and the constitution of a board. This had to be limited to a small number on account of expense, and it was to consist of Chairman, the Director-General of Health; a member of the B.M.A., nominated by that body; two members of the Nurses' Association, nominated by that body, one to represent general trained nurses, the other to represent midwives.
The Director, Division of Nursing, to be Registrar, and to sit as a member of the board.
We had many consultations over this Bill, and it was almost completed when my term of office came to an end.
I was away from New Zealand when the completed Bill was brought before Parliament, and when I returned I was sorry to find that in the midwifery part, two classes of midwife and maternity nurses had been provided for. I did not approve of the two standards, also as maternity nurses had not been registered before, this admitted to the register, under a concession clause, women who had practised without training.
However, the desire was to bring such women under closer supervision than had been possible before, and may possibly have done some good.
When this new Act was passed and came into force, it was at the Annual Conference of the Nurses' Association, held in Christchurch in 1924, that the nominations of nurses for the first Registration Board were made. I was at the Conference, and was one of the two nominees to represent General Nurses. Miss Kohn, Matron of a private hospital in Wellington, the other.
I felt that having only so recently left the Department I would still be too much a Government official, and that it would be wise for the Association to have an entirely independent member. I therefore expressed my views to the meeting and Miss Kohn was elected. I regretted very much that I could not take this office, and possibly my view was mistaken, and I might have had the great interest and pleasure of being a part of the new Board without any detriment to the interests of the nurses.
Miss Inglis, late Matron of St. Helens Hospital, Wellington, was nominated as midwifery representative, and Dr. Young was nominated by the B.M.A., as the Medical representative.
A very busy time was ahead of the Board, in forming regulations under the Act; Miss Bicknell, of course, as Registrar was able to give valuable assistance.
Since this time, as the Board was elected for three years, there has been only one change when Miss Newman who had retired from the Matronship of St. Helens Hospital, Wellington, was nominated for the midwifery section, Miss Tennent, Matron of Dunedin Hospital, for the general nursing part.
Under the Amended Act, 1930, two members were added to the Board, viz., another nurse representative nominated by the Association—Miss Muir, Matron of Christchurch Hospital—and a member of the Hospital Boards' Association—Mr. Wallace, the Chairman of the Auckland Hospital Board. No doubt the presence of a member of this body, will be an advantage to the Nurses' Board, Hospital Board members often do not realise the many problems connected with the training of nurses, necessary as they know nurses are to the existence of hospitals—year by year these problems come before the annual Conference of the Trained Nurses' Association and are discussed fully, and resolutions formed are sent to the Registration Board. The opportunity of their becoming acquainted with the views of the nurses generally is of great value to the Board.
Well, my appointment was made, and I was given the option of returning to Sydney to wind up my work there, or to remain in New Zealand, and have the advantage of a month with Mrs. Neill before taking on my responsibilities. I decided on the latter course, and cabled to Sydney resigning my appointment under the District Nursing Society, and arranging for my belongings to be sent over. I knew that it would not inconvenience my committee there, as Sister Garden was willing to take my place. So, on November 1st, 1906, I became Assistant Inspector of Hospitals for New Zealand, and started my official life.
I was very favourably impressed with Wellington, somehow I had got the impression that of all New Zealand it was the place which lacked beauty. I must have heard the idea of someone who had not gone outside the city, and had never seen the beauty of the harbour, surrounded by its soft contoured hills, taking on lovely tinges of the setting sun, or of the early radiance of morning, and the rising moon at evening, casting a glistening pathway over the water.
Soon I found that Wellington was beautiful, and each year that I have lived here, up on the hills, where I am writing, has more strongly confirmed my belief.
My first duty at the office was to study the various Acts of Parliament, which I should be concerned in administering. I found this interesting and absorbing. One
This, however, had to wait until after Mrs. Neill's departure, as we were at once to undertake a tour through the North and South Islands, and visit as many hospitals as possible.
Before leaving, Dr. MacGregor sent for me and told me his plans for the department. He said he was going to give Dr. Hay the special charge of the mental hospitals, and that I would, under him, carry on inspection of these institutions, which were all under the Government control only.
That he intended to get Dr. Valintine, the second in the
Walking up and down his office, Dr. Macgregor, a fine looking old gentleman, and evidently a man of great ability, gave me a long and confidential talk before dismissing me back to my own office.
This was the last time I saw him, as Mrs. Neill and I set off on our travels, for about a month later he died.
We started off on a fine summer morning early in November, on our way to Napier, visiting on the way several small hospitals, Greytown, a tiny cottage, a cottage at Master-ton, not much bigger, very inconvenient and entirely unsuitable for the purpose, and plans for a new hospital were then being prepared. Dannevirke was another place we visited, quite a new small cottage hospital, then Waipukurau, and finally Napier. None of these hospitals quite met my expectations; they were all small, inconvenient, and badly planned, but, no doubt, at that time met the need of the more sparse population of twenty-five years ago. All of these hospitals are now very different places.
Even Napier, when we came to it, impressed me very badly. This was the hospital a friend from Prince Alfred had come to as matron a few years before. She had married and there was now a new matron. The medical officer in charge took us round the hospital, and afterwards Mrs. Neill took me to see the chairman.
One of the duties of the inspector was to meet the chairman or some members of the Boards, and point out any special notes taken when visiting the hospitals.
Our tour in these parts lasted about a week, and we then returned for a few days to the office, where I was again initiated into my future work. Examinations were pending, of nurses, and of some of the untrained midwives,
The State examination of the nurses in the various training schools was to take place in December, so it was necessary to send out forms of application and to arrange all the necessary detail. Certain doctors were chosen to set the medical and surgical papers, and these were to be printed and ready for despatch at the last day. Examiners for the practical and oral examination were appointed and centres arranged, so my first few weeks in office were very busy ones.
All this arranged, we left to visit the hospitals in the
At Dunedin there was a State maternity hospital, which had been in existence a little over a year. Mrs. Neill was specially interested in this place, having, of course, both selected it and selected the matron, Miss Holford, who was personally appointed by Mr. Seddon after enquiry by him as to whether she knew any members of Parliament to push her claim. On her saying “No,” to his enquiry, he said, “You are appointed.” There were twenty other applicants, all of whom had backing by some more or less influential personage, and worrying him.
Miss Holford, who had been trained in New Plymouth Hospital, and taken her midwifery course in Sydney, pleased him by her independent attitude.
Unfortunately, as was the case in Wellington, an existing house had been purchased and adapted as a hospital,
The Dunedin Hospital was in many ways the best I had so far seen in New Zealand, though it had been established in an old exhibition building which formed the central block round which wards had been added. Miss Fraser was the matron, an old Edinburgh Hospital sister.
From here we went on to Invercargill and Riverton, where there were small hospitals. The institutions connected with these southern hospitals we had not time to visit, and I was to return for a more complete tour of inspection, when under the new Private Hospitals' Act, I would have the various private institutions and little maternity homes to visit; I would also have the Mental Hospital at Seacliff to see.
After returning to Wellington, we set forth for Mrs. Neill's final visit to Auckland, from whence she was embarking for the United States to join her son.
We then went to the
While in Auckland, we went to the Mental Hospital, Avondale, some miles out, a large place set in the midst of a big area of land, gardens and farm. This was the third of the mental hospitals I had seen, as Mrs. Neill had taken me to Mount View, at Wellington, and introduced me to Dr. Crosby, the superintendent, and also we had gone to Porirua, some twelve miles out from Wellington.
Porirua was a large place, but Avondale was larger, and took about 1,000 patients. I cannot here go into a description of these places, they are grim and forbidding at the best, and at that distant period were very different from what they now are, with better classification of patients, and with provision for comfortable home-like houses for those who voluntarily submit themselves for treatment and for the better behaved patients, better means of recreation and more chance of study of individuals.
Hamilton was another town we visited when Mrs. Neill introduced me to Dr. Douglas, and the matron, Miss Roth-well. A funny little place it was then, but rebuilding was soon to start, and the Waikato Hospital is now one of the finest in the Dominion.
Then we returned to Auckland and with great regret I saw Mrs. Neill off on her boat. During the time we had spent together we had learnt to esteem each other, and the friendship thus formed lasted till Mrs. Neill's death, some years after returning from America and again taking up her residence in Wellington. The close of her life was sad, as she became a helpless invalid from rheumatoid arthritis.
After Mrs. Neill's departure it was necessary for me to arrange for the appointment of an assistant. Mrs. Neill
Unfortunately, just after I returned to the office after seeing Mrs. Neill off to America, Miss Webb became very ill, and was obliged to give up work. I was very sorry, as she was a capable woman and we were getting on well together. It was then arranged that her sister, not a nurse, should come and act as clerk until Miss Harkness was ready. I regret to say that Miss Mary Webb did not long survive. Just as Miss Harkness finished her career at St. Helens, and passing the examination for midwives, became registered, another set-back occurred. She was persuaded by the doctors at Nelson, where she had previously conducted a private hospital, to give up the Government appointment and carry on her private hospital. Therefore it was necessary for me to find a substitute, and with so little knowledge of nurses in New Zealand as I then possessed, this was not an easy task.
Mrs. Neill had mentioned to me a nurse whom she considered would be suitable for appointment to one of the St. Helens hospitals, so I determined to see her, and when in the South Island I was about to visit Oamaru, where she lived, I telegraphed to her to meet me at the hotel. This was
We worked together in accord and saw the many changes in the department. As work grew, more assistant inspectors were needed, and gradually our staff of nurse inspectors grew also. I refer elsewhere to the appointment of Miss Bagley, who was the next addition and stationed at Auckland office. For a number of years Miss Bicknell and Miss Bagley were the only nurse assistants who were in the department, and Dr. Valintine and myself the only Inspectors of Public Health, and perhaps the years when this was so were happier and more harmonious than when our numbers increased.
I believe New Zealand was the first country to adopt the system of inspection by qualified nurses, with a nurse at the head of a sub-department, as she was the first to have a system of registration of nurses under a special Act of Parliament. Now, in many other countries, there are nurses appointed to carry on similar work.
Here I think it would be well to give a little resume of the hospital system in New Zealand, the training of nurses, and the history of the early hospitals, so far as I can do so mainly from recollection.
The hospital system is laid down by Act of Parliament and the finance is based on rates raised in the various districts and subsidised by the Government. The Government, on account of the payment of subsidy, the amount of which has varied from time to time, to the rates collected, the donations and subscriptions, possesses a share of responsibility in the management of the hospitals. It is laid down by Act of Parliament what authority the Government by its
The whole Dominion is partitioned off into districts in which one or more hospitals are established, and to
The system of charitable aid for the poor is incorporated with the hospital system, the Boards being charged with the dispensing of relief in their districts from the funds collected by rates and subsidised by the Consolidated Fund; many of the Boards have old people's homes connected with, but not part of, the hospital. During the years of economic depression with much unemployment the dispensing of relief has been found too great a burden on the Boards, and they are now relieved of all but sick poor.
During the time I have been in New Zealand, there have been several amendments of the original Acts, and entirely new Acts for the administration of public health and hospitals. The last, brought in by Dr. Valintine in 1923, is considered by many authorities to be the best system for hospital administration in existence—New Zealand being a newly settled and small country is able to try out many things which, in an old country with many vested interests, would be impossible.
Although in the early part of my time in New Zealand I had a good deal to do with the inspection of charitable institutions other than hospitals, with enquiry into outside relief, with visiting homes for boarded-out children, and so on, much of which is now conducted by other departments, my chief interest was in the hospitals, and especially the training schools for nurses. I soon became acquainted with the matrons of the hospitals who, I found, were very ready to welcome visits of inspection, and, with few exceptions, I found that they were doing conscientious work, sometimes under difficult conditions. They were
I took an interest in the early history of the hospitals, and in 1910 was asked to write a short history of Nursing in New Zealand for the History of Nursing from the Earliest Times, by Miss Dock, who, with Miss Nutting, was the authoress of a most delightful and interesting book. This book brings up the story of nursing from centuries b.c. to the present time, and should be read by all nurses. In the fourth volume, to which I contributed the chapter on New Zealand, “Nursing in New Continents” is dealt with.
I endeavoured to get some particulars of the commencement of hospitals in New Zealand, but found it rather difficult to obtain authentic details. However, it may be interesting here to give a little of what I learnt.
In the beginning, when the Provincial Governments found it necessary to provide some hospital accommodation for the people, there was no system of nursing and no trained nurses. At that time, about 1850, the first hospital was established at Auckland, Auckland then being the seat of Government for the North Island. A lovely site was chosen and the present fine hospital is there. A very small building was erected with about ten beds for each sex. There were a master and matron, but no qualified nurse. At first it was a Government hospital, but in 1883, was placed under a committee partly elected by the subscribers. By that time there were hospitals in other parts of the islands, and a Government inspector was appointed to supervise all hospitals. Dr. Grabham's old reports are very interesting and are quoted in the History of Nursing.
To resume about
At last a trained nurse was appointed as superintendent and the real nursing of the patients commenced, a great change from the early days, when aged inmates were placed in charge of the primitive wards and expected to take care of the sick.
Miss Crisp was the first matron, she was trained at Netley and had seen active service in Egypt. On her appointment Dr. Mackellar advised a staff of female nurses for men as well as women, and five years later, the training school for nurses was established. The hospital then had about 100 beds. It has now 600.
At one time there was a maternity ward at the Auckland Hospital, when nurses were instructed in maternity work, but this was discontinued when the St. Helens hospitals were started.
Later matrons were Miss Squire, Mrs. Wootten, (whom some of the present generation of nurses will remember), Miss Peiper, who served in the South African War, and on her return was matron of St. Helens Hospital. She left
In Wellington a small hospital was established in Pipitea Street in 1846, but was later moved to the position it now occupies at Newtown. Wellington has the honour of being the first training school for nurses. In 1883 the old type of untrained nurse was supplanted by “probationers, drawn from a higher order of society,” under Miss Moore, the Lady Superintendent.
After Miss Moore came Miss Godfrey, who trained under Miss Moore, then Miss Payne, and under these ladies many of our best matrons and leading nurses took their course. Dr. John Ewart, who was medical superintendent for twenty years to 1908, was very keen on the training of nurses, and did much to establish a high standard. Though not opposed, as some of the hospital authorities were, to the State examination and registration of nurses, he was a little jealous of it, and would not hold the final hospital examination till after the final State examination was over, so that he could see the questions set, and have a somewhat higher standard for his own candidates. This was rather unfortunate, as sometimes a nurse would pass her State examination and be registered, and yet fail to obtain her hospital certificate. Sometimes, however the boot was on the other leg.
Now this is altered, and the hospital final certificate must be produced before a candidate can sit for her State examination.
The Wellington Hospital was the first to initiate the eight hour day system. In 1898, Dr. Kenny organised this somewhat on the lines of engineer's hours on board ship, and more or less it has been carried on since then, and extended to other hospitals. In a way it works out fairly equitably, but has never been very rigidly adhered to. By a provision in the Hospital and Charitable Aid
No doubt by initiating some limit to the working hours of nursing, which in other countries has in the past almost amounted to slavery, Dr. Kenny did good to New Zealand nurses, though I have never really approved of the division of time as practised here, especially that which allows of the nurses not commencing their duty till late in the day, when the temptation of being free and going out for the morning, sends them on duty already fatigued, and with the freshness of the night's rest already dispersed. Work first and play afterwards has always been my motto, and I feel sure that it is the natural thing to start the main duty of the day, before any amusement, otherwise the duty of nursing the sick becomes not so much the main object of a nurse's life as it should be.
The Christchurch Hospital was first built in 1862, and was carried on with a house steward, and housekeeper, some women nurses, not trained, but probably of higher class than the servants, and who treated the patients kindly. The building was a picturesque old gabled two-story erection, in wood, dark and ill-ventilated, and full of odd corners and corridors. The top stories for many years were used as lumber rooms, but had to be hurriedly put into action as wards again, when fire destroyed two more modern wards.
In 1885, the first trained matron was appointed; she was called trained, but had been only six months in a London hospital; this was Miss Palin. There were then 80 beds. In 1887, an attempt was made to train nurses, and the chairman offered a gold medal to the first nurse
Two years later “the nursing system, one of the most essential features of hospital management,” the report says, “is well organised.”
Miss Maude, so well known for her great work in district nursing in Christchurch, was the matron in 1894, but subsequently resigned. Miss Ewart, who was trained in Belfast, succeeded her, and under her the school progressed, turning out many fine nurses. Miss Ewart, a little woman, who was an excellent nurse herself, set the example to her probationers, and was much loved and respected. She died in her old hospital in 1930. She was nursed by one of her old nurses.
She was matron for fourteen years, and was succeeded by Miss Thurston, a Wellington trained nurse, who was then matron of Greymouth Hospital.
The Christchurch Hospital is now a very fine hospital, with well-built, up-to-date wards, and theatre, and a beautiful nurses' home. Miss Thurston remained there, initiated many improvements, and largely helped in raising funds for a children's ward, a very beautiful building, until during the Great War, she went to England and was first matron of the War Contingent Hospital, and then Matron-in-chief of the Expeditionary Force, gaining her Royal Red Cross, and her British Empire Medal.
The Dunedin Hospital, although smaller than those in the other centres, is perhaps the most important, having the medical school of the Dominion.
The first building was in the middle of the town.
At first the hospital erected was ahead of its time and for over two years not one of its beds was occupied. Then it was used as a hospital for insane, as well as sick, but gradually the sick predominated.
It was after the discovery of gold fields in Otago, in 1861, when immigrants were poured into Dunedin in ship-loads, that there was much demand for hospital accommodation.
The training of nurses was started in 1888, when lectures were given by the honorary staff, and an examination held at the end of twelve months. At this time the matron, Miss Burton, an estimable elderly dame, was quite untrained. When the question of giving lectures to the nurses arose, she said, “What do they want with lectures? I'll lecture them!” A very amusing article describing her experiences was written for Kai Tiaki by the first probationer in training.
Nurses at first were only placed in the women's wards. The first trained matron was Miss Edith Maw, who came from England in 1892, but she only remained a year, and in 1893,
Miss Fraser was in office twenty years, and made many improvements; after her retirement, there were three matrons, two trained in the Old Country, and one at Dunedin. The fourth, now in office, is Miss Tennent, a
This is not a history of the hospitals of New Zealand, though in the course of my recollections various phases of their history will no doubt be touched upon. I must pass on to other phases of my work.
I mentioned above that shortly after I joined the department, the Inspector-General, Dr. Macgregor died. His death was sudden after a short illness, but the plans which he had unfolded to me after my appointment, must have been laid before the Government; very shortly the department was split into two; Dr. Valintine was made Inspector-General of Hospitals and Charitable Aid with me as Assistant Inspector, while the late Dr. Hay was made Inspector-General of Mental Hospitals. At that time there were nine mental hospitals entirely administered by the Government, with no boards or committees. They were maintained by the State, with the aid of payments by the patients. When the division came about I was relieved from the Mental Hospital work, but shortly after was invited to resume my work under Dr. Hay, and so with a short interruption, I continued visiting the mental hospitals, thus serving with two departments.
When in Dunedin on my second visit after Mrs. Neill's departure, I went out to Seacliff, a large mental hospital about an hour's journey from Dunedin. I found my visit was a surprise, as notification had not been sent of my re-appointment.
I can never forget my first meeting with Dr. Truby King. It was in the matron's room, where he had come to meet me. Here I sat and listened to a long dissertation on the training of nurses, while he paced like an angry
I was often regretful that I could not go wholeheartedly into his scheme for baby welfare. Excellent as it was and good work as it undoubtedly has done, I have felt that he has arrogated to it the whole credit for the decrease of infant mortality, whereas it should be shared very largely by the State maternity hospitals, which trained midwives and instructed mothers in the care of their infants; and the Health Department which, by its dairy inspection, had ensured a supply of good milk, and by its sanitary inspectors, clean and healthy towns. I have felt also that the work of the Plunket nurses, already trained as nurses or midwives before taking their special
Financially, it seemed wrong to me that the services of these nurses should be given free to all classes of the community, and that those able to pay should not have contributed to the upkeep of the nurses.
The Plunket nurse system is known throughout the world and to Dr. King must be given the honour of drawing special attention to the problem of infant mortality and the means of prevention.
I have written a good deal about the general hospitals of the Dominion. The mental hospitals, especially those in or near to the chief towns, were large buildings set in extensive grounds, the cultivation of the gardens and farms being an occupation for many of the patients. They had the usual large dormitories, and recreation rooms, and courtyards set apart for different grades of patients. When I first became connected with this department, the question of a better classification of patients was being discussed, and during the years to follow, many improvements were made. Buildings for voluntary patients, some on the villa system, were put up, and an endeavour made to separate chronic patients from those who had a prospect of cure.
The patients were on the whole kindly treated, the female wards were under women, the male under male attendants, but of late years, women nurses have been placed in many of the male wards, and it has been found that the patients respond better to their influence, and are more obedient and quiet.
A system of training similar to that given under the Medico Psychological Society in England was started, and
One of my duties was, twice a year to conduct the oral and practical examination in nursing of these candidates at the various hospitals. This was a duty I did not enjoy, as I felt that the candidates had little opportunity to acquire much experience in nursing, some were not able to spend any time in the sick wards in which there were few patients. I felt that promotion in their own special work should be given entirely without reference to their being able to pass even a simple examination in work in which they could get so little practical experience. Occasionally I found, especially among the women candidates who, during an epidemic of typhoid fever, or during a season when bronchitis or pneumonia was prevalent, had some opportunity, some who had quite a fair knowledge of nursing, but this was necessarily confined to a few.
Not very long after the division of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Department another change impended; owing to financial stress. A Department of Health, the first, I believe, in the world, at all events the first in the British Empire, had been instituted by the Government some years before. There was a chief health officer, several medical officers of health, stationed in the chief towns, and sanitary inspectors attached to the different centres. Dr. Mason was the chief Health Officer. Under this officer, came the sanatoria for T.B. patients, and all general health matters, such as pure milk supply, sanitation of the towns, etc.
For economic reasons it was decided to amalgamate this department with that of Hospitals and Charitable Aids, and the question then was to which of the heads of these departments would the dual position be given. Dr. Mason, or Dr. Valintine who had been second in command of the
I remember the anxiety with which I awaited the decision. I knew Dr. Valintine, and was working under him most happily, and was anxious to remain under him.
I was away in Auckland at the time, and used to hear from him constantly, and when he sent word that he had been selected, it was with joy that I received the news.
I think, for the years when I was Dr. Valintine's only assistant inspector, and we divided the work of inspecting,
Dr. Valintine was a man of great ideas, and developed the health work of the Dominion tremendously. He worked out schemes for hospital management and for the provision of funds, and from time to time got amendments of Acts of Parliament passed, or new Acts to facilitate their working, and to give power to the Government, which provided so much of the necessary funds, to control, or partly control expenditure.
His genial temperament endeared him to his staff, and they were always ready to stand by him. He had great influence over the hospital boards, and could sway a meeting to his opinion when it seemed hopeless. He was, in fact, a very forceful personality—naturally with such a personality there were times when political control irked him immensely, and I remember many times when he had encounters with the different ministers of health which not always meant victory to the highest authority! He used to come back from an encounter and tell us all about it with a school-boy glee. Afterwards, I used to remonstrate with him, and beg him to be more careful.
Another personality we had in the department was Dr. Frengley, an Irishman whose sense of humour was a constant joy. One of the ugliest men I have ever seen, we all loved Dr. Frengley, and deeply regretted his early death. At one time Dr. Valintine was in very bad health, and Dr. Frengley really was in charge of the department; we always felt that things were safe in his charge, and that if we were in any difficulty or needed advice, we could go to him, and his help was ready.
Another personality was Dr. Makgill, a man of brilliant intellect and very delightful, though rather shy and retiring outside his own circle. He was a great friend of Dr. Valintine's, and helped him in every project. We always felt that Dr. Makgill was one on whom we could depend for excellent advice. He was stationed at Auckland, but frequently came to Wellington, and usually had a great deal to do with drafting new Bills. One of my last occupations with him before my retirement, was going over the provisions of a new Act for nurses' registration, under which a board was to act, and in which the registration of midwives was incorporated in a separate part. This was not passed until after my retirement.
He had a very keen sense of humour, and often amused us extremely by rather youthful jokes and pranks.
I have mentioned that the
The Right Honourable Mr. Seddon, the founder of the institutions, was on his way from Sydney to prepare the opening ceremony of the Auckland one, when he died. All these institutions were opened in existing buildings, private houses adapted to the work. This, as I have said before, is never satisfactory.
The Wellington one was long since abandoned, and a new building erected. Dunedin St. Helens still exists in the old building, a good deal altered, but a large maternity hospital is now to be built there in connection with the Medical School.
In Auckland, the old hospital is now the Nurses' Home, and a new hospital was erected about ten years ago. One of my first duties in connection with the St. Helens was the furnishing and opening of the Christchurch one. Here a building had been purchased, that had been a small hotel, at the corner of Durham Street. Alterations to adapt it as a hospital were already in hand, and, regret it as I did, there was nothing more to be done. The idea at that time was to treat these places more as maternity homes than as
While the Christchurch place was being altered the matron, who had already been appointed and who, curiously enough was the very Edinburgh nurse I had met and been introduced to at the Infimary during my trip abroad in 1904,
For some time the four St. Helens were the only State maternity hospitals and training schools for midwives,
When the new hospital of forty or fifty beds is built, it is probable that this one, the Batchelor Hospital, and perhaps St. Helens also, will be closed.
The next maternity hospital to be opened was in Gisborne when a commitee of ladies, headed by Mrs. Townley, with the approval of the Government, established the Townley Maternity Hospital of six beds. This was later on handed over to the
The sixth St. Helens Hospital was opened after the war, in Invercargill. A fine old home standing in extensive grounds, was offered by its owner as a gift. It was quite I thought, the best of any of the old buildings, and could be adapted very satisfactorily for about ten patients. So plans were made for certain additions, and when ready, Miss Stubbs, an ex-army sister, appointed matron, and went down with me to see about the furnishings. As funds amounting to £1,000 had been subscribed by the Invercargill people, I thought it was only fair to make our purchases there, and this we did, dividing our patronage between members of the leading tradespeople, who took the greatest interest in helping us, and giving good prices from our point of view.
The question of appointing a medical officer had to be postponed. Owing to the war, there were not many men available, and there was some opposition on the part of those in Invercargill to having a St. Helens Hospital there at all.
This had been the case in other centres, but had been overcome after the medical men realised that the
During the early years of my office, it was one of my duties to recommend the appointments of the medical
A fourth medical officer had been appointed for Christ-church, Dr. Alice Moorehouse, who carried on until her marriage, and then I was asked to make a recommendation for her successor. We preferred, if possible, to have a woman doctor, but on account of his outstanding ability, recommended Dr. William Irving, a well known and highly esteemed doctor, and a woman was added to the staff as assistant. Dr. Irving was beloved by the patients and the staff, and undoubtedly contributed very largely to the success of Christchurch St. Helens. After he gave up the charge of St. Helens, owing to strain of other work, he remained as consultant. There have, however, been more changes of staff, both nursing and medical, at Christchurch St. Helens than at any of the other St. Helens.
At Wellington, I had to undertake a delicate task; the department decided to place a woman doctor in charge, and I had to interview the medical officer, and gently intimate to him the proposed change.
There was still another State maternity hospital to be established; after the war, a building at Wanganui had been offered to the
It was decided after this, that the Government would not establish any more maternity hospitals. The policy of Dr. Valintine was for the hospital boards to provide accommodation for all classes of cases, and they were urged to build maternity annexes, or separate hospitals to be run in connection with their general hospitals—a great many have done this, and there is fair provision, almost all over the Dominion, for those who cannot afford private fees.
The Wairau Maternity Hospital, the McHardy Home, Napier (which was badly damaged during the earthquake in 1931), are examples of places like the first
At Hastings, a memorial hospital was established to the soldiers who fell in the war. It is mainly for maternity cases, with a few beds for emergency cases of accident or illness while waiting to be sent to the Napier Hospital.
In the North Canterbury districts there are twelve cottage hospitals which are mainly maternity hospitals, though a few medical and surgical cases are taken.
At one time these hospitals were allowed to train mid-wives, but this was not satisfactory and if allowed to train at all, it is only maternity nurses. At the present time, it is only the principal St. Helens hospitals that can train midwives. The regulations under the Nurses' and Mid-wives' Registration Act have been altered from time to time and are too complicated to go into here. Much indignation was expressed by hospital boards at the restrictions placed upon them, but the Registration Board has been firm, and determined to uphold a good standard for midwives as well as a fair one for maternity nurses, who will not have the same responsibility.—Midwives are trained to be able to assume full charge of a confinement in which there are no complications or abnormal conditions and are required only to send for a medical practitioner when needed. Maternity nurses are not allowed to work except under a medical practitioner.
As the standard set here improved, difficulties arose over the registration of overseas midwives, and it was found that it would not be just to our own to grant registration even to holders of the C.M.B. certificate. We used to allow some of these to make up the time in one of our own hospitals and sit for the State examination. (At the present time negotiations regarding reciprocity with the Central Midwives' Board are going on). Quite a number of women could not be registered at all, and I remember an amusing incident when a certain woman who had been refused made use of the right of appeal in the Act, to a magistrate against the decision of the Registrar. The appeal, I was afterwards informed, was actually
Much to my amusement, a short time after this woman's name was entered, I received a letter of complaint from her that unregistered women were being employed, and that she, a registered midwife, was passed over. I replied, regretting that the mere placing of a name on the register did not guarantee that the public would employ anyone whose work did not give satisfaction.
Buried in oblivion in the files of the department, are many incidents in connection with the St. Helens hospitals which, if they could be unearthed, would be a real fund of amusement. I would love to peruse some of these old documents.
St. Helens Hospital, Auckland, was the target of much adverse criticism from a very extraordinary woman. Her name became a household word in the department for communications from her containing complaints were constantly received. She did not, of course, dream of addressing herself to anyone other than the Minister of the Department, and would have been highly indignant if she had realised that it was my humble pen which framed the replies!
She made herself the spokeswoman of the waterside workers, the wives of men engaged in that work forming the majority of cases received in hospital, or attended outside. I believe when the St. Helens was first started, she was greatly in favour of the project, and her indignation
The Commission was held in Auckland and I was there for several weeks, each complaint was separately gone into, and triumphantly refuted. I sat beside the lawyer conducting our case, and was able to prompt him in his examination of witnesses as only one who thoroughly understood the situation could do. Mrs.—conducted her own case, and it was with considerable amusement that her cross examination was listened to. I was in the witness box for about an hour, and vividly remember one of her questions: “What becomes of the money subscribed for Kai Tiaki, into whose pocket does it go?” (
The report made recommendation for the improvement of the hospital, the need of which we were already aware, but hampered by lack of money.
After this defeat, Mrs.—subsided, and we heard no more of her for quite a long time.
When I first came to New Zealand, there was no organisation among the nurses themselves, and the nurses of the North Island knew nothing of the nurses of the
In Wellington, a number of private nurses were combined together under Mrs. Holgate, who had a private hospital, and who started a bureau of trained nurses for the convenience of the doctors, and the public. She started a small residential club, and this developed into an association of private nurses. Mrs. Kendall, R.R.C., a St. Bartholomew nurse, whose husband was practising in Wellington, was elected president. Mrs. Kendall was a distinguished nurse who was one of the first body of nurses sent to India under Miss Loch during some of the Frontier toubles. She was awarded the Royal Red Cross, which had been instituted by Queen Victoria, for services under fire. She was very retiring, but had much quiet wisdom, and was an inspiration to nurses who were fortunate enough to know her. She had a family of three children, but found time to devote to the affairs of the little association.
After I arrived fresh from Australia, where the Trained Nurses' Association was a very important body, I thought
Of course, having State registration which carries out the most important functions of the Australian association, the regulation of training, and a uniform system of examination, and provides a list of registered qualified nurses, any association in New Zealand would be of a different character; but to give opportunity for the discussion of matters affecting the profession, and for the meeting of leading nurses and the exchange of their views, there would be quite enough of interest and value to encourage the formation of an association.
Wellington was the first to open the little association of private nurses to those belonging to hospital staffs, and to those not practising, owing to marriage or other reasons. A committee was elected, Mrs. Kendall still being president, and a large residential club was established with a matron to manage it, and a bureau from which calls for nurses could be supplied.
Dunedin was the next to start a similar association and bureau, but no residence. I travelled here, and to Auckland and Christchurch, where also the local nurses had banded together, and urged that the four associations should be affiliated in one common New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association, with uniform aims and objects and similar rules. This was accomplished and a central council was elected in 1909, composed of four members from each centre and I was elected president. Mrs. Neill was first proposed, but was not able to accept. My assistant, Miss Bicknell, was appointed hon. secretary.
At first a triennial conference was arranged for, to be held in each centre in turn, and a great interest was taken in these meetings; unity among the nurses was promoted, and interest in the developments in professional work was
I must not forget to mention the great assistance and encouragement given by the doctors on the establishment of the association: in each centre, they served on the councils as medical members, and gave help ungrudgingly.
Dr. William Young, of Wellington, was on the Central Council until, when we desired to affiliate with the International Council of Nurses, the rule of which was strict self-government, by nurses themselves, he retired. He still remained on the local council, but after a while that was not allowed under the International Council rules, and he could then only be connected with the association in an advisory capacity.
Naturally, as the association grew out of infancy, the nurse members were able to take the full control that the medical men shared at first.
After the affiliation and formation of the Central Council, the next step was to become part of the world wide organisation of nurses known as the International Council. As I have already mentioned, Mrs. Grace Neill was one of the foundation members.
Unfortunately our amalgamation into the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association was too late for our acceptance into the International Council in 1909, when the quinquennial meeting was to be held in London in July, we were, however, represented at this conference by Miss Palmer of the Wellington branch, and by Miss Maude, of the Christchurch branch; a letter was sent me by Miss Dock, the Honorary Secretary of the International Council, and the co-author of that delightful book The History of Nursing, a copy of which she had kindly presented to the Wellington branch in 1908, saying “How
The Central Council of the association met for the first time on the 18th November, 1909, in the Nurses' Club, Willis Street, Wellington, each of the four branches being represented by delegates from all the centres.
As president, I was in the chair, Mrs. Kendall, and Miss Bicknell, Mrs. Gibbs, Miss Berry, Dr. Young, represented Wellington; Mrs. Kidd and Miss Meleta Jones Auckland; Mrs. Irving, Miss Turner and Miss Beck, Christchurch; Dr. Will and Miss Jeffrey, Dunedin.
Quite a long account of this meeting given in the January, 1910, number of Kai Tiaki, shows the interest taken in the new association, and the pleasure that the delegates had in meeting each other. Interspersed with business there were social gatherings at which all members of the association and many of their friends were present. I gave an afternoon tea at the Kelburn Kiosk, the matron of the
Seeing the old picture of the delegates in Kai Tiaki is really amusing; how much more sensible are our present fashions!
We also had a dinner party at the Hotel Windsor, and it is interesting to read the speeches, and recall those who, at that time, took so keen an interest in the Nurses' Association.
Since that meeting we have had many: for some years they were triennial, but now they are annual. I remained President for six years, but then resigned and a president
One of the first important steps taken by the Associaation was to protest against a clause in a Hospital Bill then before the House, which would have made compulsory an eight hour day for all nurses in hospitals, private as well as public. This protest succeeded in limiting the legislation to uncertified nurses in training and really left matters practically as they were.
In the October number of Kai Tiaki, we can read all about the International Congress of Nurses at Cologne, at which the New Zealand Association was accepted into membership.
We were fortunate in having three well known and leading nurses as representatives from New Zealand, Miss Jeanie Sutherland, now alas departed, Mrs. Holgate, who has also joined the great majority, and Miss Beswick, were our delegates.
Miss Sutherland replied to the address of welcome, and received a beautiful bouquet of lilies.
We were welcomed into membership to the sound of the National Anthem. Miss Sutherland's report of the Congress is published in Kai Tiaki, and is most interesting.
Since this meeting, we have been represented at several others, Miss Bicknell at Copenhagen in 1923, Montreal, 1929, Miss Moore at Helsingfors in 1925. I was about to attend a meeting in America in 1915, but the War broke out, and everything of that nature was cancelled, and I have never had the pleasure and privilege of being present at any of these great gatherings.
This is not a history of the Association, but only of my part of its formation, and the details of its progress,
Nurses' Journal, cannot be entered into here. From the four centres, many branches have sprung, and throughout the Dominion, great interest is manifested in it by the nurses, though still many remain outside.
Mention must not be omitted in this record, although it was after my retirement, and during my absence in Sydney, of the formation of a matrons' council.
This was organised by the late Miss Stott, Matron of Wellington Hospital in 1904, and the proposal was welcomed with enthusiasm by many of the matrons. A very successful meeting was held at the
The second meeting of the Matrons' Council I was glad to be able to attend.
An outcome of the Association with which I have been very intimately concerned for 25 years, has been Kai Tiaki, the Nurses' Journal. Coming, as I did from Australia, where two nursing papers were flourishing, I quickly saw the need of some medium of communication in New Zealand.
Before the united association was formed, and when the Wellington private nurses' Association was practically the only organisation of nurses, a dinner party was held for nurses and their friends in July, 1907, at which about 100 women attended. I was present as a guest, and after dinner, while proposing the health of the committee, suggested that a journal for nurses should be started, and offered to act as editor. The proposal was enthusiastically received, so I immediately set to work communicating with the matrons of the chief hospitals, and nurses in the different centres, asking them to become subscribers. A good response was received. I had the assistance of a young man, member of a firm of publishers, in making arrangements for printing and distribution, and in January, 1908, the first quarterly number appeared.
Very soon exchanges were invited by journals in different countries. The A.T.N.A., Una, British Journal of Nursing, The Nursing Times, The American Journal,
La Garde Malade, The Canadian Nursing Journal, and others.
Some of these journals, for instance the British Journal of Nursing, and the American Journal, were already procured by the Department of Hospitals for use by the nursing section.
I had many encouraging letters of appreciation during the early years of Kai Tiaki. The name of the journal means “The Watcher, the Guardian,” and is Maori. The original form was designed by Dr. Hay, my chief of the Mental Hospitals Department, who took great interest in my enterprise. It was a grey paper cover with a white lettering and a white Maltese Cross in one corner. It is now a lighter, more fawn colour, with black lettering and the Nurses' Registration Badge in colour. Possibly this was rather an expensive cover, but certainly made the little paper look attractive on the outside, whatever it might be inside!
I was, of course, obliged to obtain the approval of my chief and the Minister of Hospitals, before I could undertake the editorship of this paper, although I intended it to be an occupation for my leisure hours; approval was granted provided no expense to the Government was involved. Thus I took upon myself the financial responsibility for Kai Tiaki. As a Government official, I did not design to benefit myself, and indeed did not expect for a long time at any rate, that subscriptions would more than cover the expenses.
However, during the years that I acted as honorary editor, I was able to pay over to the Nurses' Memorial Fund, any surplus which accumulated from time to time, and to come out without loss at the end.
Many evenings I spent, sometimes with help from the nurses, in writing addresses and wrapping journals for despatch. One evening I was thus engaged in my office in the old Government buildings, no one as far as I knew in that great empty place, when I felt my first earthquake. It was quite a good shake and for a few minutes I was much alarmed.
We had to be very careful of extra expense in our early years.
With regard to the literary side of the paper, I was fortunate in getting contributions from doctors and nurses on interesting subjects; and looking back now through the old bound numbers, it is wonderful how full of interest they are.
During the year of the Great War especially, letters from nurses at the Front, (published sometimes rather to the writer's dismay), give quite a history of our service in that time.
For twenty-three years, the journal could only, on account of expense, be published quarterly, but two years ago it was decided to raise the subscription and publish it two-monthly; as a matter of fact, it was impossible in a quarterly issue, to keep up the interest and record all that was desirable. Long ere this I had given up my ownership of the journal, which, when I retired from the Government service in 1923, the Nurses' Association purchased from me and requested me to continue as editor at a salary.
This is the history of Kai. Tiaki which I am proud to say, has taken a good place among the nursing journals of the world, and which has helped to link together the nurses of this Dominion.
Among my duties as Assistant Inspector of Hospitals, was to have knowledge of the suitability and otherwise, of aspirants for positions as matrons of hospitals. The only way I could gain this knowledge was in my visits of inspection, and sometimes of course, it was not very deep.
The Government, as it paid a large part of the cost of hospitals by its subsidies had a right to object to unsuitable appointments and could hold up an appointment for three weeks, in order to give the boards time for consideration, but they were very jealous of any interference. It is only in later years that legislation by hospital Acts, and by the amended Nurses' Registration Act, has given power to the
I remember when a certain Hospital Board appointed a matron whom the Department considered unsuitable. I was sent up by Dr. Valintine to give the members of the board the reason for the department's disapproval of the appointment. It was not altogether an agreeable errand, for my appearance seemed to be regarded as interference with the privileges of the board, and to be resented
Another instance occurred when a certain hospital appointed a matron, not a New Zealand nurse, of whom it happened I knew something, and considered would not be suitable. At that time the department had not the power of stopping the appointment and we could not interfere, but as I expected, I was quickly called upon to go and investigate, and had to conduct an inquiry into this lady's dismissal of a nurse who was half through her training.
I considered the dismissal quite unjustified, and gave the matron a way of climbing down from the position she had taken up without loss of dignity. However, this was refused and another enquiry was held by my chief, who, I grieve to say, did not uphold me in the matter, and I was directed to find a place in another hospital for the dismissed nurse to finish her training. This I did, and the girl completed her course to the satisfaction of the new matron.
A short time later, during this matron's career, a complaint made by the father of a pupil nurse of the treatment of his daughter led to a Magisterial Commission of Enquiry being set up, and again I had to be present. For days in court, the enquiry went on, I remember the terrible heat! Dr. Valintine later came too. Into this enquiry the Medical Superintendent also came, and the issue seemed to lie between him and the matron, and at the end the Magistrate gave his verdict in favour of the matron. The Medical Superintendent resigned, I think. At this distance of time I cannot quite remember, but on
I sent Miss Bicknell, my assistant, temporarily. She was there for six weeks, and reported the utmost mismanagement and neglect on the part of the matron, who was a lady who appeared to have been given a fairly free hand until a new chairman of the board was elected.
This period of unrest in a hospital which is a training school for nurses is, of course, very bad for the student nurses, and the results in these two cases show the advantage to a hospital board in the selection of a matron, of advice from someone who may have more knowledge of applicants and their capabilities, than can possibly be learnt from testimonials.
Among other investigations which came in the course of my duties, was one into the nursing managements at the Evening Post of work which pupil nurses were expected to do and which were not considered suitable for young girls. I was commissioned by Dr. Valintine to conduct an enquiry, and this I did by interviewing sisters and pupil nurses in the matron's office, but not in her presence. I felt that they would not speak freely except to me alone. This excited indignation in the hospital authorities and they talked of a “Star Chamber Enquiry.” However, when my report, for which I was warmly
Another enquiry I had in Dunedin was also in connection with the complaints in the newspapers of the work of the nurses in hospital and of their treatment. I was engaged in this enquiry for several days, and found that much of the work of the junior nurses which was complained of was imposed by some of the sisters without the knowledge of the matron. Miss Fraser, the matron, was so distressed by the complaints and with a cruel insinuation that leave to visit dying relatives was denied to the nurses, that she resigned, although my report exonerated her entirely, and showed that the allegations against her were absolutely denied by the nurses, and that they were almost without exception, loyal to her and grieved at the discredit brought upon their training school.
The whole trouble had been brought about by a letter to a newspaper and by the action of a junior resident officer in the absence of the Medical Superintendent in allowing a reporter to go to a ward, and interview a sister there who made further complaints. She was suspended from duty pending enquiries by the board. I am pleased to record that after this lesson the sister proved a good nurse and did good service during the war.
The resignation of the matron was deeply deplored by both the board and the staff, she was asked to reconsider it. However, she was too deeply hurt and left the hospital three months later, being given a great send off, presentations by the citizens of Dunedin as well as by the Hospital Board and staff, past and present. A medal to commemorate her is presented by the board to special student nurses, called the Fraser Medal.
Many other instances I could quote of either being requested by Hospital Boards to make investigations or being sent by the Department to enquire into troubles.
At the time of the Dunedin enquiry I made the acquaintance of Otago Daily Times, and later the
The legislation for nurses provided for their being passed on from one board to another with continuity of policy, and if, after completing training, nurses left the hospital service, they could either continue payments themselves, and still have the Government contribution, or withdraw the portion contributed by themselves. Also if within eighteen months, they rejoined any hospital staff, their policy payments could be carried on by that hospital as if they had been continuously in the service. This surely appeared
It was hoped that in time some arrangement might be made by which private nurses might participate in these benefits, but there are many difficulties in the way. The Hon. Mark Cohen was trying to overcome some of these when his death occurred, but we must always remember his interest in nurses, and his help in obtaining what was gained.
Some 35 to 40 years ago the only outlook of a trained nurse after leaving hospital was private nursing. In New Zealand, owing to the fact that training schools for nurses were not commenced till 1883, it was long before there was a sufficient supply of qualified nurses to deal with the demand and people were perforce obliged to rely on the services of untrained women who thus obtained some little experience in sick nursing. It was surprising, that when the Nurses' Registration Act came into force, few of these women recognised that they, in view of their past experience, were eligible for registration during a concession period. Later on some of them realised what they had missed and each session for some years, a Bill was brought before Parliament for the registration of unregistered women. This was always referred to me for comment and I gave the reasons against it with the result that it was never passed, and gradually the effort was given up.
Unfortunately in New Zealand, as well as in other countries, the competition of unqualified women has always been a problem for the private nurse, and now that hospitals are so much more used by the general public, those able to pay fees as well as the sick poor, there is very little inducement for a nurse to enter this field.
For many years nurses of enterprise were able to start private hospitals, and did well with them, but now hospital equipment is so specialised and expensive that only a few of the larger private hospitals can maintain their existence. One of the earliest ones to be equipped on the standard then required, was started by Miss May Palmer in Wellington, another well-known hospital was Miss Tombes in Dunedin, Miss Thompson's, also in Dunedin, Miss Turner's, in Christchurch, and there were several in Auckland and in many of the country towns. Under legislation, these hospitals had to be owned by registered nurses or to have a registered nurse in charge of the nursing. A few doctors started nursing homes with registered nurses in charge. One of my duties was the periodical inspection of the established ones and the licensing of new ones, which had to comply with the requirements of the regulations. As time went on, my assistant nurse inspector carried out this work, and later more inspectors were appointed.
A great handicap to the nursing profession was the establishment of private hospitals run by Church organisations, mostly by the Roman Catholic Church. These were supported by private and public subscriptions and therefore had an unfair advantage over those owned by nurses who were dependent only on their own earnings. So gradually nurses are being forced out of this field of work. The requirements of hospitals of the present day are more than can be supplied by private enterprise unbacked by public support.
It is fortunate that other avenues have opened up for nurses in public health work in its various preventive aspects.
At the time I joined the Government service of New Zealand, there was no Army Nursing Service. In 1908, under the general regulations of the Defence Forces of New Zealand, a volunteer Army Nursing Service was proposed. Regulations concerning it were published in the gazette. It was to be classified as: (a) Matron-in-chief, (b) Matrons, (c) Sisters, (d) Staff Nurses, and under the direct control of the Director-General of Medical Services, was governed by the regulations of the Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service.
The appointment of a matron-in-chief was made. Mrs.
Mrs. Gillies as Nurse Janet Speed, had served in the South African War, when a small body of nurses was sent from New Zealand, and she had afterwards gone to Netley Hospital at her own expense, and taken a course in military nursing. She was an enthusiast and talked a great deal to me of the Princess Christian's Territorial Service in England, and would have liked the New Zealand Army Service to come under that organisation, but that did not seem to me to be very practical. While quite willing to assist her, I did not think that she, as a married woman and no longer connected with nursing, would be suitable as a matron-in-chief. Things dragged on, there was a
Dr. Valintine was, of course, keenly interested and made the offer, in connection with the Medical Service, that his officers would, without extra pay, and special uniform, or any other privileges, give any help necessary.
In connection with the Nursing Service, it was decided that the head of the nursing section of the
On my retirement Miss Bicknell took the place of matron-in-chief,
Later I will give the history of how we came to go to the war, and something of what our nurses did, but I am only now about 1912, and have much to write of my work before 1914.
Dr. Valintine, before taking up his Government appointment had been practising in the country, and well knew the difficulties of the far back settlers in case of illness or accidents. Near to his heart, was the establishment of a nursing service for these people; I fully sympathised with him in this, and was of course, prepared to help him.
Dr. Valintine outlined a scheme shortly as follows:—If in any part of a hospital district, the need of a nurse is felt, the settlers of the district who are already contributing to the hospital funds by the rates, have only to make an application to the board of the hospital, accompanied by a guarantee of a certain proportion—not more than half of the necessary salary and expense of a nurse—to have a nurse sent among them. Provisions had been made in the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1909, giving hospital boards power to devote their funds supplemented by the Government subsidy to providing nurses for the care of the sick outside their institutions. So settlers could have their share of some of the benefits for which they contribute their share, but are too far from the hospitals to make use of.
The first Hospital Board to appoint a nurse for their country district was one with which Dr. Valintine had been associated while a private practitioner, and was the New Plymouth Hospital Board.
The settlers of a little country place called Uruti made the necessary application and on the 14th August, 1909, Nurse Bilton, who was selected, commenced duty and immediately she arrived there she was sent for to attend a child with pneumonia.
She was attached to the staff of the New Plymouth Hospital, and the kindly matron, Miss Brown, told her she was to look upon the hospital as home, and when free to look upon the Nurses' Home as hers.
At this time a cottage was not provided for the nurse, who had lodgings in a home of a resident. Later on a nice little cottage was built with a room attached for an emergency case. Plenty of need for the nurse was soon manifested and she had long trips by coach, for cases of illness, which if they were serious she would bring into the District Hospital.
Thus was inaugurated the scheme of “back block nursing,” which now has extended throughout the Dominion. Few hospital boards there are which have not a district nurse to attend to their district cases, often a small cottage is provided with a bed or two for emergency cases. In the early times the nurse had many hardships to encounter, long lonely rides through the bush, rivers often to ford, outbreaks of typhoid for which camp hospitals had to be organised, and I fear she had little comfort when not at work. They were brave women who took these positions. I used to visit them when possible, but as a rule my office duties and hospital inspections did not allow of the time to go long journeys to see one nurse. Very welcome were visits from headquarters, and later on when more nurse inspectors were appointed to my staff, visits were more frequent. Also, as time went on roads improved, and more transport became possible which all
In the nurses' journal are many accounts of this back-block nursing.
Linked with this work, but more immediately under the department's control, was a system of nursing for the Maoris. Nurses were appointed by the Government and stationed in or near Maori settlements to nurse the natives when ill, and to instill into them some knowledge of hygiene and sanitation. The pahs were quite devoid of the latter, but it is wonderful what good work the nurses and also the sanitary inspectors of the department have accomplished. The natives had a great objection to hospitals and it was exceedingly hard to persuade them to send their people in, they would take them away to the bush and hide them if they expected a visit from the Native Health nurse, or from an inspector. It took years to overcome their fear or prejudice and outbreaks of infectious diseases such as typhoid, were common. Now, partly owing to innoculation, and partly to the better sanitation of the pahs, which need constant supervision, such outbreaks are almost unknown.
An assistant inspector was appointed to the Auckland district in 1908, and at the time, one of her chief duties was the supervision of the work of the Native Health Nurses and she was called “Superintendent of Native Health Nurses.” Nurse Amelia Bagley, who was trained at the
Later the work in the Auckland district grew so much that it was necessary to have an assistant.
Also connected with the Native Health Nursing was a system established before I joined the department, but in the development of which I had a great deal to do. This was the training of Maori girls as nurses with the view to their working among their own people. The plan was shortly, this:—In the schools established for native girls, any recommended as suitable by the head mistresses, and who wished to undertake the work of nursing, were sent for a year as day pupils to an adjacent hospital, the Education Department keeping them for this time and allowing them a small sum for books and clothes. Afterwards, if satisfactory and showing aptitude, they were taken into hospital to commence their regular training. Only a few hospitals were willing to co-operate in this scheme, and sometimes it was difficult to find vacancies for these girls.
The principal colleges for Maori girls were at Auckland and at Napier, so the hospitals in these towns took the day pupils and often carried on the whole training If no vacancy at these hospitals occurred, I had to try to place the girls at others. Wellington Hospital took a few, also Palmerston North, Invercargill, Waikato; and some very fine and capable nurses were turned out. They passed the same examination as the Pakeha girls. Nurse Akenei Hei, trained at Napier Hospital, who was an exceptional woman, and was doing fine work among her own people when she contracted typhoid from a nephew she was nursing, and died. She was a great loss to her race. I remember spending a day with her at Gisborne, when she drove me in her little buggy out to the home of a
is then covered over with mats held in place by stones and left to cook. A very tasty meal too!
Other Maori nurses were appointed to districts, at first under Pakeha nurses until they gained experience and proved themselves; later, as nurses in charge of their own districts. Some remained on the staff of their training schools and proved satisfactory; one I remember in charge of the operating theatre—a very responsible post.
On the whole, however, the young Maori women have not shown themselves keen to take up the profession of nursing, and after their general education, return to their homes and relapse into their old native ways. Many marry, and some of these have been very helpful to the health nurses, especially in times of epidemic.
There is no doubt the Maori nurses had more difficulty in establishing any influence over the natives than the Pakeha nurses, and it has not been possible to leave this work entirely to them.
While writing of district nursing in the country, I must not omit some mention of the work carried on for the sick poor in the cities. The St. John's Ambulance took a great part in providing some attendance on the sick who were not requiring admission to hospital, such as chronic cases, who could well be nursed in their homes. In Wellington for many years, an old English nurse, Mrs. Sexton, carried on this work, at first alone and later with an assistant, Mrs. Martin. Mrs. Sexton
In Dunedin there is a similar organisation, also in Auckland and in many of the towns a nurse is maintained either by St. John's or by the Hospital Board.
Only in Christchurch there is a departure from this system. A very active District Nurse Association was started in 1898 by Miss Maude, Matron of the Christ-church Hospital. She felt the call to nurse the sick poor and gave up her hospital appointment for this purpose, being assisted by Mrs. Heaton Rhodes who promised her £100 a year. Nurse Maude herself was for a time the only nurse. As the city grew and the sickness and poverty also grew, so did the little District Nursing Society. A committee was appointed and helped to raise funds. Some Government help was given by subsidies and the Hospital Board took on some responsibility, but through all it was always known as Nurse Maude's District Nursing Association. Nurse Maude herself resides at the headquarters in Madras Street and supervises a staff of nurses. Relief in food and clothing is given from this depot and very wisely the recipients of help are expected to pay some small sum for what they receive. A loss to the Society was the recent death of Lady Rhodes whose help and sympathy had encouraged Nurse Maude to start her great work. In connection with this also Nurse Maude had started a camp with shelters for tuberculosis patients, long since supplemented by the Cashmere Hills Sanatorium.
Not long after my arrival in New Zealand, a form of nursing was inaugurated which has become world-widely recognised—I cannot claim to have had any part in this, although in the course of my duties as a Government official, I had quite a lot of work in connection with it, and took a great interest in its development.
I refer to the Plunket Nurse organisation for baby welfare (which I mentioned in a previous paper), fathered by Doctor, now Sir Truby King; a man of great philanthropic ideas, he, when Medical Superintendent of the Seacliff Mental Hospital, was brought into contact with a pitiable case of neglect and illness of a little baby, caused by mal-nutrition and ignorance of the mother. His sympathies were aroused and, making enquiries, he found other cases in Dunedin, and quickly turned a seaside cottage of his own, at Karitane, near Dunedin, into a small hospital where he started with a nurse from the mental hospital, infant feeding on a scientific basis.
He had a very impressive personality, and force of persuasion, and he soon got a number of ladies interested in his project. Lady Plunket, the Governor's wife, and a woman, who, with a family of her own, was keenly interested in babies, became patroness of the new society, and allowed it to bear her name, and under that name it is known in many countries. Headed as it was by Lady Plunket, many society women in Dunedin formed the
There is a Director of Plunket Nursing, Miss Pattrick, who supervises the work generally, and who has 120 nurses under her control, excluding the staffs of the Karitane Hospitals.
I remember when, during the war, Miss Pattrick was on military service, having a cable from Dr. King from London, asking me to release her: she had previously been a Plunket nurse, and he required her to assist him in establishing a Mothercraft Home in London. This home has been going on ever since, but Miss Pattrick returned to New Zealand and, as I said above, is now Director of Plunket Nursing.
I must mention the intervention of the Dunedin Trained Nurses' Association when the Society was first formed. There was danger that women without hospital training would be taken as pupils to Karitane, and trained
A gracious reply was received, and the committee then formulated rules which admitted only registered nurses and registered midwives, the first to do a three months course, the latter six months.
Girls were also taken to train for twelve months as Karitane nurses to go out when qualified as baby nurses in families, but not in any way to assume the responsibility of Plunket nurses in cases of sickness.
There is no doubt that the Dunedin Association did much to preserve for the trained nurses of New Zealand, the work, which, but for their protest might have lapsed into the hands of partly qualified women instructed only in the art of infant feeding.
At the present time the majority of the Plunket nurses are well qualified women with general and midwifery training. They have great responsibility in their hands, as they have to carry out the principles of maternal and infant care, taught by Sir Truby King, without medical support. This, of course, should apply only when there is no actual illness, in which case nurses are expected to consult a doctor.
Throughout the country clinics are established to which mothers bring their infants to be weighed and for advice. The basis of the treatment for babies is breast feeding if at all possible, and if not, the preparation of milk to make it as nearly human as possible. In the early days of the Karitane Hospital, Dr. King frequently consulted the
New Zealand has the credit of the lowest infant mortality in the world. It has many advantages, climate, a pure milk supply, and I consider some credit should be given to the quiet work behind the scenes of the
Similar hospitals have been established in Sydney and Melbourne, and nurses from New Zealand have been sent to develop the work in these towns.
From Queensland the Government sent a nurse to study under Dr. King, and the baby welfare nurses work on the Plunket Society lines.
In South Africa, at Cape Town there is the Lady Burton Mothercraft Hospital where Miss Mitchell and Miss Rose Fanning are matron and sub-matron, both New Zealand nurses. In Sydney,
An important development in social service in New Zealand was the establishment of a school medical and nursing service. This was inaugurated in 1917, by the Education Department. At first doctors only were appointed, but as in most other health measures, nurses were quickly found to be necessary, and appointments were made to the various districts. Later, in 1920, this school medical service was transferred to the
This service appealed to many of the nurses, worn by their work during the war, and who were tired of institution life, and wished to live in their own homes; so quite a number of ex-sisters joined. At first the work was restricted to the inspection of the children at the schools and to the visiting of parents to ascertain if treatment prescribed by the doctor was being carried out, and in the towns, this is still the routine, but in distant country districts some of the nurses combine with their inspections, other health work, such as district visiting; a certain amount of baby welfare work on Plunket lines, and native health work.
A great deal of instruction in home nursing is carried out by some of the school nurses both by lectures and demonstrations and in several centres the school nurses undertake work for the Red Cross in this direction.
A very interesting event took place in July, 1911, when a conference of the Hospital Boards of the Dominion was called together, and met in Wellington. The boards wished to discuss together the many points in which their work was affected by the new Act, which had been two years in operation.
A very free discussion was held with a very satisfactory outcome.
Many of the papers read and discussed were of great interest to nurses. In all the schemes put forward, a large share in their working and success was allotted to nurses; in fact, many could not be undertaken at all, were it not that nurses were available to carry them out.
The prevention and cure of tuberculosis was one of the most important discussed, and it was unanimously carried that the scheme outlined by Dr. Valintine should be adopted. I had the privilege of attending this conference and was proud that the value of nurses' services took so prominent a place in the projected work.
Back-blocks district work was the subject of a paper read by the Chairman of the Board which had rst established a nurse. He spoke of the success of the work, and that the people would not now be without a nurse.
Dr. Valintine had asked me to prepare a paper on the Eight Hour System, showing arguments in favour of, and against it. On every question of course, there are
Kai Tiaki, together with a long discussion which followed. It was rather amusing to me to listen to the opinion of mere man on this question, and I regretted that there was no matron of a hospital present to give her views. I was called upon to speak, and I do not know how many of the listeners knew I had already given my views in the paper on discussion. One woman member of the Nelson Hospital Board spoke sensibly, and showed that although most of those speaking were not in favour of long hours of work for nurses, they favoured a less rigid application of a rule for eight hour work. Some considered that better nurses had been trained before the system had been instituted, but generally speaking, the Conference did not think it would be wise to go back to the longer hours.
I cannot here go into all that was said, but it is very fully reported in Kai Tiaki of October, 1911.
Another matter on which there was a discussion in which I was asked to speak, was that of the State examination.
The Chairman of the Palmerston North Hospital moved: “That in future the State Nursing Examination should be conducted in its entirety at the hospital where the nurse or nurses are in residence.” He spoke of the dislocation of work when nurses had to leave their hospital to go to another centre for their examination. Also of the expense to the nurse.
I was then asked to give the Department's reasons for holding the State examination in the main centres. I explained the value of the State certificate, and that this depends on the careful carrying out of the examination,
With regard to expense, I pointed out that the necessity for travelling to a centre would only occur once during the course, and that the nursing profession is the only one during the preparation for which the student is at no expense.
I also emphasised the value to a nurse from a small hospital coming to a large one and having the opportunity of seeing something of its equipment and meeting with other nurses.
Several other speakers gave their views, rather in favour of the central examinations, and the motion was withdrawn.
Since this initial meeting in conference of Hospital Boards, a Hospital Boards' Association has been formed, and meets every year or so. The chairman of this Board has recently been made a member of the “Nurses' and Midwives' Board.” His presence when many matters are brought up for decision by the Registration Board will, I think, be of value in letting a layman know something of the many problems in nursing education.
A defect in the Nurses' Registration Act of 1901, and a serious one, was the permitting of small hospitals to train probationers. When the Act was first drafted by Mrs. Grace Neill and Dr. Macgregor, it was desired to limit training to hospitals of 40 beds, but political influence defeated this proposal and no limit was set. Some excuse for this was in the sparse population of the colony in those days and the necessity for small hospitals in country places. It did not interfere greatly with the standard of nurse training, as the number of probationers coming from very small hospitals was very few. Also, as transport was difficult, the small hospitals often had to deal with serious cases, such as now are usually sent on to larger and better equipped centres, and nurses in these hospitals had the opportunity of helping with every step in the treatment of the cases, and of having to assume responsibility much earlier than girls in the large hospitals.
However, it appeared to me that it would be much to the advantage of both the small and the large hospitals to have a plan of affiliation for training. With the approval of my chief, I drafted out a scheme by which the hospitals in each district would be linked together as one training school. For instance, the Wairarapa Board, which was the first to adopt the scheme, constituted the Masterton Hospital its base hospital, with Greytown and Pahiatua as subsidiary hospitals. Probationers to commence their
The Nurses' and Midwives' Board has been able since my retirement to close many of the small places as training schools altogether, and to lay down regulations for affiliated training with more authority than under the first Registration Act was possible. This, of course, is outside the scope of my recollection, so I will not go into details, but a chapter at the end of this volume contains details of present regulations.
At one time there was a shortage of trained nurses in New Zealand, and it was then necessary to take every opportunity of training the women who were working in hospitals, and so the smaller hospitals could not be debarred from teaching their probationers, and our department could not forbid their sitting for the State examination, and if successful in passing it, their being registered as qualified nurses. I can say, too, that some excellent nurses came from these little hospitals.
However, about 1912, there was such a shortage of trained nurses for hospital positions, and for the district work so recently started, that it was decided to get some nurses out from Home. An invitation was sent by the Inspector-General for twelve nurses to come out at their own expense and to be guaranteed positions on arrival. A
It was intended, if the nurses turned out satisfactory, to invite more to come out from time to time on the same conditions.
They were required not so much for the larger hospitals, but for the little country places, and for back-block district work.
The first twelve who arrived were rather disappointing; only one remained permanently at work in New Zealand, and is still here. Of the others, some married and some returned to the Old Country after a short time. I felt that the scheme was not a success, and we did not renew the invitation.
As a matter of fact, the necessity became not so pressing, as twice a year the increasing number of girls coming up for the State examination provided enough qualified nurses for all requirements.
Among the many charitable institutions I used to visit, one which stands out is the Home of Compassion. It is the outcome of the charity of a very remarkable woman, the
She spent practically all her private fortune, and when that was gone relied on voluntary contributions. Sometimes
During the latter years of her life the Rev. Mother went to Rome to obtain the sanction of the Pope to the establishing of a new religious order—the Sisters of Compassion. She was unfortunate at first in that two successive Popes whom she interviewed, and whose sanction she secured, died before it was confirmed. She tried yet again, and succeeded in her mission. During that time the great earthquake at Messina occurred, and this old lady helped with the rescue and succour of the victims.
The personality of
I remember her first visit to me in my office shortly after my arrival. She was interested in me from my connection with Mr. Douglas Maclean, of
Another interesting suggestion in connection with nursing came from Auckland, when Dr. Pabst, of the
This suggestion gave rise to much thought, and I wrote my editorial of the April number of Kai Tiaki on that subject. I did not consider that the time was ripe then for any radical change in the training of nurses, and Dr. Pabst himself did not think that an academic training could take the place of practical work in a hospital. My editorial in
After that basic preparation, however, there are women who could well aspire to a University degree by postgraduate study. Such women as those who wish to go in for administrative posts, and for teaching students would benefit undoubtedly, but for the nurse who means to devote her life to actual sick nursing the time needed to acquire a University degree would be better spent in gaining experience in the treatment of disease.
Some few years after I retired from office, a postgraduate course for nurses with a diploma from the University was established, largely through the incentive of my successor, Miss Bicknell, who had been in England and seen what had there been accomplished in this direction.
Keeping in touch, as I always have, with my late department, I was glad to welcome these students to my home, and many pleasant meetings we had.
I may record here that the Health Department chose two nurses,
Miss Lambie, in 1931, was appointed to succeed Miss Bicknell as Director of Nursing, and, owing to financial stress, the course for that year was abandoned, and Miss Moore carried out systematic inspection of nurse training schools.
It is hoped to resume the course next year, or the year after. I note that it is possible that the International Course at Bedford College is also in jeopardy owing to financial stress, and may not be continued after 1932. In this connection it is claimed that as so many nurses from different countries had gone through the course and gone back to spread their knowledge in their own lands, the object for which it started had been attained.
I see, looking back on the pages, it appears that I was constantly at work. No holidays are mentioned. However, periodically I used to take a trip to Sydney to see my own relatives, and as the usual leave of three weeks for Government officials scarcely allowed time for such distant excursions, I usually waited for two years and had my combined holiday. Even then, the time was short. I used to go on to Melbourne, where one sister lived, and where I had many friends in the nursing world, as well as in my two old hospitals to visit.
I often regret now that I did not visit some of the beauty spots in New Zealand. Much of the country, of course, I did see in my tour of inspection, but these did not take me to places where no hospitals existed.
Once, when on the road, I was tempted to break away and take a short holiday, and telegraphed to my chief for a week's leave. I was on the West Coast, and Miss Inglis, the Matron of Cambridge Sanatorium, and Sister Collins, of that institution, wanted me to join them in a visit to the Franz Josef Glacier. My leave was granted, and off we went. We met at Hokitika, from which town we hired a buggy and horse to drive ourselves to the glacier, Sister Collins, who knew the country, acting as driver and guide. Anyhow, the stable people told us “Peggy” knew the way. We went as far as Ross the first afternoon and slept there
After this visit of inspection I really commenced my little holiday and felt care-free and ready to enjoy myself. After an early breakfast next morning we set off, taking lunch with us; it was early in March and a beautiful day, sunny and bright. We drove along, two in front and one behind hanging on to the little seat, not too comfortable, but no grumbles. The blackberries were ripe and plentiful by the roadside, and we stopped and gathered some. We ate our lunch by the lake side and then went on to Mount Hercules, a beautiful country road through the bush, rimu trees, lance wood, birch, etc., and ferns bordering the path. “Peggy” behaved well and carried us along to the first river which we found a dry bed. On the other side was the accommodation house at which we were to spend the night. Here we had a meal, not by any means equal to that at the Ross Inn; and fairly tired with a long day, retired to bed all in one room.
Alas, we had opened the windows, and little sleep was allowed us by the mosquitoes which poured in; our beds were black with corpses next morning.
We set off in good time to get to our destination- by evening; on our way we had to cross two rivers. One we found like the first, a dry bed, but the next, called the Big Wanganui River, was fairly full. Here it was a dangerous
We drove on then to Waiho, our destination, and engaged rooms at the only accommodation house, had our dinner and went across the river by a foot bridge to interview and secure a guide for the glacier expediton in the morning. One of the famous guides, the Grahams, lived there, with a charming old white haired lady, his mother. Alec Graham came back with us, and got our shoes ready for work next day, and in the morning, directly after breakfast, calling for us, we set off for a five mile walk through lovely bush and fern, for the glacier. We crossed a swing bridge and climbed up to a hut, where we had some food and tea, and then began the adventure of going on the ice. Exhilarating the cold air was, but the exercise kept us warm. We crossed the glacier, our guide cutting steps for us when necessary, and showing us the deep crevasses with the beautiful greeny blue shadows, into which we gazed in admiration. Reaching the other side, Miss Inglis and Miss Collins climbed up the mountainside, but I did not go so far, and remained resting and enjoying the solitude and the beautiful view of snow-clad mountains around. The mountains were clothed with great rata trees which, in their season, are covered with crimson blossom, and show a lovely colour scheme with the blue and white of the mountains and glaciers. This, unfortunately, was not the season, so the view was more
Very tired we were after our strenuous day. We had a meal, but by no means an appetising one, on our return, and then went to our beds.
In these days, I hear there is quite a good hotel at Waiho, with much more comfort, but then, we certainly had to rough it.
Next day we intended to devote to rambling about on our own, sketching for my part, and the others with cameras. We set off and walked again through the beautiful bush to the verge of the glacier, which, unlike most glaciers, comes down to within a short distance of the sea level. Unfortunately, we had not arrived at the Government hut facing- the glacier, when it commenced to rain and we got fairly wet. Inside the hut, there was a fireplace but not much firing, so we found an old gate outside
We waited for a time after our lunch hoping the weather would clear, but no luck, so we had to venture forth on our return to the house, and got fairly soaked and had to have our clothes dried by the fire. I was disappointed at not being able to get another sketch, but even in the rain, I hastily got a view between the trees which I was able to work up later into a pleasing memento of our trip.
We had intended to stay another day or so, but as the rain had commenced, and there was a prospect of the river being up and uncrossable, we thought we had better start our return journey next morning.
We set out in our “open buggy soon after breakfast, and drove through the pouring rain which penetrated our burberries and macintoshes, had lunch at a wayside accommodation house, and pushed on again, hoping to be able to cross the Big Wanganui before too late. However, when we arrived at the accommodation house, we were told we could not possibly cross, so we had to stay there. It was the same place where we had nearly been devoured by mosquitoes, but we knew better now than to open the windows. We were advised to wait here for two days, for the arrival of the coach and to leave our buggy and horse to go on by coach. So this we did, having two dreary days in a small place with no pleasant surroundings, and rather rough living.
The rain ceased, so we were able to go out and walk but as this accommodation house was planted some miles from the river, in a perfectly flat place with no scenery visible, we soon got tired of our stay, and when on Sunday we took the coach and drove to the river and the driver refused to cross, we began to feel our holiday was not a success.
We felt we could not endure the place any longer, and, as we heard that people could be put across the river by a boat, we decided to take that course and again went to the riverside, leaving our buggy there to be sent for, and our small luggage to be brought on by the coach. The swirling torrent of the river rather alarmed us, but we were not daunted and got across safely. Then we set out to walk, crossing a small stream on a log. We had, by the bush telephone, sent messages along the line asking for a conveyance, but being Sunday afternoon, had no success, and thought we would have to plod along about 14 miles to the next accommodation house. We had a thermos and some food with us, and sat by the wayside and had some tea and a rest; I was rather footsore and my shoes had suffered from the ice climbing. I had two pairs with me, so threw one pair away and wore the others for a change. After our rest, we set forth again and to our joy, saw a buggy approaching and hoped it was for us. It was! The man driving was a young workman hauling sleepers for the railway, and having heard of our plight, had borrowed a buggy and put his horse into harness and come to meet us. Thankfully we climbed up. Shortly, we came to slip rails with a man opening them, who invited us to go to his cottage where his wife had tea for us. This was the owner of the buggy, and we were taken into a two-roomed cottage, built on the brink
After this, we set off again with our friend in the buggy which, when we arrived at the river, we had to abandon and cross on a swing bridge and then walk along a narrow path above a ravine. Our driver escorted us with a lantern from the buggy, and to our relief, we found another man waiting with a buggy on the other side. We wished to pay our nice man for his help, but he would not accept anything. He knew we were nurses and said maybe he would be a patient some day. Thinking of the sanatorium, we hoped not. A fine and courteous young man and a good example of the young New Zealander.
As we drove along with our new conductor and came near the next accommodation house, we heard sounds of clapping and cheering, and to our astonishment, found it was for us. A party from Hokitika, going to the glacier, were held up there owing to the rivers, and were applauding us for getting through. It was about 9 p.m. by this time, and we were invited in to supper, for which we were not allowed to pay, and after that proceeded on our way. The next river, which had been a dry, stony bed when we had crossed it a few days before, was a foaming torrent and we had to cross on a swing bridge, abandoning our buggy.
Then we had to set out to walk to Ross; I cannot remember how many miles, but I do remember that we
Early next morning I resumed my tour of inspection and got on to Kumara, a funny little township which had boomed in the gold-mining epoch, but had gradually almost faded out. Here was a small hospital, mostly an old men's home, and which has. gradually faded out with its town.
Though this was the longest holiday I have taken in New Zealand, I have had pleasant little week-ends, Christmas holidays and Easter at various places, but, as I said before, I usually spent my longer vacations in Australia.
One delightful time I had there was a sketching trip, with two artist friends and another old friend, to the Blue Mountains. I have some remembrance of this trip, hanging on the walls of my cottage.
Always linked with the plan of a holiday when travelling about on my official duties, my block and water colours were packed in my suit case, and so I have sketches taken in various parts of the Dominion.
A part of New Zealand nursing history which happened during my term of office, though personally, I had little part in it, was the smallpox epidemic among the Maoris in 1913.
My department had a very extensive organisation for the stamping out of the disease, which had gained a footing before it was realised that we had smallpox among us. It was introduced by a Maori Mormon elder, arrived from overseas, whose case developed soon after he landed, when he was taking part in a big gathering of Maoris. At first, the cases were so mild that they were not diagnosed, but soon it was quite apparent that it was smallpox.
Sanitary inspectors were sent to arrange for isolation, and camps were formed with nurses in charge. Extra vaccinators were appointed. The nurses' duties were out of the usual routine, for as well as nursing the patients, they did vaccinating, arranged for provisions for contacts, and those isolated, and rode from kainga to kainga seeing that none were breaking quarantine; also fumigating and disinfecting. The Auckland Hospital isolation hospital at Port Chevalier, was opened as a smallpox hospital, and Nurses Gill and Begbie were on duty there. Marquees had to be added. At one time, there were 60 patients, the nurses at first had to rough it almost as much in temporary camp hospitals, but they stuck to it, bravely, they only
At another place, Hokitika, a larger temporary hospital was established in charge of
Miss Bagley was very busy arranging for nurses and visiting the temporary hospitals. Among the nurses who were fighting the epidemic were Nurse Ellen Taare, a Maori district nurse, who had a camp at Waikare, Bay of Islands, Nurse Fairbank, Nurse Kettleby, Nurse Wigney, Nurse Wilkes, Nurse Mataira, a native nurse of the
Vaccination was very vigorously pursued in all centres, and New Zealand being an infected place, everyone leaving for Australia or elsewhere, had to be vaccinated. My office was a vaccination office and there, with one or two doctors, I did hundreds of people.
All other ordinary work had to be suspended for the time.
The nurses were splendid at this time, never flinching from their duties or shrinking from infection, and fortunately, none contracted the disease.
In 1912 the question of establishing a School of Massage was discussed by the New Zealand Branch of the British Medical Association and was taken up by the
In session members of Parliament also discussed the registration of masseurs. The school was established in July, 1913, at the Medical School of the Otago University. The course was to be for 18 months. For the first six months the curriculum was lectures, demonstrations in anatomy and physiology and massage instruction, to be followed by twelve months practical work in a public hospital under instructors appointed for the purpose. The course to be followed by an examination set by the Government.
In the July number of Kai Tiaki a full outline of the course and the fees thereof, is given.
I was given the work of drafting a Bill for the registration of masseurs, an interesting piece of work, for which I used as model, the Nurses' Registration Act. Eight students had passed their examination and, of course, were anxious for registration. So also were the practitioners who, under a concessional clause for those already practising, would be eligible for registration. I had much consultation with Mr. Christie, the Government Law Draftsman, over the Bill. I could not get it quite to
After the Registration of Masseuses Act was passed, the masseurs and masseuses started an Association, the first branch starting in Wellington with Miss Brandon as President. After this, the Auckland masseuses got to work, then Christchurch and Otago.
Only registered masseuses and masseurs joined this Association. There were quite a number of men practising, and some did not quite approve of the rules proposed, but quite a number came into line and a strong organisation was built up. Conferences are held in the different centres periodically. The Association elects a president each year. I was elected an honorary member of the Association, and while able, I enjoyed going to the meetings and attending the lectures which were given by different members of the B.M.A. There are quite a number of general trained nurses who have taken their massage certificate either in New Zealand or in England, practising in the different centres.
Of course the need of the wounded soldiers was what gave a special stimulus to massage treatment, and methods of treatment became developed and extended owing to the very varied needs of the terrible war injuries inflicted on the soldiers.
Another stimulus to massage and electrical treatment was their application to infantile paralysis and to the deformites caused by that disease. An epidemic occurred in New Zealand in 1914–15 which was very wide-spread throughout the Dominion. There has been isolated cases of the disease before, from which cripples remained as evidence. While the epidemic raged, a curious incident occurred; the
The lady arrived, and in Dr. Valintine's office demonstrated on his young daughter, who was lame from the effects of the disease, her method of treatment by special splints and massage. I was present at this demonstration; Dr. Valintine was much impressed by the personality of Miss Bevilaqua, as well as by her treatment. She was evidently a keenly religous woman, and seemed to consider that she had a special mission. She had a clinic in the city of Adelaide where she practised massage, and had treated many cases of infantile paralysis or polio-myelitis.
The next step was for Miss Bevilaqua to be taken to the
The result of her demonstration was that the Government agreed to send her to the various centres, paying all her expenses and she was, for some time, in New Zealand travelling from place to place. There is no doubt that her services were very valuable in showing what could be done for the unfortunate children suffering grave disability from deformitism caused by infantile paralysis. Miss Bevilaqua was well acquainted with the different splints needed and gave instructions to the splint makers at the hospitals.
I have heard nothing more of her since her return to Adelaide, but have a vivid recollection of a forceful personality keen to do all she could, a crank in some ways, but isn't it cranks who bring about great results?
In common with most other countries, New Zealand has had to consider provision for the unfortunate sufferers from phthisis. The first sanatorium established was at Otaki, where Dr. Mason, Chief Health Officer, had erected shelters for men and women. There was also a small cottage hospital under the Wellington Hospital Board, with Miss Sealy as Matron.
The provision here soon proved inadequate and the Government authorised Dr. Mason to purchase a site near Cambridge, with an old residence away on the hills, seven miles of a steep ascent. Here shelters were added and the institution was placed under Dr. Roberts, a medical practitioner in the little town of Cambridge. Miss Bridgman, an
When the Health Department and the Hospitals Department were merged under Dr. Valintine, it became one of my duties to visit the sanatorium. There were several changes of matron and of medical superintendent, who became full time officers and resided at the sanatorium. Later, after the war, partly as a measure of economy, this sanatorium was closed. It was expensive and difficult to administer owing to its situation, and also the position often smothered in thick mist was not considered very suitable for consumptives.
The Pukeroa Sanatorium was then established near Waipukurau, as I mention elsewhere.
The policy of Dr. Valintine was that the Hospital Boards should make provision for these cases as for other cases of illness, and by degrees sanatoria were established by several of the larger boards and shelters attached to the hospitals by others. The Cashmere Hills Sanatorium, under the North Canterbury Board, is the largest of these and is a well planned institution, on the hills above Christ-church.
The Dunedin Hospital Board has a sanatorium at Pleasant Valley some 40 miles from Dunedin, and one for the more advanced cases near the town.
Some of the Boards of the South Island combined, and have a fine place in Central Otago. This commenced in a very small way, started by a doctor who erected a few shelters at Waipiata, a climate regarded as especially suitable for the treatment of this disease. I visited the place at this time but did not find conditions at all suitable.
Later on, when the boards had taken it over I was there again and saw the beginning of what is now a splendid institution.
The nursing at these sanatoria is carried on by matron and staff nurses fully qualified and girls who are not trained in general nursing but who, after some years, pass an examination and obtain certificates as tuberculosis nurses. They have lectures from the doctors and, of course, splendid practical experience. Trained nurses sometimes go to these hospitals to gain the knowledge they cannot get in general hospitals now that few cases of the kind are treated therein.
At one time, the sanatoria were affiliated with the training schools and three months allowed to count in the general training, but this has been discontinued.
I have now come to what, during the time I have spent in New Zealand, has been the most interesting though strenuous period I have gone through. The most interesting also, in the memories of the New Zealand nurses of the time. When in August, 1914, we learnt of the entry of Great Britain into the war, and it was decided by the Government that men would be sent from here, nurses felt that they would also be needed.
In 1913, as I mentioned before, I was gazetted Matron-in-Chief, and the regulations had to be formed for the New Zealand service. It was arranged then to appoint the matrons of the four chief hospitals to be principal matrons for the districts of Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. Each was to form a detachment of sixteen and submit names to me for appointment as sisters and staff nurses. The proposed regulations, which had to be in accordance with those of Queen Alexandra Military Nursing Reserve, had then to be sent to the Home Secretary of the Reserve in London for approval.
It was decided that sisters and nurses would be drawn, both from the hospital staffs and private and district nursing, and must be under 40 years of age.
The note I have in Kai Tiaki is that “it is not probable they will be called upon to perform any arduous duties or
How differently things turned out! The district Matrons were:—Miss Payne, Wellington; Miss Orr, Auckland; Miss Thurston, Christchurch; Miss Myles, Dunedin.
As I wrote before, we then had to wait for regulations to be approved by the War Office, so although many applications came in, no one could be enrolled, no uniform decided upon. On August 7th, 1914, it was decided by the Government (in response to a cable from the War Office, asking that if able they should seize the Germany wireless station at Samoa), to send ships with troops to take possession of German Samoa. The expeditionary Force was to sail under sealed orders. It was decided to send three nursing sisters in each troop ship, and one morning I received a telephone message from headquarters to come up at once. I was in bed with a very bad sore throat, but knowing there must be something important on hand, I got up. When I arrived, Colonel Will, then Director of Medical Services, met me and told me of the decision about the nurses, and directed me to enrol the necessary number, and have them ready for an unknown destination three days later. My sore throat vanished, and back at my office I was soon busy. There was not time to go far for the nurses, and I quickly selected from those near at hand, some who had already volunteered. Miss Bertha Nurse was the senior of these, and I put her in charge. Sister
For these first nurses, we had little time to consider uniforms at all, and we had no knowledge of whither they were bound.
While writing of this first little contingent of nurses, I must not forget
The story of how the Germans capitulated and the British flag was raised without bloodshed, is well known. The New Zealand sisters took possession of the hospital. At first, the German staff of the hospital, three German doctors and three German sisters and a matron, were allowed to continue their work, and one sister took one large and one single ward with verandah, and necessary offices, and there nursed their patients.
Later, of course, the German sisters left and our sisters took over the whole hospital, and it has been carried on ever since by New Zealand nurses, whom, while I was in office, it was my duty to select. The climate being very trying, the sisters were not allowed to stay more than two years or less; so frequent changes had to be made. It was suggested at one time that, as Inspector of Hospitals, I should visit Apia, but this never came off, no time and too much expense.
After the despatch of these few nurses, we hoped that others would be required to go with the contingents of men being sent from New Zealand, and constantly applications to join the service came in. The next troop ships were despatched to Egypt. General Godley, then the General commanding the New Zealand Forces, went in command. It was very strongly urged that sisters should be sent on each troop ship, but it was decided that as New Zealand was not supplying a full division, for which it would be necessary under army regulations to provide a fully equipped hospital, there was no necessity to send nurses. The New Zealand contingent would be provided for by the Australian Division to which it would be attached.
Before this time, we had been thrilled by the cabled news that among the first nurses to set foot in Belgium after the declaration of war, were two New Zealanders. They landed with a party of 10 surgeons and 20 nurses on August 16th. Later, we ascertained that these two nurses were Sister Theresa Butler (now Matron of Raratonga Hospital), trained at Christchurch Hospital, and Sister Jessie McLeod, trained at Invercargill, now Sister-in-Charge at Cashmere Sanatorium.
Sister May Palmer was another New Zealand nurse who was quickly on the scene, joining the French Red Cross. She had previously nursed during the Balkan War. Our nurses envied these sisters who, being on the spot, could so quickly offer their services. There were several other nurses visiting England at the time. Sister Hitchcock and Sister Lind joined
Some nurses, deciding not to wait to be sent from New Zealand, took their own passages, and started off at once, Mary Wilson, Lucy Atkinson, Carrie Jones, Mary Purcell, were among the first, and their services were accepted at once.
All attempt was now given up to join the Queen Alexandra Reserve, and an independent New Zealand Army Nursing Service was decided upon and regulations drawn up which were later, by an amendment under the Defence Act, passed. Enrolments of the members of the service were made by the nurses being sworn in, in the same manner as the men, and their names entered in the army list of officers.
This, of course, was not at first, and in the meantime it was decided by the Nurses' Association to have a
At the time I was in Dunedin, and hearing that he had agreed to receive the nurses, I rang him up and asked if he would like me to be present with him. The reply was “yes,” so next morning I proceeded to his office and was there when Mr. Statham, M.P., introduced the deputation. This consisted of Miss Holford, Dr. Macdonald, President of the Otago Branch, Miss Williamson, R.R.C., Mrs. Macgregor, Nurse Manson (the last three ladies having served as nurses in the Boer War).
The deputation was very kindly received by the Minister, who said he was glad to meet the nurses, and hear what they had to say. Mrs. Macgregor, Miss Williamson, and Nurse Manson referred to their experiences on troop ships and in South Africa, and of the need of qualified nursing care. Dr. Marshall Macdonald told what had been done by Australia, and emphasised the need of nurses, not only to nurse the men in Egypt, but also on the troop ships and transports, when wounded and sick men were returning to New Zealand.
He added that when New Zealand's sons were serving the Empire in the field, it was only right that her daughters, who were willing and able, should be allowed to do so too.
In replying, Mr. Allen gave very fully the reasons; the main one being that as New Zealand was not sending a full division, but joining with the troops sent from
He said, in conclusion, that he would be glad to inform the Mother Country that many nurses in New Zealand were prepared to serve, and ask if the Mother Country desired that they would be sent.
He also would communicate with the Australian Minister of Defence, and ask if he would accept offers from New Zealand nurses to join the reinforcements.
If these offers were accepted, he would facilitate their going.
Dr. Marshall Macdonald thanked Mr. Allen for his “crumb of comfort,” and the deputation withdrew. The Minister then consulted with me regarding the telegrams to be sent, one to the War Office to the effect that New Zealand nurses were anxious to serve, and that the Government was prepared to send fifty nurses for service under the British War Office, or the French Red Cross, if acceptable.
Another telegram was sent to the Prime Minister of Australia. “Should reinforcements of nurses for Australian hospitals at the Front be required, will you consider the inclusion of some New Zealand nurses?”
To this a reply was received: “Not anticipated any nurses as reinforcements will be required for some months. If reliefs sent will endeavour to include some New Zealand nurses.” This shows how little realised was the great need of nurses for this war.
Shortly after this, a cable was received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, stating that the Army Council accepts with thanks the offer of the New Zealand
On March 25th, a cable also arrived from the Commonwealth Government asking if twelve New Zealand nurses, two of the rank of sister, and ten staff nurses could be ready to sail for Melbourne on March 31st. Of course I replied “Yes,” and then the work of collecting them began. We did not have to provide uniforms, as these nurses would be wearing the Australian uniform.
The nurses selected so hurriedly, came as far as possible from different parts of the Dominion and were: Elizabeth White, from Dunedin; Alice Fraser, from Auckland; Ethel Dement, from Wellington; Grace Guthrie, Helen Brown, Dunedin; Hilda Steele, Auckland; Elsie Cooke, Nora Fitzgibbon, Dorothy Rose, from Christchurch; Emily Scott, Auckland; Cora Turnbull, Dunedin; Jessie Verey, Dunedin.
Our Government paid the nurses' fares to Melbourne, and their salaries and allowances at the Australian rates, which were a little lower than those arranged for the New Zealand nurses. We heard later from them of the kind welcome they were given and of how they were met by the Matron of the Sydney Hospital, and accommodation arranged for them till they embarked at Melbourne with the remainder of the contingent, on April 13th. After this, they received their pay and allowance from the Australian Defence.
The writer said nothing could exceed the kindness of the Australian nurses who, though so many were anxious to be taken in for service, showed not a trace of jealousy or resentment at New Zealand being represented in the Commonwealth Contingent.
It is interesting to record the text of the reply from the War Office, and I copy it from Kai Tiaki of April, 1915:—
From the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor of New Zealand:
“Your telegram of 7th January has been communicated to the Army Council who desire me to express their thanks for offer made, and to say that they will have much pleasure in accepting offer, providing nurses are available for service wherever required, and not only for duty with New Zealand troops. Nurses should be fully trained for three years and should have certificates of efficiency, both from matrons under whom trained, and under whom last served. Maximum limit of age, 45 years. They should be guaranteed by New Zealand Government and sent over under a responsible matron, to look after them in this country till their services can be utilised.
“Applications for service from following New Zealand nurses already in this country, are now being considered by War Office—(names here follow)—can your Government in case of these nurses also give guarantee as to training and efficiency?”
The comment in Kai Tiaki on this:—
The enquiry in the concluding paragraph is a recognition of the State Registration of nurses in New Zealand, and show the great advantage of a central control of the qualifications of nurses.
Some of the names given were not registered nurses, and therefore the Government could not give the guarantee asked for.
At the same time, the standard of qualification required from the Australian nurses was a certificate of three years training in a general hospital of over 100 beds.
Fortunately for many of our nurses, trained in smaller hospitals, the State Registration of the Government was recognised as a guarantee of efficiency, so many nurses trained in smaller hospitals were able to give their services. Quite a number were already working in England and France, with sisters from the larger hospitals, as well as those more fortunate ones, gave evidence that they were fully capable of upholding the standard of nursing in New Zealand.
As soon as the affair of the deputation was over, I proceeded on my inspecting tour of the Central Otago Hospitals, and as I decided to get back to my headquarters as soon as possible, in case of a favourable reply being received to offer of nurses, I travelled on a holiday, January 1st. New Year's Day, en route to business did not seem quite the thing, but no time could be wasted and I cannot tell how much I enjoyed that trip. A glorious summer day; first the trip by train, and then on the front seat of the coach from Ranfurly to Naseby. I have never forgotten the beauty of the country and the delicious scent of the clover along the road. Arriving at Naseby, I found the little town full of people and no room at the inn, so I telephoned to the hospital and the matron said she could put me up there. She, I found keen to go to active service, and she was one of those who went very soon after. She was a namesake of my own, but I hope that did not sway me!
I cut out the rest of the trip and returned to office to await replies to cables.
When I arrived back at Wellington, the reply of the War Office had been received; we then set to work in earnest to select the 50 nurses. A telegram from the Minister of Defence came to me saying, “Miss—offers to accompany contingent of nurses as Matron-in-Charge.”
The Minister of Health, Mr. Rhodes (now Sir Heaton Rhodes), willingly agreed to my going and Mr. Allen also approved; so then I had to apply for leave from my Civil appointment to the Public Service Commissioner. I went to see Mr. Robertson, who very kindly gave me six months leave for military service, and I suggested that if, when in England I would like a little more leave, to cable for it.
I designed only to take the nurses Home, hand them over to the War Office, and, allowing about a month to stay in England, to return to my usual duties. At that time, of course, it was expected that the war would be over very shortly.
I wished to have as representative a group of nurses as possible, and so from the lists of recommended nurses sent in by the four district matrons, I chose some from as many different hospitals as possible, and some from the back-blocks district nursing service. We were at that time under the impression that this would probably be the only contingent sent from New Zealand.
The Minister sent for me one day to consult me about the passage Home. It was suggested to send the nurses on the s.s. Rotorua, sailing on April 8th. I was asked if the nurses should be sent first or second-class, there being three classes. I enquired what the difference in cost would be, and was told £1,000, so I replied that the nurses would not wish to be more expense than needed to the Government, and would go second-class.
This perhaps, was a mistake on my part, as the nurses were to rank as officers, and officers on military service all travel first-class, but on this occasion, as it was purely a
We had then to get busy with the uniforms and decided to adhere to the grey Petone cloth, but instead of cloaks, to have overcoats of the material, with pipings on collar and cuffs of scarlet and the New Zealand Army brass buttons on both bodice of dress and coat.
These gave a smart appearance to the uniform. A scarlet cape, similar to the Queen Alexandra Uniform, was also added, the handkerchief-shaped Army cap and grey gingham dresses for duty, with plain white aprons.
The grades of rank were represented by full scarlet collar and cuffs edged with grey braid for Matron-in-Chief, and band of varying width for matrons and sisters.
It was impossible in Wellington or elsewhere, to purchase a sufficient amount of grey cotton material for the working dresses, so it was decided to procure these in London on arrival.
The question of a badge was much debated, and the Minister of Defence invited designs to be sent to the Matron-in-Chief. Quite a large number were received, and Mr. Allen was much interested in choosing one. Finally, the one our nurses wore when sent away, was chosen. The traditional nurses' bonnet was selected—a very neat little grey bonnet with grey ribbon strings fastening below the chin—but fortunately, I decided that a hat was also necessary and chose a grey straw hat, not too large, trimmed with grey ribbon.
When I arrived at the War Office, after landing, I was rejoiced to find that Miss Beecher, the Matron-in-Chief, had almost an identical hat for her nurses, but had also retained for official occasions the plain bonnets.
This, I suppose, is the last occasion on which such head gear will be worn by nurses on military or other service.
It has passed indeed, with other traditions of nursing service, and was a relic of the nun-like habits of old times.
Meanwhile, while I was busy with all this detail, nurses were being selected, medically examined and on arrival at Wellington prior to sailing, were attested and sworn in, quite a ceremony with so many as fifty.
Nurses Nurse and Price and Wilson had by this time arrived back from Samoa, and, of course, were eager to be sent on.
Names of nurses sent in first contingent:—Nurse Nurse, Price, Wilson, Maclean, Fanny Speedy,
The Red Cross provided them with quite a number of comforts, deck chairs, torches, books, and many other things were given. Finally, the Wellington Branch of the Trained Nurses' Association gave a farewell reception to the whole fifty.
The Minister of Defence, the Hon.
The Prime Minister, the Right Honorable,
“We are not sending you to nurse New Zealand troops only, we are sending you to do whatever the Army Council in England may ask you to do; but whether you are sent to Europe or Egypt or Turkey, the good wishes of New Zealand go with you, and we wish you good luck, a safe voyage, and a safe return. You carry with you the fair name of New Zealand, and we look to you to create another tradition for us.”
After some kind words from the Minister of Health, the
I had arranged to keep on my little flat during my absence, so had no trouble in packing and putting things away.
One circumstance had pleased me very much in connection with the volunteers for service; not one query had been made as to pay and allowances. One sister told me she had never expected her pay to be more than £50 per annum. It was not until the first contingent had sailed, that the regulations with rates of pay and allowances were finally passed by Cabinet, but before they left, it had been officially announced by the Minister of Defence, and published in the papers that the whole of the members of the contingent would have the same status as officers in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, although their pay was on a different basis.
Under the regulations the total number of the service was to be 101, including the 50, and of them 20 were to be sisters.
It was little thought that this number allowed for would be many times exceeded. The Matron-in-Chief being already in a position receiving salary, and the four principle matrons of the district, were not included on the pay list; it was not expected, unless under special circumstances, that any would be called upon for service inconsistent with their ordinary office.
During the long course of the War, it was necessary to change some of the regulations at first issued, which appear fully in Kai Tiaki, and to add others.
On 8th April, 1915, on a beautiful morning, we embarked on the good ship Rotorua. Crowds of friends and relatives saw us off. I was sorry that no relative of mine was in New Zealand, but my friends were good. Jupp's Band played cheerful airs. A presentation bouquet, a beautiful basket of blooms, was handed to me by the Patriotic Society. I still have the red, white and blue ribbons with gold lettering. Dr. Valintine and the Minister presented me with a wristlet watch.
We sailed off about noon on a fine day, and smooth sea, so everyone was right and cheerful for a time at least, though later many succumbed to sea-sickness. I am a good sailor, and felt quite well. Besides my fifty nurses, there were on board others who were going on their own account to offer their services. Among these were Miss Dora Gill, Nurse Bilton, whom I mentioned before as the pioneer back-block district nurse at Uriti, Sister Benjamin, from the Cashmere Sanatorium, Christchurch, Sister White, Sisters Baker, Dobson and White, from Christ-church.
I am glad to say that these nurses and those who had gone earlier, those going at their own expense, were afterwards recompensed by the New Zealand Government for their passage money, and their return passage paid, their War gratuity made up to that given to the members of the N.Z.A.N.S.”
Life on the good ship Rotorua was quite pleasant, there were a number of passengers, both of first and second-class
Games were the order of the day when we had all found our sea legs, and it was quite amusing to see the matrons and sisters who had thrown off the responsibilities of their work for the time being, indulging in childish games such as “Here we go gathering nuts in May,” and so on. Of course I was expected to join too, and thoroughly enjoyed it all. Until we reached Monte Video and Rio, there were very few young men on board, so the women were thrown on their own resources. We had dances on deck, exercise that was very necessary. One evening I remember the Captain saying to me, “Matron, you will never get those girls of yours to work after all this play.” “Indeed I will,” I said, “the better they play now, the better they will work when it comes to that point.”
He really agreed with me, he said.
The Chief Officer said one day, “Matron, you're just ‘It’.” I think the idea they had of a matron was one who would sternly repress all frivolity.
We had a fancy dress ball one evening. It was great fun getting up the dresses out of very little.
Miss Buckley had a very original idea. She is very tall and thin, so dressed in a long sheet as a light-house. I painted rock work on brown paper for her foundation and she had round her shoulders a railing and on her head shone a light, produced with a torch which she flashed on and off. It really was very good.
Several young men on board were going Home to join up, and several more joined us at Monte Video and Rio and the Cape. I wonder how many of the poor boys survived.
Passing Cape Horn, it was very cold, the snow fell on the deck and the headland was covered in snow. We landed at Monte Video and enjoyed the change to terra firma. Went for a drive round the city and did a little shopping. I was able to get a sketch from the ship which I still have. At Rio we had a whole day, and took the funicular train to the Corquovado, but at the top it was a wall of mist. Those who had their cameras could not do anything, but I had my sketch block and when the mist lifted for a moment, I got a rapid sketch of the islands below and the watering place to which the Rio-people go in the summer.
After descending we had lunch, and then went for a drive round the city and suburbs; then back to the ship, resuming our voyage.
Our next port of call was the Cape, and here we went ashore and had a drive round, but the time was short.
At Teneriffe we had an interesting time and there heard of the torpedoing of the Lusitania, with the terrible loss of life.
On return to the ship, it was decided to make all possible preparation for a similar experience—boat drill was started and everyone was assigned their positions. There were a number of women and children in the third class, and we decided that the nurses would help these by each adopting a child to take care of in the event of disaster. The children were each introduced to its nurse, and at boat drill went to her.
After this, it was a case of lights out at night and our pleasant times on deck in the evenings ceased.
On May 19th we arrived at Plymouth and then to our regret, had to leave our ship and go to London by train. The officer in command at Plymouth called on me on board the Rotorua and explained that this was necessary, as it was too dangerous to send us up the channel on account of submarines and mines. Indeed, there was a serious danger as evidenced by the fact that on her next voyage the old Rotorua, with a large cargo of meat, was sunk after leaving Plymouth.
The sisters, many of whom had not seen England before, much enjoyed the train journey up to London. Everything was arranged for us so I had no trouble. It was very early spring and many were the exclamations as we saw the lovely spring flowers, primroses, hyacinths, etc., growing wild under the hedge and everything green and fresh.
A message was delivered to me by an agent from the New Zealand office in London, to the effect that I was requested to report to the Matron-in-Chief of the Queen Alexandra service at the War Office, on the following day.
We were met at the London station by an officer from the New Zealand office, who informed me of the arrangements made for our billetting while in London. Several nurses homes had been selected, but we could not all go to one. I elected to accompany the largest party which was to go to the Francis Street Hostel, at which I had
At breakfast next morning, I was surprised to see a girl who trained with me at the Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. She was equally surprised to see me.
My first duty was to go to the War Office; there I was met very courteously by Miss Beecher and taken to her office where she informed me that, if we agreed, my contingent of nurses would be sent to Egypt. I replied that, of course, we were there to be sent wherever required, and that as all our men were at that time on that front, the sisters would prefer to go to Egypt.
Miss Beecher enquired about our equipment, and I told her that, as it was quite uncertain what was to become of our nurses, the question of equipment had been left till we reached London and received orders. It was interesting to me to see that Miss Beecher, in addition to the regulation little grey bonnet of the uniform, had added straw hats for active service almost identical with those we had brought with us.
I was given a list of the necessary equipment and advised to procure it at the Army and Navy stores. No authority had been given me to incur this extra expense over and above the uniform allowance, so I had to interview
The next thing was to arrange about the cotton uniform, and Miss Beecher kindly advised me of the firms from which she ordered her nurses dresses. It was quite difficult in this busy time to get even these simple dresses made in the time at our disposal, and I had to go to several firms. As Miss Beecher asked if I would go to Egypt in charge of the nurses, it was necessary for me too, to get cool uniforms, so I got a couple of grey shantung dresses made.
It was uncertain whether the transport on which we were to sail would be leaving in three or in ten days, as a matter of fact, it was a fortnight, before we got off.
In that fortnight we all packed in a great deal of sightseeing and visiting of friends. The Academy was open and I much enjoyed a visit there and also saw some of the other galleries again.
We were entertained very kindly by several people. One day we were invited to visit the Houses of Parliament and were shown round by several Members, our host being Lord Plunket, formerly Governor of New Zealand. We were sorry that Parliament was not sitting as we would have enjoyed hearing a debate.
Another day we were entertained at tea at the Westminster Hotel and listened to speeches welcoming us to the Old Country and thanking us for patriotism in coming to help. I had, of course, to reply to these speeches and in order to be seen and heard, was mounted on a chair in
Another entertainment was not so trying, Mrs. McCarthy Reid, invited us to a theatre party and nearly fifty of us went, and much enjoyed the play.
Perhaps the entertainment I remember with most pleasure was that given by Sir Thomas Mackenzie, the High Commissioner, when he took us for a picnic down the Thames. We set off in one of the river steamers reserved for the occasion, on a lovely summer morning and steamed away down to Hampton Court. We had lunch on the opposite side of the river and then went across to the old palace and wandered about the lovely grounds. We saw the most beautiful tulips, beds of them of all colours, that I had ever seen. Then we walked away down the gardens past the rhododendrons, which were out in bloom, and the azalea groves, also a blaze of glory, and saw numbers of artists endeavouring to depict them. The bit of wild garden with the wild hyacinths and blue bells beneath the spreading branches of the elm trees in their first spring green, especially appealed to me, and when I saw an artist seated there painting, I determined to come by myself one day and get a sketch. So one day, the last in London, I went to the Army and Navy stores, purchased a block, water can and sketching stool and set off, by bus this time, and spent a happy afternoon. The result is on the wall in front of me as I write.
After our walk about this beautiful place, we went back to our little steamer and turned towards London. All along the river bank was beauty, the hawthorns were out in full bloom and many lovely pink ones had shed a
On Empire Day we were taken to the special service at Westminster Abbey, where the Westminster Choir sang most beautifully. After the impressive service in this beautiful historic Abbey, one of the Canons took us to his quarters in the precincts and gave us afternoon tea.
One day, when busy with the equipment of the nurses, I met in a shop, Dr. Barclay, formerly of Waimate, New Zealand. He had been endeavouring to find me and ran me to earth about mid-day. He was on the staff of the Woolwich Military Hospital and invited me to go out there with him. First we went to lunch, and then on by train to Woolwich. I was especially glad to be going there, as I knew an old Prince Alfred friend, Sister Garden, was there on the staff. She had served in the South African War, and was on the Queen Alexandra Reserve, so had been called up. I also met there, a
Long after I heard, when I returned to New Zealand, that a cable had been sent for me to take on the New Zealand Army Nursing Service, all New Zealand nurses in England. This cable never reached me; I should, of course, have been very glad to have been able to enlist our nurses. As it was, however, they were all made use of and Miss Beecher told me she would take on any I recommended. Also several, as I said before, had joined the Red Cross and Mrs. Bedford Fenwicke's French Flag Corps. Many of these were later able to transfer to our own service.
Well, to resume my visit to Woolwich.' The Royal Herbert Hospital then contained about 900 beds, and was built on the pavilion system, somewhat, except for the absence of balconies, so much used in the colonies, like my old hospital, the Royal Prince Alfred, in Sydney. Another similarity was that “Sisters” room at the end of each ward opened off the corridor. As the original plans of this hospital were submitted to Florence Nightingale, this was probably her idea of providing a place for the sisters in charge of wards where they could rest and yet be on call if needed.
One large ward had been transferred into an officers' ward, and there were there 27. Each bed was covered with a pink flowered eiderdown quilt and had a strip of carpet and a small white chest of drawers. There were beautiful flowers about. A ward opposite had been transferred into a mess room for the officers, and beyond was a lounge, furnished with easy chairs, piano, etc. A special chef cooked the officers' meals. There were also a number of single rooms in a separate wing, which were all occupied.
Over and above the original 900 beds, eight huts, each with 24 beds had been added to the hospital.
In the main wards there were five large windows, the floors were polished and they were gay with flowers.
I had not much time to make observations, as I had to get back to London, but my friend, Sister Garden, showed me all she could. It was sad to see so many fine young men so terribly wounded. I saw a terrible shrapnel wound, with a following malignant gas œdema, being dressed. It was a gaping wound, exposing the whole head of the humerus and had been freely opened over the arm and scapula. It was treated with peroxide of hydrogen injected round and beyond the area of the œdema, and antiseptic pads applied; oxygen also was used.
V.A.D. workers were being utilised and given some instruction, as all the trained orderlies had been sent to France.
There were cases of secondary hæmorrhage, and there had been a good many cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis. These were treated in an isolation hut.
Massage was being used fairly extensively and was being supplied freely by Sir Almeric Paget's Corps for massage.
This work was mostly carried out by masseuses who had to hold their certificates of the Incorporated Society of Masseuses or an equivalent.
During my short visit to London, I did not have the opportunity of visiting many of the hospitals, as I was expecting to return from Egypt and take my promised leave. I put off such visits with the exception that I went one morning to the Officers' Hospital in Westminster, where my old friend, Miss Barclay, with whom I had travelled out on my return from my first visit to England, was on duty. It was a private house loaned by, I forget what great lady, and was most bright and cheerful.
Dr. Barclay invited me and Sister Buckley, who had trained under him at Waimate, to dinner and the theatre one evening. Another guest was a young Russian girl who was in training at the London Hospital.
Dr. Barclay had been at work in the early months of the war in Russia, and had met this young lady there working among the wounded. During this crowded fortnight I had the pleasure of meeting my old friend, Mrs. Morris (Sister Anderson of the Women's Hospital, Melbourne), who had travelled with me on my first visit to England and married at Durham. Her husband was then Superintendent of a large sanatorium for tubercular
My cousin, Carrie Maclean, also I saw, and was to see more of her on my return; she was intensely interested in the development of massage in connection with the wounded, being still a member of the Council of the Incorporated Society. Other old friends I had a glimpse of again, with promise of return.
No one then thought that the War would be going on for nearly four years more.
I must not forget to mention an interesting encounter I had in the omnibus going up from Francis Street one morning to the High Commissioner's Office.
Seated opposite me in a dark blue uniform with brass buttons, shoulder straps with badge of rank of Major, was a pleasant looking woman. I recognised the uniform as the Canadian, and she mine, and we simultaneously addressed each other. Later, after I had completed my business at the office, I went to her headquarters, a very nice office in Victoria Street, and we then went to the Army and Navy stores, and had morning tea together. We met again once or twice.
She invited me to an entertainment at the Albert Hall. Miss Macdonald was accommodated at the St. Thomas Hospital.
The Canadian nurses from the first were given military rank with badges from sub-lieutenant up to major. It was a great help to them in their work and was a pity that we were not given the same. It was considered by our authorities that, as the Queen Alexandra nurses did not wear badges, there was no necessity for us to do so. They did not realise that the status of the Queen Alexandra service was so established that it was never disputed.
At last orders came that we were to leave next morning to join the transport Scotian, which was taking troops and medical units to Malta, Gibraltar and Alexandria.
We started off from Paddington Station on the morning of June 3rd 1915.
Miss Beecher was there to see us off, also Sir Thomas McKenzie, and our old friend, Captain Sutcliffe of the s.s. Rotorua. We were all presented with a tiny New Zealand flag in silk, with which to wave farewell, and I remember the guard of the train was so anxious to have one, that some unselfish soul presented him with hers. I wonder if it was myself; I certainly have not that relic in my possession now!
We spent the night at Plymouth, being billeted at an hotel where a number of Queen Alexandra Reserve nurses were also accommodated. After dinner we strolled up to the Hoe, and thought of the great naval battle of long ago.
I forgot to mention that Miss Beecher at the station had asked me if I would take charge of 70 of her nurses who were also being sent on the Scotian. I, of course, agreed, though I felt the responsibility of so many unknown young women would be great. Unfortunately, she gave me no papers, and on arrival at Gibraltar, where a few of the nurses were to land, I had nothing to hand over to the officer who boarded the transport. The papers
Among the Queen Alexandra Reserve nurses, were some New Zealanders, who had enlisted at Home. These were Miss Allan, Matron of the Waipiro Bay Hospital, Miss Williams, from
These were landed at Gibraltar. We were not able to land, much to our regret, as we lay by the port for several hours.
On board the Scotian were also two New Zealand doctors, who had also offered their services independently to the War Office; these were Doctors Acland and Barnett. It was pleasant for us having them on board, especially for the Dunedin and the Christchurch sisters. Dr. Acland was very good coaching the sisters up in much useful knowledge of army procedure—a distinguished surgeon. Dr. Mayo Robson was also a passenger to the East.
On joining the ship, it had been debated whether the sisters should all mess together, or scatter at the tables among the officers. The latter plan was adopted and rendered the dinner hour very pleasant and sociable. Colonel Bulkeley, who was in command of the troops, was very courteous and kind to us. Service was held on deck on the Sunday, and for one afternoon a programme of sports was arranged, in which the sisters took part, and I
We often wondered afterwards how many of the gay young officers we had on that voyage of about a fortnight, survived. They went on to Gallipoli after landing us at Alexandria. After Gibraltar, our next port of call was Malta; we arrived about noon one summer day, and as the ship was to be there till the following day, we were able to have several hours on shore. The Queen Alexandra nurses were to land here, and an officer came off to receive them, asked for the Matron-in-charge, and complained of no papers. I introduced Sister Heinrich, as the Senior and most responsible of the party, so he had to be content with that, but I felt that as I had been requested to take charge of the contingent, I should have been properly provided with essential documents.
Our two New Zealand doctors, Acland and Barnett, also landed here.
However, the difficulty of the papers passed, and we all got ready to go ashore in the little boats which were surrounding the ship.
Landing at the Customhouse Wharf, we then had to ascend by a lift 250 feet to the level of the town. As we were in uniform (our cool grey dresses, scarlet capes and straw hats), we were as “soldiers” charged half price.
Our first visit was to the large Hamoun Hospital, a large technical school, which had been transformed into a military hospital. There we found some New Zealand wounded, and some sick with dysentry or enteric; they were so pleased to see New Zealand nurses, and some of us wished we had been staying on duty there. There
I visited the Naval Hospital and was very kindly received by Miss Greig, the Matron, and shown round the wards. The hospital is beautifully situated, looking over the harbour. It is approached from the water on one side by a long flight of steps at the foot of which one is landed from a dicie or rowing boat. There is a lift to carry patients to the top of the cliff on which the hospital is built.
I spent here a pleasant hour or so, and had tea with the Matron in her comfortable quarters.
The hospital was originally for 300, but had been enlarged to 700 by placing beds in all available space.
I was very much struck with the smart uniforms of the sisters, white drill with scarlet pipings, and cape edged with scarlet and a badge worked in silk and gold, a handkerchief cap with a crown and red cross.
In winter, their uniform is dark blue with red.
We visited the wonderful old Cathedral of St. John, and were fortunate enough to see the famous tapestries which are only hung in the Cathedral once a year.
We spent the evening on the ship and while sitting on deck, two New Zealand doctors, who had just come from the Dardanelles with a ship load of wounded, joined us. The conditions on the transport they described as terrible: no proper provisions were made for the men, many of whom lay on the bare deck in their torn and bloodstained clothes; no proper food for them, ship biscuits and bully beef for men with shattered jaws! Our young doctors
However, this has nothing to do with my life and work.
On 16th June we reached Alexandria; we were eager to get to land, but owing to the congestion of transports leaving, and of hospital ships, we were obliged to lie out in the harbour for 24 hours. I amused myself making some little sketches of what I could see of the town and of the ships and little boats plying about the harbour. In the afternoon of the following day we were berthed; the Matron-in-Chief of that area, Miss Oram, came on board and arranged with me about my fifty nurses. Nurses were very badly needed in Alexandria, where there were several military hospitals very inadequately staffed. One large one, No. 15th General was sent out at first with no matron or nurses, in charge of medical officers only, with a sergeant-major superintending orderlies. The Matron of this hospital was eager to have some of our nurses, and Sister Chalmer with 20 more were detailed here. Much to my surprise, who should come on board, but Fanny Bennett, my old Prince Alfred chum. She was on duty at this same hospital and with her Sister Nelson,
Knowing that these two excellent nurses were on their way to England, I had mentioned them to Miss Beecher, who promised to take them on at once. However, Dr.
Well, after this digression, I will proceed. Miss Oram had arranged that 24 of my contingent should remain in Alexandria. She asked if any had a midwifery certificate, as there was need for a midwifery nurse at a large hospital taken over from the Germans. Poor Miss Buckley was selected for this service, a great surprise, as no nurse offering her services for the war expected to act as midwife. However, that phase soon passed and she had enough and to spare of the work she wished for. Sister Speedy and Sister Fricker also went to this hospital.
Next morning the rest of us had to be ready to start by the train for Cairo, Miss Oram had promised to see that we had our travelling warrants, and we went to the station expecting to meet her there. However, by some mistake, there was no Miss Oram, and no warrants. The train was shortly to depart and there were 26 women with no tickets.
I was in despair, for to have paid for all the fares would have been difficult. At the last moment an officer who had come over with us on the Scotian, saw my difficulty and with great courtesy and kindness went off and
It was a terribly hot day, and of course, we all had our full uniforms on. The train was not very comfortable and was stuffy; the dust was too bad to allow of the windows being opened. What saved our lives were the lovely juicy oranges boys were selling along the line.
We arrived at Cairo about five o'clock and were met at the station by
I went on by myself to the Continental Hotel where Major Holmes told me Dr. Bennett was staying, here I found a pleasant room with a balcony, and I was glad to have a hot bath and change. Dinner was at eight; I found that Dr. Bennett was away on duty as Orderly Officer for the night at the New Zealand Hospital. It was terribly hot still, a hot wind blowing and I was told that it was a Khamseen, which meant great heat and dust.
Dinner was served in the dining hall of the hotel instead of on the open-air place above the street where, as a rule, everyone dined and sat, in the cool of the evening.
After dinner was over, I took an arabeyeh, a low open carriage with one horse, and tore along at the breakneck
Next morning I set forth again, but this time, to visit the hospital, and see the nurses I had sent there. Miss Nurse introduced me to the Matron, Miss Michel, whom she was to succeed in a few days, as soon as our nurses had become acquainted with the many military rules and regulations. Miss Michel was a “regular,” a very charming' and capable woman, as I found on further acquaintance. She was much impressed with our New Zealand nurses and always endeavoured to have some on her staff. After handing over to Miss Nurse, she was to open a large hospital, the 21st general, in the old barracks at Alexandria where some of our succeeding contingents of nurses worked under her, and I, in the course of my duties while in Egypt, met her again several times.
The Port de Koubeh Hospital, when taken over for the New Zealand Forces, had only 250 beds. It was built in pavilion form, with wide verandahs, which allowed of an increase to 300 and over. Also large marquees and hospital tents were pitched on the desert sand of the enclosure in which the hospital stood. The front was a garden with shady trees under which the convalescent patients could sit. There was a separate isolation building which was almost always full with enteric dysentry, and other complaints.
The hospital was right in the desert between Cairo and Heliopolis, and from the flat roof there was a glorious view away to distant hills, which at sunset, take on hues of faint purple, while the sky is rose-pink and crimson.
Looking towards Cairo, too, one could see the outline of the mosques and minarets against the sky. Looking the other way, one could see the beautiful buildings in creamy white, of the new city of Heliopolis, which lies near the site of the ancient city, but was only built about eight years before. Here a great hotel, the resort of the wealthy in times of peace, had been taken over by the Australians, and transformed into a hospital for 1,000 beds. Near by this hotel, also was a great building called Luna Park, which had been turned into a hospital No. 1 auxiliary, and No. 2 auxiliary. The Atelier (workshop) contained over 400 beds in one large hall.
Again near by, in No. 3 auxiliary, a large hospital of open air space, which were tennis courts, etc., lightly covered in, were shelters, merely roofed in with matting, and necessary bath-rooms, etc., added.
As this was not the rainy season, no more permanent protection was needed; all these were under the Australians, and provided over 4,000 beds. The beds, I may say, were the usual Egyptian ones, not too comfortable, rather reminding one of large fruit crates than beds.
On duty in these hospitals, I found several of our New Zealand nurses, who had gone with the Australians. Sister Turnbull, X-ray Sister at the Palace Hospital, White, Verey, Guthrie, among them also, greatly to my surprise and interest, I found on duty at Luna Park, my old friend of the Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Miss Cornwall, who succeeded me as Matron. Truly the world seems small.
To resume about our own hospital, when we arrived ready to take over from Miss Michel, and the English and Australian nurses who had been lent, I was much reproached because we had not sent our own nurses with the troops. Goodness knows, we had been anxious enough to do so, but as I explained, had been told we were not needed. Apparently about the time we were embarking for England, the authorities found we were needed and I was told that General Godley had cabled to have us sent direct to Egypt, but too late, for we were on the high seas in another direction. So much time lost, so much more expense! We felt very keenly the waste on our long journey and almost regretted, though it was not our fault, that we had so much enjoyed our fortnight in London. Had we gone direct to Suez, we should have arrived just when the rush of sick and wounded was most acute.
It was very difficult to find suitable accommodation for the staff. The nurses' quarters originally provided were not nearly enough. Eventually, a house on the desert opposite the hospital was secured. It was necessary to put a guard on at night, and the following verses written by one of the patients shows the estimation in which the soldiers held their own nurses:
At the Continental, where I was for some weeks located there was, as well as at Shepherds, the other chief hotel in Cairo, instituted by the military authorities, a special rate of tariff for all on Army service. This was 10s. per day, much less of course, than the ordinary tourist tariff during the season. Hotels were almost entirely occupied by Army officials. At the Continental were General Ford, the Director-General of Medical Services in Egypt, and his wife. I had many conversations with the General, about our own hospital, especially. He also enquired from me some particulars regarding the various medical officers who were coming from New Zealand. Among others, he asked me about Dr. Acland, and Dr. Barnett, who were to come on from Malta, where we had left them on our voyage to Egypt. They, having joined the British Army Medical Corps, held the rank of Lieutenant only, while some of the New Zealand younger doctors had been sent out with the rank of Captain. This was one of the many anomalies during the War, when for example, an eminent Melbourne surgeon, Mr. Syme, was sent to a measles camp.
I was able to tell General Ford that our two doctors were first class men of great surgical ability and repute; he was glad to have this information.
While I was at the Continental, a special inspecting authority on the medical services generally in Egypt, was sent out from the War Office. I have forgotten his name, but I remember well having a discussion with him about the nursing requirements of our own hospitals, of which he wanted to reduce the staff, and detail some of our sisters to other hospitals. He thought that the sisters should supervise only, and that the actual work of nursing should be done by male orderlies, as was the custom in the regular military hospitals. I argued that men, especially the untrained men retained for orderly service at that time, could not possibly nurse the patients as they should be nursed, and I held to my point that we needed every one of the sisters. I remember saying to him, “New Zealand sent the nurses to care for the men themselves, to work, not to simply supervise.” I am glad to say our nurses were not taken from us.
A very sad event occurred while I was in Cairo. Dr. Savage, of Auckland, arrived as Chief Operating Surgeon to the No. 2 Stationary Hospital, our hospital at Port de Koubbeh. He did one operation at the hospital and then collapsed with cerebro spinal meningitis, of which he died, less than a month after arrival. I saw him once when there was still hope of his recovering. Sister Nutsey, an old
I was somewhat uncertain as to my future movements after my nurses were all stationed at the various hospitals in Egypt. I received no instructions from headquarters either in New Zealand or in England, but General Ford informed me that another contingent of nurses was to arrive shortly and desired that I should wait to receive them. This I was quite ready to do, though as I was receiving no allowance for living expenses, it was a little difficult for me. However, I had some money in hand, so trusted that it would be all right. Colonel Holmes, who was in charge of medical services, also gave me information about nurses coming, and that No. 1 Stationary Hospital was to arrive on the hospital ship Maheno, at
We went to Port Said to see a place that had been offered to New Zealand. It was a Mission School; there was one large school-room which we considered could be used as a ward, but the majority of the patients would have to be provided for in tents on the sand.
The necessary offices, and the accommodation for the medical officers would take all the available space in the building. It was at first intended to take only convalescent cases and six of our second contingent of nurses under Miss Cameron, with orderlies, were to staff it. I had to find a place for the nurses and we found a house conveniently near, which I arranged with the owners to rent. It
While I was waiting there, Colonel McGavin and other medical officers of No. 1 Stationary arrived, also a number of wounded were sent and accommodated in the hospital, which, by this time was ready to receive them. The nurses had not yet arrived, and I went on duty one day assisting Colonel McGavin with dressings; quite a change for me after my being so long out of active nursing work. I hope I was not altogether too stupid! but I was greatly relieved that next day Miss Cameron and some of the 30 nurses despatched with her, arrived. They had just been sent to Alexandria and stationed at the various hospitals where I had already seen Miss Cameron, when I went there from Cairo. Miss Michel was in charge of No. 21st. General Hospital, and was very sorry to part with Miss Cameron and the six nurses who were to go to Port Said.
They had just got the hospital into nice working order, when a sudden influx of patients occurred. A ship-load of sick and wounded arrived at Port Said direct from Gallipoli, and for a few days the staff had to work night and day. Conditions, also working on the sands of the desert in hospital tents, large and well equipped as they were, made it more difficult for the small staff. Fortunately, a number of Canadian nurses arrived in Egypt at this time, and these were sent to reinforce our staff. While there, an unfortunate accident happened to one of these nurses. A primus stove which was being used for sterilizing instruments, exploded and she was rather severely burnt about the face. Fortunately, however, help was at once available and she recovered well.
At this time, the hospital ship arrived with a large number of passenger nurses, fifty, as well as the staff of the ship. Miss Brooke was in charge of the hospital staff, and of the passenger nurses,
I went on board to meet the nurses and, of course, met the Commanding Officer; I. was surprised to be asked regarding the status of the nursing service, and informed him that the Minister of Defence had announced that the nurses were to rank as officers. This seemed greatly to annoy the Colonel and his Adjutant, and they actually refused to believe me. I had nothing with me to confirm my statement and it was only later that I found out the cause of their incredulity. Much to my indignation, I found that the passenger nurses had been treated with the greatest lack of consideration and courtesy, so much so, that they were expected to wait entirely upon themselves, even to getting their meals from the galley, cleaning their bathrooms, etc. Miss Willis had refused to go on under these conditions and threatened to land at Adelaide and report to headquarters. The Colonel then allotted stewards to them, and matters were better, but of course, it was impossible to forget their first treatment. Long after I returned to New Zealand, the Colonel reopened the question and I was able, by reference to the Minister of Defence himself, to convince him that nurses were regarded as officers.
This, of course, was a very disagreeable incident, but in the stress of real work, was soon, if not forgotten, at least put aside. More than one of the New Zealand medicos, when dressed up as soldiers, ignored the claims of the
While on this subject, I may as well give an account of a conference of medical officers in New Zealand called by the late General Henderson, the D.G.M.S. As military hospital concerns were to be discussed, I was called upon to attend and one of the matters brought up was the status of the nurses in the N.Z. Army. It had already been put up in orders both in England and New Zealand, and they were to rank as officers, and were entitled to the salute. They were to rank immediately after the medical officers and above the non-commissioned officers, and were entered as officers in the Army list. This was satisfactory as far as it went, but was constantly overlooked or denied and was the cause often of difficulty to the sisters. I spoke at this conference, pointing out the difficulties and that the Australian nurses and the Canadians wore their stars. A sub-committee was then appointed to consider the question and report, the members being Col. Wylie, Col. Valintine, myself and another doctor. This committee approved of the badges of rank being worn and recommended that the Matron-in-Chief should rank as Colonel, the principal matrons as Majors, the matrons as Captains, the sisters as Lieutenants, and should wear the appropriate badges. This, of course, was very satisfactory to me, but what became of the recommendation I do not know. The
Well this has been a long digression. The Port Said Hospital was now fully staffed, some of the nurses were sent to the Egyptian Government Hospital at
A sad accident happened at Port Said at the Nurses' Home. Sister Jeffery lost her eye. She was sitting on a stairway leading to the front door, when another nurse opened a window above, the corner of which struck her eye.
Whilst being on the canal, it was interesting to see the evidences of the fight there. The trenches and dug-outs were still to be seen. There were camps in various places of Indian soldiers mostly. Staying in Port Said one is awakened at daybreak by the tramp of horse and rattle of waggons passing down the main street, and one could see from the balcony off our room long lines of troops bringing their horses up from their morning dip in the sea.
Everything being now arranged at
One of my earliest visits soon after arrival had been to the Citadel, where Sisters Nixon, Moore and Inglis were. The Matron, then Miss Todd, was very nice and invited me to tea in her own quarters.
This Citadel is the original hospital used for the Army of Occupation. It is an ancient palace and once used by Napoleon. From it is a wonderful view over the city, with mosques and minarets close by. Leaving here one day, I visited a large mosque, leaving my shoes at the door and putting on the slippers without which people were not allowed to enter. Eight of our contingent of nurses were detailed here on first arrival, but afterwards drafted out to other hospitals in Cairo and to our own hospital.
Another hospital in which New Zealand nurses were stationed was the Infectious Diseases Hospital at Shoubra, near Cairo.
I have already mentioned the Heliopolis Palace Hospital, No. 1 Australian General. I used to visit this
No. 1 Auxiliary Luna Park, No. 2 and No. 3 Auxiliary I have mentioned before.
Another large Australian Hospital was No. 2 General established in the Regina Palace Hotel, on the banks of the Nile. Nearly 1,000 patients were taken. The large halls made fine wards, and there were many smaller rooms useful for hospital purposes. There were many fine bathrooms and lavatories and several operating theatres. The grounds were extensive and adjacent were the public gardens, where one could see patients strolling about attired only in pyjamas. Miss Gould, who was formerly Matron of the Sydney Hospital, and who was in charge of the Australian nurses during the South African War, was in charge here.
I knew her of course, in Sydney, and she kindly invited me to dinner one evening. I enjoyed meeting the Australian nurses, and was rather amused at the fact that dinner was served with camp equipment, enamel plates, mugs, etc.
Another hospital I visited was the Red Cross Hospital at Ghizel; this hospital contained 300 beds, and was established in a large Government school, beautifully fitted up and equipped. As I was leaving
Another hospital I visited was the Anglo-American Hospital at Cairo; it was mainly a private hospital of about 40 beds; standing in beautiful grounds. Until our own hospital was ready, some of the New Zealand officers were sent there; Miss Nurse had at one time been on duty at this hospital.
The Egyptian Government Hospital, Cairo, was established in an old barrack building, and intended for the Arab population, but during the War, arrangements had been made to reserve it mainly for the wounded. One New Zealand nurse, not attached to us, was working there. It was a scattered and unwieldy place to manage.
Hazarea schools had been taken over by the Military as an adjunct to the Citadel Hospital. Sisters Nixon and Curtis were sent in charge of large divisions; when I visited there, it was in course of transformation into a hospital of 800 beds, but there were then only 300 patients in.
The Convalescent Hospital at Helouan had two New Zealand sisters nursing. Sisters Margaret Nixon and Brownlow, who had gone to Egypt at their own expense.
Several other places I visited among others, one called the School Hospital at
Just as I was leaving Egypt, a Canadian stationary hospital with 20 sisters was in the course of establishment at Abbasich, near our own hospital.
Although not opened until after I had left Egypt, I must mention the very homelike convalescent hospital which in October, 1915, was established at Zeetoun, a short distance from
This voluntary unit was taken out from Wanganui and was under the charge of Sister Early, assisted by Nurses Booth and Hughes, all three from
All those who had the benefit of a stay at this Home were most enthusiastic about the comfort and homelike atmosphere prevailing there. “Aotea,” a home from home, it was called. The three nurses were enlisted in the N.Z.A.N.S. The expense of establishment were borne privately, but the Government paid something for the maintenance of each patient.
I paid one or two visits to Alexandria; there was no difficulty about my travelling warrants. I was always able to obtain these from the New Zealand office;
Well, I went off to
So far our sisters had not made use of their camp equipment, rather to the disappointment of some!
I had a pleasant few days at Alexandria going about to the various hospitals and seeing many of the New Zealand sisters. Four contingents had arrived since the original one, so there were about 150 nurses from New Zealand then in Egypt, besides those on the hospital ships and transports.
No. 15th General was the first of the new hospitals to be opened by the Imperial authorities on the outbreak of hostilities in the Dardanelles. It is in an Egyptian Government school, and the large classroom dormitories, and kitchen made it easily adaptable as a hospital. A great deal had been done in fitting up operating theatres, X-ray rooms and administration offices. A separate building was used for officers and a large number of patients were in tents and marquees. Twenty of our nurses were sent here from the first contingent and others from the second. One thousand to 1,200 patients can be taken, and when I visited there were 90 trained nurses. A “regular” army matron, Miss Grierson was in charge.
A great many New Zealand patients were nursed here and were very glad to have New Zealand nurses.
No. 17th General Hospital in a large college at Victoria, had accommodation for 1,800 patients, many under canvas. Twenty of our nurses were there when I left Egypt.
All the medical staff were under canvas, also a number of the nurses, who as well, were living in two houses. The nursing staff was 100.
No. 19th General Hospital was built by Germans and staffed by German deaconesses. It was taken over in June 1915; originally for 1,000 patients. Three of our sisters were sent here, Sisters Buckley, Fricker, Speedy; Sister Bilton, not attached to New Zealand service, was also there.
No. 21st General Hospital is the one to which Miss Michel was transferred when our own staff took over the Port de Koubbeh Hospital. Fifteen sisters of the second contingent of 30 sisters under Miss Cameron, were sent here. I spent a pleasant time here; Miss Michel invited me to lunch, and I was able to see all our nurses.
Later, as I said before, Miss Cameron and several others were sent to
Many New Zealand soldiers were nursed here, the nursing staff was very mixed, there were English, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand sisters. Orderlies had to be depended on for some of the nursing work, and the sisters found our New Zealand orderlies much more useful than the untrained ones from Home. All the trained orderlies had early in the War gone to the Front.
The climate was exceedingly trying for the strenuous work our nurses had; it was quite common to see even the commanding officers of the hospitals going their rounds in their Khaki shirts, which would be soaked through. The sisters' uniforms also showed signs of the great heat. Fortunately in Alexandria, they were able to bathe frequently in the sea.
One interesting visit I made was to the Convalescent, or Rest Home for sisters, at Aboukir, which was lent by a gentleman who had it as a seaside resort. There was a
Reaching there, I found Sister Pengelly and one or two-New Zealand sisters as well as a number of others. Shortly we were all in the water of the Bay, in which the famous Battle of Nelson took place so long ago.
I was still a little dubious as to my swimming power, but found I could get along quite well. The water was buoyant and moored not far away was a raft, to which we made and scrambled on to to rest, while rowing about ready to rescue any failing one was an Arab in a boat.
This was an ideal place for rest and recuperation. The Matron of one of the Alexandria Hospitals was there, who had recently recovered from typhoid.
While in Alexandria, I was taken by Major Green of the Salvation Army, to visit a transport, on which a number of wounded and sick were being taken Home. Among them was the matron mentioned above, and a number of nurses.
At Alexandria, I had the pleasure of seeing my nephew Alan, who was in the Ambulance Corps of the Australians, and was on leave.
The visits to so many hospitals, of course, occupied some of my time, but I did not feel that I was really needed in Egypt. Miss Oram, the Imperial Matron-in-Chief for that area, was able to make any arrangements regarding our nurses which, after the first were needed.
The news I had heard by the sisters arriving in the various hospital ships and transports from New Zealand of outbreaks of sickness in our camps at Trentham, and elsewhere, and also the growing need of more nurses made me feel that my place was at headquarters; so I made up my mind that this was no time to be taking the leave I had been granted, and that I had better return to New Zealand as soon as possible.
I had moved from the Continental to Heliopolis, where I had quarters in the Villa Montrose, where Miss Bell, the Supervising Matron of the Australian nurses, was living. Miss Bell was an old Prince Alfred trainee, and afterwards, before she became Matron of Melbourne Hospital, had been a Sub-Matron at Edinburgh Infirmary. She went to Egypt in charge of a contingent of Australian nurses and was at first in charge of Mena House Hospital, but later was appointed by General Ford, as Supervising Matron of all the Australian nurses in Egypt. In this office she very much handicapped by the actual hostility of some of the Australian Medical Officers.
These men would not co-operate with Miss Bell, not even informing her when fresh reinforcements of nurses were to arrive, and hampered her work so greatly that she demanded to be sent back to Australia to resume her civil work. I thought it would be a good thing for me to go at the same time, and Colonel Fenwick agreed to arrange this for me; with the result that the Australians offered to give me a free passage back in the same transport as Miss Bell was to sail by.
I should mention some of the pleasures I experienced in Egypt; busy as the time was the sisters had some relaxations and usually wanted me to join with them. It being the season of very hot weather, it was not the time for distant excursions over the desert to Luxor, and other places. Miss Bell and I discussed the question of going, but felt that war-time was not the time for such expeditions even if the weather had been more favourable.
However, among the various trips I had was one with Sister Nixon and Sister Inglis to the Pyramids. We went out by the train and then mounted camels with great trepidation at first, but I found I quite liked the motion, and would have liked to have taken a longer ride. We dismounted at the great Pyramid, and the Arab escorting us persuaded us to go inside, so we went in but really saw nothing worth the exertion. We then remounted and went to view the Sphinx—an impressive sight. The evening before we left Egypt, Miss Bell and I determined to see the Sphinx by moonlight, so we and another friend took some sandwiches and went out and sat on the sands watching the moon rise and cast her light to illuminate the features of this inscrutable image.
Whatever my impressions were they have faded from my mind during this long period, anyway, we had an
One expedition I remember with great pleasure was a trip by steamer up the Nile. This was arranged for the New Zealand hospital staff by Padre Macdonald. We started about 10 a.m. and had our lunch on board the boat. Miss Nurse and several of the sisters were with us, also some of the medical officers, altogether quite a pleasant party, but I forget of whom composed. I took my paints and sketch block and was able to get a number of impressions as we went along. It was a lovely day—hot, but under the awning quite bearable, and the scenery all along the banks of the river made me forget the heat. The picturesque dahabeyahs with their lantern sails and pointed prows loaded with hay and lemons were constantly passing us. We halted for an hour or so at the landing for Memphis, and some of the men of our party got donkeys and rode to see the collosal statues.
I sketched a flock of sheep and their Arab shepherd coming down to the river to drink. Children came down with their bright blue, green and yellow garments. Women with all black draperies but rows and rows of brightly coloured irridescent bead necklaces.
The return trip in the fast fading Eastern sunset was lovely. I still have the sketches made that day, and they remind me of my pleasure.
Visits to the Egyptian museum were very interesting, I went several times; the mummies of the great Pharoahs and their queens in the upper hall there, were very extraordinary, and it is wonderful to think that they lived and moved as ourselves thousands of years ago. Of course, we went to the “Mouski”—saw there the brass workers, carpet makers, etc. I could only make small purchases
At the Villa Montrose where there were a number of officers, and some of their wives staying, dinner was always outside in the open air which was very enjoyable after the heat of the day. Sometimes in the evening we went to a picture show, also in the open air. The arrangements for the sisters for off-duty hours were alternated, one long day and one short day when they went off duty after lunch for the remainder of the day. Owing to the climate, the matrons arranged these hours, and on the short day, the sisters could rest and go out in the cooler part of the day. Dinner was always at 8 p.m. The sisters had their own mess, paying for it out of their daily allowance; this permitted of a diet chosen by themselves. Fruit, of course, formed a great part of the diet, melons were delicious; I remember always starting my breakfast with a melon. Another delicious and plentiful fruit was the fig.
Talking of the duty hours, leave was of course, curtailed when a fresh convoy of wounded came in, most of the staff then returned to duty or remained on, and did
I was often sorry that I was not on active service myself, but felt that I had been so long out of such work that I might be more hindrance than help.
I hope that my presence in Egypt, and my constant visits to our hospitals may have helped at least by advice and sympathy in their many difficulties.
Miss Oram suggested that she might arrange for me to go back by transport to England, but I did not feel free to accept her offer.
While I was in Egypt, the second transport of sick and wounded were to be despatched to New Zealand, I had to select the sisters to go with it. The first transport had left while we were still on our way, and Australian nurses had been sent with it. These nurses on arrival in New Zealand were given a good time by the Government during their stay. They were given free passes over the railways and entertained quite royally. Our own nurses were glad that they were ready for duty with the next lot of wounded. The Tahiti was the ship going; I detailed Sisters Elizabeth Nixon and Janet Moore. Sister Nixon on that voyage met her future husband, the chief officer, so always tells me I sent her to her fate!
The poor old Tahiti, which recently came to a sad end near Raratonga, where she went down, made many trips during the War, one very disastrous one during the influenza epidemic in 1918, when acting as transport, men died like flies; all the medical officers were ill and some of the nurses, and the remaining few nurses had to carry on alone. Sister Maxfield, who was in charge was afterwards mentioned in despatches. One sister was landed in England very ill and died soon after.
I was grieved to say good-bye to Egypt and all the sisters. I left instructions with Miss Nurse that she was to, as far as possible, take my place, and occasionally travel to the other hospitals where our nurses were on duty at
Miss Bell and I left by train to Euripedes, the officers there knew nothing of my coming. Whether this was his fault or the fault of the Australian Office, not notifying the Commanding Officer on the Euripedes, I never ascertained. However, Miss Bell was able to state that arrangements had been made, and that as Matron-in-Chief of the New Zealand Nursing Service, I had been given a free passage to Australia, so I was taken on as a passenger. There was no cabin allotted to me, but Miss Bell kindly offered to share hers. We were both passengers on a condition that if our services were required we could be called upon. However, there was quite a sufficient staff of sisters on board for duty so we were not needed.
The voyage was long and rather dull. We remained at Suez for a day or so after we joined the ship, so I took the opportunity of visiting the Military Hospital at Suez and found a New Zealand nurse, Sister Lalla Miller, on duty there.
Everyone else but ourselves on board having some definite duty to perform, Miss Bell and I kept to ourselves almost entirely. We used to spend our days on the top deck reading and working. I read the whole of Carlyle's French Revolution during the voyage. Much to our regret we did not call at any ports, passing far south of Colombo,
In Sydney I had a few days with my own people before the boat left for New Zealand, and I arrived back at Wellington on October 11th, six months almost to the day from the time I left with my 50 nurses.
I received a hearty return welcome back by my chief, Dr. Valintine, and my assistant Miss Bicknell, and was quickly plunged again into my departmental work. First, I was taken by Dr. Valintine up to Defence Headquarters to be introduced to the Director-General of Medical Services, General Henderson, who had arrived to take that position while I was away. I found him a courteous, elderly gentleman, who was quite pleased to receive my report on our hospitals in Egypt, and who in all my later association with him, treated me with the utmost consideration and kindness.
I had on the voyage written out a report on the hospitals in Egypt, in which New Zealand nurses were on duty, and where New Zealand soldiers were being treated, so that this was ready. I had also written a general report on conditions in Egypt and this was published in the newspapers, and served to remove an impression that women other than nurses were required to work in our hospitals.
I found work in our department very busy indeed, already another hospital ship was being equipped, the Marama, and the staff to be selected as well as a contingent of 48 nurses and a masseuse. On this ship, Miss Broun, of Auckland, went as Matron.
Before this was fixed up, however, on the evening of October 24th, I received a telephone message from the
Dominion paper saying a cable had come through saying that the transport taking the No. 1 New Zealand Stationary Hospital to
I was horrified by this terrible news. When leaving Egypt, I knew that the No. 1 Stationary Hospital was to be transferred to Salonika, but not that it had actually left.
It was not till some time later on, that we learnt details of the disaster and the names of those lost.
These were: Marion Brown, Margaret Rogers, Isabel Clark, Catherine Fox, Mary Gorman, Mabel Jamieson, Nora Hildegard, Helena Isdell, Mary Rae, Lorna Rattray.
Miss Cameron, who was in charge as matron, was very seriously injured (in fact she has never entirely recovered, and is still on pension and in a private hospital in Sydney).
In the papers at Home, allusion was made to the heroism of the sisters when they were being picked up by the rescuing boats, in wishing the soldiers, the “fighting men,” to be taken first; the sisters however, disclaimed this. An enquiry was held on H.M.S. Talbot, at which two of the sisters were called to give their evidence and I understand that some censure was expressed. The sisters and some of the medical officers were sent back to Alexandria on the hospital ship Grantully Castle.
It appeared a strange thing that the valuable hospital equipment, as well as the more valuable lives should have been risked on an ordinary transport, which was conveying soldiers and munitions of war, when constantly hospital ships were coming and going from Alexandria.
The torpedoeing of the Marquette, being a transport was quite within the rights of the enemy, and at that time hospital ships were not being attacked. This loss of our sisters and hospital orderlies was the first and possibly the most disastrous of the many at sea, which afterwards occurred. My regret at not being in Egypt to meet my poor nurses on their return to Alexandria was very great, and I hoped that Miss Nurse had gone in my place; but afterwards learnt they were met by Miss Oram.
Of course, the various nurses stationed at Alexandria did visit them as soon as they could, and did all they could for them, and the New Zealand authorities gave them at once an allowance to replace their lost equipment, also many private donations were given them for extra comforts, but they could not replace all they had lost. Miss Cameron was very ill with pneumonia and also with some injury which caused paralysis, and was sent to the Deaconess Hospital at Alexandria, a German hospital taken over, where some of our sisters were, until later she was transferred to our own hospital at Cairo, and afterwards she was brought back to New Zealand. Later on she was sent to the Prince of Wales Military Hospital in Sydney to be near her relatives, and is now in a convalescent hospital at North Sydney.
Several other sisters were injured more or less, and one had typhoid and was a long time invalided, and all felt the shock of the loss of their friends.
In a few weeks letters arrived from several of the sisters, giving pathetic accounts of their sufferings and of the way some succumbed to the exhaustion caused by exposure and immersion in the water. Several of the boats were unseaworthy and constantly turned turtle, when the occupants bad to right them and clamber in again, while
Reading over again the letters received from the surviving sisters, which were published in the January, 1916, number of Kai Tiaki, revives the deep feeling of sorrow and sympathy with which they were first read, and the admiration for the bravery of the girls who underwent the long ordeal of eight or nine hours before they were rescued.
It was never known how some of the ten sisters met their end, but some time after, two of them were found dead in a boat which had drifted ashore.
In some of the letters I received, details were given of how they clung to rafts and saw the men drop off into the sea and die, while they, with greater endurance held on, even in one case a sister, supporting the body of her friend who had died of heart failure and exposure, until she thought her own end was coming. Some went just as the French destroyers which came to the rescue were approaching.
It is amazing to think that after this sad experience, not one of the sisters wished to give up their work and all continued to serve for the remainder of the War.
Soon letters commenced to arrive from some of the surviving sisters and made one feel even more vividly what the poor girls had suffered. I will transcribe one of these letters which gives a very graphic account of the disaster.
After relating the departure of the No. 1 Stationary Hospital contingent on the Marquette, a huge ship, and saying how proud they were to be travelling to Salonika with a big British ammunition column (little realising that that fact was most probably the reason for the enemy to torpedo the ship).
“It was all very nice and very comfortable indeed, the Imperial officers were so good to us. No. 1 New Zealand Stationary Hospital felt very much the honour that had been conferred on it, by being sent to so important a field. There were rumours of torpedoes of course, and we had life-belt drill for two days, but we hardly took it seriously I am afraid. On Friday we were picked up by a convey, a French torpedo destroyer, and I think we girls were only then aware that they were afraid for the Marquette, and even then took it for granted that it was only precautionary on account of our very valuable cargo of mules, etc., and the destroyer left us that night.
At breakfast next morning, they told us we would be in port by mid-day, so the danger seemed past, and we were mostly enjoying a brisk walk on deck, as it was very cold and we felt it after Egypt, when the crash came. It was simply awful, and no one had any doubts and several saw the periscope quite near. We all rushed for our life-belts. Everyone was calm, and although men and girls alike were as white as sheets, no one cried or spoke even, except to give orders. We had had our places at the boats detailed to us, but it was then the trouble arose. They were not managed properly and the ropes refused to act. We were, however, put into the boats, and the next minute we were floundering in the sea, and the Marquette seemed to be tipping right over on top of us.
Some of them struck out, but to me, and those quite near me, an absolute miracle happened. In what seemed barely a second, a wave had washed us right aft, past the very end of the boat; I'll never understand that part, as she was a huge boat, and we were at the other end. It was all pretty awful then for a while, and then the Marquette sank as if she had been a tiny cockleshell, and so quietly. There was no explosion and that also was a miracle. After a
Marquette life-boats or be picked up by them, but it was a doubtful blessing for they were almost under water, and kept tipping over and over. One sister sat on an upturned boat with a couple of men all the time. The awfulness of being tipped out so often terrified and exhausted others. In all, we found that ten of our sisters had gone—nearly all we knew to have
Our matron was very ill, and we did think for a few days she could not possibly recover, but she is better now. There is so much I have felt tempted to write but then I have not.
The censor would only score it out.
We were in Salonika till Friday evening; on Wednesday, all the survivors got orders to go ashore, we were billeted in two hotels.
To-day (Monday), we will be in Alexandria, and such a sad coming back. We are experienced soldiers now, and should, I daresay, feel proud, but I am only a tin soldier.
Strange that we should have had All Saints Day services yesterday. It helped to comfort us for those who have gone.”
A letter written to me by the Medical Officer who was in charge of the 18 nurses on the starboard side gives a graphic account of what happened.
“All the nurses went to the alarm post without any panic or excitement and marched to the boats with the most admirable cheerfulness and discipline possible. I was with the party of them on the starboard side, and all of them got into the boat safely, but as only some inexperienced soldiers were lowering it, one end fell more quickly than the other, and five of them fell out before it could be righted. All these, however, were got into boats or rafts and four of them ultimately were saved, but Sister Rogers, though picked up, was missing in the evening when we were rescued. A couple of days later, a boat was found on the beach with the bodies of two nurses (one having a gold watch with Margaret Rogers on it, and the other having a disc with her number, unknown by us now, as our
We pulled away from the Marquette, and got well behind her before she took the final plunge, but the boat proved very unseaworthy, and leaked all over, so that before very long she was full of water, and with the swell, was unwieldy and capsized. When we got round the boat and got her righted again, we had only got six of the nurses. Sisters Rae, Wilin, Young, McCosh-Smith, Christmas and Hildegard! The next capsize, Sister Christmas floated away, beyond reach, but got on to the rudder, and managed to hang on all day. I think possibly Sister Hildegard was hurt by the boat, as the next time we got it righted she fell forward—dead. The next capsize, we lost Sister Rae, who floated away beyond reach, and was last seen in company with a soldier who had a lifebuoy. She was not picked up by the French destroyer. This left us with only three nurses, and I attached myself especially to Sister Wilkin who seemed most done up, and as we drifted nearer to the shore, we had not so much swell, and for the last three hours we managed to keep from capsizing any more.
When a boat came alongside us about 5 p.m., we were able to transfer the sisters to the Lynn, and then wait till some French boats took us in tow to their vessel.
We were torpedoed at 9.3 a.m., and the Marquette sank in 13 minutes, so it was a long day in the water. Fortunately it was neither too bright, nor too cold; of the 18 sisters, we had on the starboard side, I think Sisters Rogers, Rae and Hildegard were the only ones lost, and of these I have given you an account.
Of their conduct as a whole, no words can express our admiration. They mustered quickly and quietly at their alarm post, and cheerfully and without the least confusion or panic, passed along the deck to their boat, and never
What happened to those (18) on the port side, I do not know, but understand that they were got into the boats and that the boats fouled each other and several were injured.
Miss Cameron and most of the nurses were taken by the French destroyers to the French Hospital ship Canada, and we shall never forget the kindness shown us on board. Miss Cameron was exceedingly ill, and collapsed and would have died, but for the unremitting attention given by the French Medical Officers. The great strain of their experience had naturally a considerable nervous reaction, and all the nurses were sent back to Alexandria. I expect some of your nurses will be writing you fuller particulars, but I thought you would like to have at least a semi-official statement.”
In relation to the nurses on the port side, although the medical officer responsible for them thought they had all left the ship, and got into boats, this was not the case. A sister wrote that “While standing on the deck, I saw a boat load of men in uniform getting away. I wondered why we nurses were left on deck, without a chance of getting into a boat. I really owe my life to the chief officer of the Marquette, he picked me up during the afternoon and put me in a boat. Perhaps on the starboard side the nurses may have all got into boats; but not on the port side. Sisters Brown and Clark got a few steps down the gangway, took each other's hands and jumped into the sea. Sister Coster and myself did not get off the deck, we both helped two sick orderlies on to the gangway, and in doing so lost our chance of going down.”
Many stories were told at the time, which caused great trouble and doubt, but I will not give more in this record.
Although personally, I had no knowledge of the hospitals in which our nurses worked in England, France and other parts of the world, I feel this record of their doings would be incomplete without a short survey.
When we first landed in England, even the Walton-on-Thames Hospital had not been established. It was opened by the War Contingent Association to admit New Zealand soldiers from Gallipoli, on August 1st, 1915. At that time, Miss Tombe, R.R.C., of Dunedin, was Matron, and several New Zealand nurses in London at the time were associated with her.
The hospital was situated not far from London, and stood within most beautiful grounds, on the banks of the Thames.
It was with joy that New Zealand soldiers found themselves in a hospital run by their own countrymen and women. Here, when convalescing, they had many recreations, boating, swimming, and watching the river with its interesting procession of boats passing up and down.
Later the Military authorities of the N.Z. Expeditionary Force took over this hospital from the War Contingent Association, and it became No. 2 New Zealand General Hospital.
Before this change took place, Miss Tombe had retired from the matronship, and Miss Thurston had been offered
An adjunct to this hospital was Oatlands Park, especially used for medical limbless and tuberculosis cases. Sister Pengelly was in charge of this hospital and returned with them to New Zealand.
Brockenhurst Hospital was the hospital to which the Staff of the Port de Koubeh Hospital in Egypt was transferred with Miss Bertha Nurse, R.R.C., as Matron.
It was the No. 1 New Zealand General Hospital, and consisted of several sections—the Lady Hardinge Hospital, Balmer Lawn, and Forest Park, and some auxiliary hospitals, such as the Morant Convalescent Home, in the village.
The sisters in charge of these different sections among others, were Miss A. Inglis, Miss Moore and Miss Buckley, who have pleasant recollections of arduous but interesting work, and of interludes of recreation in the New Forest which was near enough for picnics, to which they often took their convalescent patients.
After Miss Nurse returned to New Zealand, Miss
Colonel Wylie was the commanding officer.
Codford Hospital was the next taken over by the New Zealand authorities shortly after Brockenhurst This hospital
Sister Nixon, and later Sister McNie, were in charge. Colonel McLean, and later Colonel Buchanan, in command.
Hornchurch was another hospital for New Zealand soldiers, and was mainly used for convalescents. Massage and electrical treatment were greatly used here, and our massage sisters were needed greatly. Sister Cora Anderson was matron for some time, and, before she went to Walton on Thames, Sister Fanny Wilson was here.
There were at Brighton two convalescent homes, one for officers and one for sisters. The two houses were given gratuitously to New Zealand. They were beautifully situated, overlooking the sea, and with fine gardens, with tennis courts and sea bathing and boating were available for the Patients. Our sisters have many pleasant recollections of the Brighton Home. Sister Speedy was for some time in charge, and later Sister Chalmer.
The following sketch, written by Sister Willis, gives an interesting account of the work in France.
“Twenty-seven sisters and staff nurses left England on July 30th, 1916, to join the staff of the No. 1 New Zealand Stationary Hospital at Amiens, France, some fifteen miles from the front line.
“This hospital had been without sisters while in Salonika from the time of the Marquette disaster.
“After a couple of days spent in Boulogne, the party was divided, one half going to a British hospital at Abbeville, and the other half to Amiens to the No. 1 Stationary Hospital.
“The trip to Amiens took twelve hours instead of the customary four, owing to the bombing of the railway line just ahead of the train.
“The hospital was in two buildings, the main portion of 350 beds was in part of a convent, ‘St. Famille,’ just above the station, where the more serious cases were admitted, and half in the Lycee Girls' School, a few blocks away, which could accommodate 380 beds. A little later a third school was opened as an officers' hospital, with 100 beds.
“For nearly ten months the No. 1 Stationary Hospital was used as a casualty clearing station in conjunction with other British hospitals some distance out, and also for the serious cases from the barges on the Somme which could not travel.
“From here, when work slackened, surgical teams, consisting of a surgeon, an anaesthetist, a sister, and one, perhaps two, men, were sent up to casualty clearing stations for the big offensive. It was here that Major A. A. Martin was brought when so desperately wounded.
“The patients here were British, some fifty German prisoners and some Belgian soldiers.
“After ten months at Amiens the Stationary Hospital was transferred to Hazebrouck with a bed status of 1,040, which occupied two schools and a field of tents.
“Here another very busy spell was experienced, as in conjunction with other British hospitals it acted as a casuality clearing station, taking up to 300 to 400 patients alternately with them. In addition, it did most of the head work of the Second Army, and it was a remarkable sight to look down the head ward of 60 beds. A well-known American head surgeon was attached to the staff here.
“While at Hazebrouck the staff had the joy of nursing their own men for the first time, as the New Zealand Division was near-by, and as many had relations in the Division they were never without visitors, when off duty.
“When able, the staff attended the Divisional and other sports and concerts, and one never-to-be-forgotten day the sisters entertained the Divisional and other officers at a garden party in the pretty grounds of their quarters, which were very comfortable, large and airy.
“After a few months' work here, the town was heavily shelled, and the hospital had to be evacuated, and between 7 p.m. and midnight 1,000 to 1,200 patients were sent down the line. The sisters left the next morning for St. Omer, where some worked in other hospitals and some went on leave until their unit could be established.
“While at Hazebrouck the night air raids were frequent, and patients, orderlies and nursing staff had some narrow escapes from injury in the canvas section of the hospital. Sisters and orderlies wore tin hats while on duty.
“The hospital was erected at Wisques on top of a hill three miles from St. Omer. Here everyone was under canvas until Nissen huts were erected. The ground was very marshy and a black tarred tarpaulin was laid down for floor coverings, consequently the orderlies, and more particularly the sisters, suffered bitterly from chilblains and trench feet. Indeed many of the sisters' feet were as bad, if not worse, than some of their patients, and they deserved the greatest praise for the way they carried on when suffering such agony for the first hour or two of the mornings. All their off-duty time was spent doctoring up their feet and resting.
“The sisters' quarters were near a wood and amongst the scrub, connected with the hospital tents by duck-boards,
“For several months the hospital took medical cases, during which time things were fairly quiet at the Front. But air raids were very frequent, and a hospital nearby was badly hit one night and several of the nursing sisters and orderlies and aids were killed. Towards the end of their stay at Wisques and until the hospital was evacuated, it was kept very busy.
“The personnel was changed frequently, and practically all the original officers and men had gone up the line, P.B. men taking the place of the orderlies and fresh sisters relieving those who had been in France a year.”
Service in France was eagerly sought. Sister Price, R.R.C., and Sister Brooke, R.R.C., were the matrons successively in charge of this hospital.
Casualty clearing station work was most interesting; the stations were staffed with what is known as “surgical teams,” consisting of a surgeon, an anaesthetist, a sister, and an orderly. These stations were near the firing lines and dealt with the wounded as quickly as possible, sending them on to the base hospitals.
Several of our sisters served in these stations, and were proud of the opportunity. Life was exciting owing to the air raids. The enemy planes came over every clear night, and the sisters were provided with tin helmets and gas masks, and were supposed to go straight to shelter in their dug-outs, or to lie flat on the ground.
In one raid a New Zealand nurse, Sister Kemp, not belonging to our unit, an orderly, and two patients were killed.
Sister Margaret Davies acted as anaesthetist, a number of our sisters, about five, were specially trained in
In a letter I received from a New Zealand sister in France is an account of experiences in an air raid. Nine W.A.A.C.'s (Women's Army Auxiliary Corps) were killed, and Sister goes on to say:
“If anything happens to us it is different, for we are doing our own work, and it is ‘in the game’ for us. We go into trenches at night dressed in tin hats, pyjamas, bed socks, and a few warm coats, cushions, rugs, ground sheets, camp stools, thermos flasks and sandwiches.
“No one showed it, even if the ‘wind’ was up—the only time the chatter would cease would be when the bombs were dropping close, or when we heard a shell descending, or, most of all, when we looked up and saw the German plane right overhead caught by the searchlight.”
The New Zealand sisters had a very varying experience in the war, some being lent to the Imperial authorities were sent to many of the fields of war. We have records of service on the Imperial ships going to the Peninsula, to German East Africa, Mesopotamia. They were with units bringing refugees from Siberia; with Indian troops to Bombay; on hospital trains in Egypt, and going to Palestine.
Away in India, at a station called Wellington, was Sister Trask; stationed at a hospital in German East Africa were Sisters Cormack and Barnett, where they heard the lions roar quite near.
One sister wrote from the Persian Gulf, on her way to
“Is there any wonder we were run down in a few days? They gave us champagne and special beef tea—we got nasty pains in the left side, and could at times hardly lift our feet to get to our cabins to lie down for a quarter of an hour's rest, for without this rest we could not have carried on.
“We had many heat strokes among the patients, stewards, engineers and crew, and the only way to save their lives was to get them into packs or baths, and give them plenty of iced drinks with stimulant and to keep going till we saw signs of consciousness. We lost twenty-one patients in four days, and some only ill for a few hours.
“On our arrival at
Another sister wrote of hospital ship duty: “We arrived at Gallipoli for the
Again another sister wrote of the refugee Serbians: “We took over 300 sick Serbians, and oh! the condition of them was pitiful; you could hardly believe men could get so low and live; they were so dirty and the body lice awful. There were over 60 deaths in a three days' run.”
These few extracts from the many letters I received from sisters serving outside our own hospitals, and hospital ships, show how very varied were their experiences.
Soon after I returned I found that a movement was on foot, started by a Christchurch woman, to send a number of untrained women away to Egypt to act as nurses in our hospital there. She had stated that we were short of nurses, and had appealed for subscribers to finance the expedition. She had obtained a certain amount of financial support, and was endeavouring to obtain the aid of the Government in sending this contingent of about 25.
Dr. Valintine, who was then acting in a military capacity, as Colonel Valintine, seemed inclined to assist. She had a most persuasive manner, and put forth her views in a convincing way. The Nurses' Association, headed by Miss Thurston, the Matron of the Christchurch Hospital, addressed a protest to Dr. Valintine against sending the unqualified women (as it happened, two qualified nurses had joined, but one withdrew), and I just arrived in time to show that as plenty of V.A.D.'s were to be found in Egypt, and as many of the nurses sent in the latest contingents were then billetted in an hotel in Cairo awaiting work, it was quite unnecessary to send these women. I also represented that apart from nursing work, it was most inadvisable to send women to work in Egypt. It would lower the prestige of the British to allow our women to do domestic work, for which plenty of Arabs were available.
Being disappointed of Government aid, Miss—was determined to get away and went off to Australia with her young women, and by persistent representations eventually got as far as Egypt and were drafted into various hospitals as V.A.D.'s, also to serve in canteens.
The one trained nurse who had gone with the party left them when she realised the position, and later joined the Scottish Women's Hospital in Serbia, where
A busy time ensued for me in all of my official positions. Miss Bicknell, my assistant, was anxious to have the chance of serving during the War, so I arranged for her to take the post of Matron of the second trip of the hospital ship Maheno.
The Maheno arrived back from her voyage as a hospital ship on the 11th of April, and I went to Auckland to meet her. Several of the surviving nurses who were on the torpedoed ship Marquette, were being invalided home, the chief of these being Miss Cameron, the Matron of No. 1 Stationary Hospital, who had been the greatest sufferer surviving the disaster. Her great friend Miss Newman, who was taking her place as Acting-Matron of St. Helens Hospital, Christchurch, was taken out with us, and Miss Cameron's delight at seeing her, while she was unable to express it in words, was pathetic. I arranged for Miss Newman to remain on board with Miss Cameron, who was being taken to Lyttelton, where she was being sent to a private hospital. Poor Miss Cameron though looking well, was paralysed and her speech so affected, that she would utter only a word or two. This made her appear to be mentally affected, but although certainly not so alert as formerly, her memory was good and she understood what was said to her, and took a keen interest in all around her.
Other sisters invalided back, were Misses Walker, Florence Gill, and Bennett. They were all granted further
Before this, I had gone to Dunedin in December, to meet the first of the sisters of the Marquette to return to New Zealand. They were on the transport Tahiti. I was very anxious to see these first to return and it was reassuring to see their faces looking down from the deck as we approached with bright expressions of welcome. Four other sisters not on duty, also were invalided out.
Miss Myles, the Military Matron for Dunedin, had accompanied me, and we remained on board for some time listening to all the sisters could tell us of their experiences.
Having been widely separated from each other during those long hours of that terrible day, the details of the loss of those who were killed in the lowering of the boats, or so injured that they had no chance of escape, could only be vaguely described, but even so, their story made us more than ever realise vividly the sadness of it all.
It was in memory chiefly of these sisters, that the Nurses' Memorial Fund which I have mentioned before, was started.
At York Minster, there is a very beautiful memorial to the British sisters who lost their lives in the War. The fourteen New Zealand sisters' name are all inscribed together there.
In January, 1916, the King George V. Hospital, at Rotorua, was opened for the reception of soldiers returning to the Dominion. I accompanied Dr. Valintine to Rotorua for the ceremony, which was most impressive. About 2,000 were there, and a special feature was the presentation of sums of money by the Arawa Tribe of Maoris for the benefit of the “Returned Heroes,” who would be using the institution.
The site is a beautiful one, overlooking the lakes, and in the centre of Pukeora Park.
The men to be treated there were the convalescents, and it was to be run by men only. The Rotorua Hospital had been much enlarged, and was to take the men who require nursing treatment. The matron of that institution was, however, to supervise the camp hospital also. The hot springs so much used for treating of rheumatism, etc., were to be used for the soldiers. This is the way in which the temporary convalescent and hospital named after His-Majesty King George V. commenced. It was never thought that it would be required for long, but it developed by degrees into quite a large institution, fully staffed by matron, nurses, and masseuses. A special orthopædic ward was opened for children, where ex-infantile paralysis cases were sent from all parts of the Dominion.
It was later given up as a military hospital and carried on as a Government one, by the
Women patients also were taken, and it became possible to train nurses. Staffed at first entirely by military doctors and nurses, by degrees others were appointed to fill vacancies.
The first matron was Miss Hodges, A.R.R.C, who was one of the Marquette survivors.
The temporary structure with its additions, has carried on for nearly 17 years, and is only now being gradually decreased, and may, in the near future be given up altogether. Here we tried out a system of Hospitals Aids, which developed from the V.A.D. system, and young women who liked the hospital work and routine but did not wish to train as nurses, worked here side by side with the probationers who were attending lectures and preparing for the State examination.
Charwomen from the little township were taken up each day to do the rougher work.
While all this development was going on, I had many visits to Rotorua. On each occasion I was able to see something of the interesting sights that tourists flock to see. The sisters were very good to me and used, when my work of inspection and planning was done, to arrange some excursions.
Many nurses will have pleasant recollections of their time at King George V. Hospital. I could write a great deal about it all, but must hurry on.
Queen Mary Hospital was another institution established under military control and afterwards passed over to the
This place commenced in a small way, run by men only, in some old buildings, but before long it was found
This place developed into a special institution for the treatment of neurasthenic patients, both men and women. An entirely new building was put up for women. The old sanatorium with its baths, was taken over and incorporated into a very well equipped hospital, which, rather than going down hill like the King George V. Hospital, will be more likely to increase, there is so much demand on its accommodation. Here we have a good staff of trained nurses and hospital aids. It cannot, of course, be a training school, but trained nurses can get valuable experience there. Dr. Chisholm, the Medical Superintendent, has specially studied neurasthenic conditions, and Sister Trott, who is in charge of the women's section, was sent by the Department to take a special course at the Maudesley Hospital in England.
Another institution started by the Military Authorities during the War, and now administered by the
At first, the work was carried on under great difficulties and I was proud of the way our sisters buckled to and with no grumbling at their own discomfort, did all they could to make the patients comfortable.
Now the sanatorium is fully established and much enlarged; the sisters have a comfortable home and a tennis court, and several of them cultivate small plots in the grounds, and vie with each other in producing flowers.
Trentham Hospital, about 18 miles from Wellington, was another of the military establishments. The training camp was here, and at first a small cottage hospital was built, to take in any sick in the camp. Before I left for England.
Later, Trentham Hospital was used for returned sick and wounded men, and had to be greatly enlarged. Long hutments were built, each with about 30 beds, about nine of these.
Buildings of somewhat the same style were erected for the nursing staff, divided up with cubicles, and small rooms with the necessary offices. A large recreation room and a dining-room for the whole staff of sisters and V.A.D.'s. The sleeping hutments were rather cold and cheerless, and various devices were used to heat them. The recreation room had a large fireplace and was furnished comfortably.
The Matron's quarters were in the nurses' cottage, attached to the original hospital. I remember the difficulty I had in retaining these rooms which I and the various matrons considered suitable. Every now and then some officer had his eye upon them for some other, and we thought, less important purpose.
Several times I just saved the situation in time, by heated remonstrance, and appealing to the authority of the
I frequently went out to Trentham, there were often troubles to investigate, as well as ordinary inspections to make. The matrons changed fairly often as during the War they were more anxious to return to service at the Front than to remain on home service, and also we needed the experienced matrons where they were most useful. Therefore, quite a number of our senior matrons served a term at Trentham Hospital.
Another military hospital was at Featherston, where also was a large camp for training men. Another at Arapuni, Auckland.
We had also various convalescent hospitals, some in houses lent to the
All this made a very busy life for me, but most interesting. My civilian work went on all the same, and I also carried on the inspection of the mental hospitals, and examinations of the mental nurses and attendants, until towards the end of the War when I felt I could
I was sorry to give up my work with Dr. Hay, who had always been most kind and considerate to me, but felt it right.
I was rather dismayed when I found that, although I was giving up this part of my work, because I really had too much to do, the part of my salary for that department was to be deducted.
However, representations were successful and I retained my full pay.
Much of my work was in selecting and having equipped the nurses for the different contingents who were sent abroad, and nurses for the troopships, for, after the first, no ships were allowed to leave without a staff of nurses. I made a point of meeting the returning hospital ships and troop ships, and also of seeing each contingent away. This made a very busy time, and Saturdays and Sundays were the same as week days.
After Miss Bicknell left on the hospital ship Maheno, I was alone in my office with the exception of a young girl clerk for nearly twelve months, but when, after her return I sent Miss Bagley of Auckland office, away to have her share of War service, I felt it necessary to have more assistance and I then got Miss Polden, who had been Matron of the Fever Hospital, Wellington, and later Matron of the Waikato Sanatorium, into my office to help with the registrations, examinations, etc., while I sent Miss Bicknell to Auckland to carry on there in Miss Bagley's absence. Later, I had Miss Wright, Miss Willis, and for a time, Miss Wilson.
In January, 1916, we received news that the Royal Red Cross first class had been awarded to the Matron of the New Zealand Hospital at Abassieh, Miss Bertha Nurse. Miss Nurse had served as Matron at Samoa with the first Expeditionary Force, and on arrival in Egypt, had been posted as Matron at the New Zealand Hospital. She had worked well and faithfully, and everyone was pleased at the honour conferred upon her.
Though the first, this was by no means the last of these honours. Marie Cameron, who had done such good work at
A surprise awaited myself, one evening when at the opening of the New Zealand Academy of Arts Show, by His Excellency Lord Liverpool, I received a message that he wished to speak to me. He told that I had been recommended for the Royal Red Cross, and that the Order of the First Class was being sent out from Home.
It was not, of course, for some time after that, that I was summoned to an Investiture at Government House.
Very proud I was when His Excellency pinned my Order on my dress and I felt that it was not in honour of my own services only, but in acknowledgment of the splendid service the nurses of whom I was the head were giving.
I only regretted that I could not, as so many of our nurses were lucky enough to, have the privilege of receiving it from the hands of His Majesty King George himself. While writing of this honour, I may as well record that much later on, I had the great distinction of being awarded one of the 50 Florence Nightingale Medals which, just after the War, were given to nurses of different countries, twelve being to British nurses.
This medal was instituted by the Red Cross and was to be distributed at the rate of about six every two years to nurses who had given some special service or distinguished themselves in some way. The distribution comes from Geneva, the headquarters of the Red Cross. It was only proposed at a conference shortly before the War, and was suspended for a time owing to the War. It was not to be for military service only, which at the the time was not anticipated, but for civilian services also.
The first distribution, however, was to military nurses, and mine was the first in the Southern hemisphere, and remained the only one for two years; when Miss Conyers, C.B.E., R.R.C., Matron-in-Chief of the Australian nurses was awarded one, and several years later, Miss Wilson, R.R.C., then Matron-in-Chief of the Australian nurses' service, another.
Lord Jellicoe pinned mine on my dress at a reception at Government House. The medal is a beautiful one, oval in shape with a wreath of green laurel leaves on silver, surrounding a relief of Florence Nightingale holding her lamp.
The Royal Red Cross is so well known that I will not describe it. There is a full description in Kai Tiaki, January, 1916. Miss
In a London paper, dated June 21st, 1916, is given a list of New Zealand nurses mentioned in despatches; these were Matrons B. Nurse, M. Cameron, who had both already been awarded the R.R.C., Sisters A. Buckley, C. Cherry, F. Speedy, Vida Maclean,
Later on many others were mentioned in despatches.
The Royal Red Cross 1st class was conferred in January, 1917, on Sister Price; and Sister Annie Buckley, Fanny Speedy, Kathleen Davies, Emily Hodges received the 2nd class.
A little later we read of Miss Thurston, as we have already mentioned receiving the 1st class, and at the same time, Sister Nixon,
Mary Early, of the Aotea Home, and Mary McBeth were the next to receive the 2nd class decoration.
Miss Bicknell at this time was also honoured by the 2nd class award, and Sisters Winfred White, Louie McNie and Louise Brandon. The next announcement from the High Commissioner gave the names of nurses receiving the A.R.R.C.—Matrons Cora Anderson, Sisters Beswick, Bird, Chalmer, Grigor, McRae, Metherill, Sisters Pengelly, Popplewell, Scott, G. Wilkins, K. Wright, Toomey, McGann, Trumble, I. Willis, Billington.
An interesting account sent me by one of the sisters of the ceremony of investiture at Buckingham Palace was accompanied by a photograph. Fourteen of them had been commanded to appear at 10 a.m. to receive the decorations. Sister writes as follows:—
“On the eventful morn we dressed ourselves with care, jealous of our reputation when facing so many other branches of the noble profession. So, with snowy caps, well-cut capes, shining buttons, neat shoes and white gloves, externally, and I fear slightly palpitating machinery internally, we packed ourselves into taxis and drove off to the Palace. Once there, it was all so easy; we walked over carpeted stairs to a very large rose pink carpeted entrance; attendants directed us where to leave our coats, and where to turn up a short flight of wide steps into a circular shaped reception room, also rose carpeted. On one circular wall was a series of French windows overlooking the garden. Inside were tall palms, and beautiful portraits inset into the white walls. But far more interesting than things inanimate were the groups and groups of horses—soldiers, sailors, and men of the air. They were divided off into small enclosures. Our heads swelled with generous pride as we glanced at these war-worn men, for we realised that every man there represented not one wonderful deed of bravery, but weeks and months of heroism, endurance, and almost unbelievable British pluck.
“We passed through this room, full of gallant men, and at the next door were given a number, and passing on, occupied a chair with number to correspond. This was not quite so interesting, for we sat in rows, the first class facing the second class. It was here that we noticed how particularly nice our New Zealand nurses looked—really our uniforms look their best en masse, the snowy caps being such a contrast to the scarlet capes, and of course, we were all dressed with special care.
“Through the room, from on still beyond, passed all the officers for Military Cross decoration, English, Scottish, Canadian, Australian, and two New Zealand officers, and last of all in the processions of men came one lone sailor-man, an A.B., who was dreadfully nervous and self-conscious, but quite cheery, and we were afterwards told that he had saved the lives of seven men at sea, and the King was personally giving him the Humane Society's Medal.
“Then we all rose, and in order of our numbers progressed in single file towards the room in which the King was receiving. At intervals, officials confirmed our names, so that there should be no confusion, and we were relieved to know that we would watch two or three recipients go ahead of us!
“Oh! It was a day of days, and personally I felt rather glad that the first occasion on which I had seen His Majesty was the day on which we nurses were decorated.
“Advance three paces, turn to the left, curtesy, advance, receive medal from King, curtsey and retire to right. That was all! Just a brief minute and we pass out into a corridor where our case was handed to us, and the precious cross placed carefully inside.”
In October, 1918, we find that
Sister Essie Nelson, who did not belong to the New Zealand service, but who had been Sub-Matron at Christ-church Hospital, and so known to many New Zealanders, also received the 1st class order; she had served in Mesopotamia.
Many of our nurses who had received the A.R.R.C., later were recommended for, and received, the R.R.C. 1st class.
I was very proud to know how well appreciated was the work of our nurses on active service, and that so many of them had been honoured by our King.
Absorbing as was the interest in the war and the part our men and our nurses were taking in it, the ordinary work of my office in connection with the civil hospitals, the registration of nurses, and midwives went on as usual.
I had many calls at hospitals to adjust, or attempt the adjustment of difficulties. The matrons wrote to me of all their troubles. A very unhappy incident was concerned with the Matron of the Timaru Hospital, little Miss Todd, a woman of the highest integrity, who was accused by her Board of some not strictly honest dealings with trades-people supplying the hospital with stores. Although the Board merely censured her, she felt the matter so deeply that she resigned, and her resignation was accepted.
The medical men of the town upheld her and wished the Board not to accept her resignation, and Dr. Valintine also intervened, but Miss Todd herself would not remain with such an imputation on her character. Several years after it came out, when the secretary committed suicide, that he had really been guilty of dishonesty, and had endeavoured to fasten it upon the matron. The Board then tried to make up for their injustice. They called a new ward by Miss Todd's name, and also gave her a small pension.
Poor Miss Todd never got over this trouble; she was of a hypersensitive dispositon. She died of influenza a few years after her vindication.
I have dealt elsewhere with some of the hospital troubles in which I had to intervene, but it is not possible to go into particulars of this part of my work. They would fill a volume by themselves.
To revert to Army nursing matters. In 1916, Miss Thurston, Matron of Christchurch Hospital, and Matron of the Army Nursing Service for the Canterbury District, was offered the position of Matron of Walton on Thames Hospital, which was then under the control of the New Zealand War Contingent Association, and only later taken over by the New Zealand Military Authorities. Miss Tombe, formerly of Dunedin, had been the first matron, and had organised the hospital, but was retiring. Miss Thurston consulted me as to acceptance. It had been my policy not to take the matrons of hospitals, especially training schools, for active service, but in this case I did not wish to stand in Miss Thurston's way, so I had her enrolled in the Army Nursing Corps, and she was sent Home in a hospital ship. When the Military Authorities took over the hospital, Miss Thurston remained as matron.
Later, when owing to the number of nurses being sent from here and the arrangements to make for them on arrival, it was necessary to have a matron-in-chief for the Expeditionary Force; she was given the appointment, and carried on from Walton on Thames Hospital for a time. Then she had to give her full time to the new duties and
Much correspondence took place between Miss Thurston and myself. In some things we did not see eye to eye; notably in the case of the grading of the sisters, and I had to intervene in the interests of some. The fact was that quite a number of our nurses, when serving in the British hospitals, had been promoted, giving staff nurses
Miss Thurston did not agree' with me in this, but of course had to fall in with my ideas, supported by the D.G.M.S. I held that in the Army Service it was quite in order to have two or more sisters in a ward, one, of course, being in charge. For some time until things were settled, some our sisters who had earned their promotion in the British Service felt very sore that it was not acknowledged in their own service. However, this was put right in time, and our difference of opinion did not interfere with the cordial relations which had always existed (and still do) between Miss Thurston and myself.
I felt sometimes I would have liked to have been able to remain abroad with the nurses, but of course, was far too busy here to think of it, though some of the nurses implored me to come.
Miss Thurston, while acting at Matron of Walton on Thames, was awarded the R.R.C., 1st class, and later on, in common with the other chief matrons, was given the C.B.E. (Commander of the British Empire). A very regretable matter was the fact that through remaining abroard, Miss Thurston lost her civil position as Matron of the Christchurch Hospital. The Board, which had appreciated the honour of their matron being offered the matronship of the War Contingent Hospital and readily granted her leave, after about two years wanted
Both Dr. Valintine and I, feeling that this was not quite fair, did all we could, but the Board was determined that unless their matron returned at once, they would not keep her appointment open.
The Returned Soldiers' Association also made an appeal for her, and there was a great deal of feeling in Christchurch about the whole business, some people taking Miss Thurston's side, and others that of the Board. I felt very sorry for Miss Thurston, as, when she returned after the war over, there was no very good position for her. However, she was retained in the Army Service and was Matron of Trentham Hospital, and later of Queen Mary Hospital at Hanmer and, until she left New Zealand, of the Pukeora Sanatorium.
During the remaining years of the war, I was much at Headquarters in Wellington. There were contingents of nurses to enrol, equip, and send away. I usually went to farewell each of the transports and to meet the returning sisters, when I would have to arrange for placing them on duty after their leave, if fit sending them away again, or if invalided, sending them to hospital.
A very useful institution we had been given the use of was a private house at the Hutt which we used as a convalescent home for sisters. It was a large rambling house with a large garden and a beautiful view over the hills to the harbour, very comfortably furnished and with a fine library. I used to go out occasionally and stay for the night, always receiving a warm welcome. Sister Grigor was in charge for some time. She is now married and living in Canada.
So the years passed on. Some of the incidents I have referred to in previous pages occurred during that time, and caused me to have to travel hurriedly to different parts of the Dominion. Most of the more interesting recollections of this period refer to the war, and even when I myself was not concerned with them, and they had nothing to do with my life, and only indirectly with my work; still, they mean much to New Zealand nurses whose work as a rule does not bring them in contact with world affairs.
During these years, I continued to edit the New Zealand Nurses' Journal, and looking through the volumes of those four years, I realise how much I owed to the nurses I had sent away, who wrote me the graphic accounts of their work which fill many pages of
In 1918 our Nursing Service was greatly honoured by the reception by Queen Alexandra in her private apartments at Windsor Castle, of Miss Thurston, C.B.G., R.R.C., Matron-in-Chief of the New Zealand nurses abroad. Miss Macdonald, the Matron-in-Chief of the Canadian nurses, was received at the same time. The late Queen was very interested in the details the matrons could give her of their contingent, and desired to know what might be desirable in improving the conditions and status of the nurses' important labours. She admired the uniforms of the New Zealand nurses.
There was another very sad time in store for New Zealanders, perhaps in some ways not so tragic and drastic as the torpedoeing of the Marquette, but resulting in much more loss of life.
This was the Epidemic of Influenza, 1918, just at the time when the war was over. This world-wide sickness which swept over the sea from country to country, was not like ordinary influenza at all. I think it was a form of plague, caused by all the corruption of death on the fields of war, and the deadly germs, air-borne from place to place.
In New Zealand, Auckland had the first and the worst outbreak. In Wellington we had a terrible time! I was very busy. Dr. Valintine was at the time seconded for military duty, his second in command, Dr. Frengley, was dealing with the epidemic in Auckland. The chief clerk was very ill, the District Health Officer was ill, my assistant, Miss Bicknell, was also ill for a short time, but fortunately recovered and came to my help before the worst came. We had to organise temporary hospitals in schools, halls, and even in an old steamship which had been laid up for years. This was brought in alongside the wharf, and patients, mostly seamen, were put on board. It was very difficult with the limited number of nurses available
Marquette, I put in charge. The St. John Ambulance Nursing Guild came to the assistance of the trained nurses, and did excellent work.
People who had never done any work of the kind came forward, organised hospitals, cooked and cleaned, as well as tended the sick. A food depot was established at the Town Hall, and food was distributed from there to the many private houses where sick were being cared for. People visited from house to house, and reported fresh cases, and did what they possibly could for them.
It was a nightmare of a time; I went to stay with a kind friend in town, so as not to be troubled with cooking or house-keeping, and from early morning till late at night was busy at my office, and when possible in going round to find fresh accommodation and to find doctors, nurses, and equipment. In that last, the
As the heads of my department were not available, I had to assume control, and as the Minister said, “act Chief Health Officer,” I had to see to the closing of schools, picture theatres, etc., and of course this had to be done with legal formality, so I got in touch with the Crown Law Office.
Just after all this, to my great relief, Dr. Makgill arrived from Auckland and took charge. Miss Bicknell and I could then go on with our own special duties.
At Trentham Hospital, and more so at Featherston Camp Hospital, the outbreak was very severe. Miss Willis was in charge of the latter and did splendid work there. Here we lost one of our sisters, Sister Wishaw. Many of the staff were ill, but struggled on duty again as soon as possible.
Perhaps one of the worst happenings was the outbreak on the Tahiti, a. ship taking troops to the field of war, to which I have already referred. There were six or seven nurses; Sister Maxfield, of
I considered that Sister Maxfield had earned an award for the way she carried on at that dreadful time, and recommended that she be given the R.R.C., but there had been a new rule made that this should only be awarded after a term of service to which she had not attained. She was mentioned in despatches, and the work of the sisters generally commended. After arrival at Home, where the troops were sent either to camp or hospital, it was necessary to send one of the sisters to hospital, Sister Tubman, and she died shortly after.
The outbreak in New Zealand was scarcely over when we were asked by cable to send fifty nurses to Australia to
While still in the throes of the epidemic, though it was slackening off, came the joyful news of the Armistice. The first news was premature, but on 11th November came the glad news that hostilities had ceased.
Partly as a development after the influenza epidemic, a system of instruction in home nursing was started by the
The
Large classes are instructed, most of the private school pupils join, and after the course of instruction all are examined. There are classes of older women in the various suburbs, and lectures are given at the headquarters
It was somewhat regrettable that when recently a need arose for a well-organised body of women, both fully trained and partially trained, to work under the qualified staff, the proposed organisation of the Red Cross was not quite ready. I refer to the disastrous earthquake in 1931 at Napier. This event does not really come within the scope of these reminiscences and must be left to those who may carry on this brief history of Nursing in New Zealand to record fully. There was no lack of medical or nursing aid. The Health Department took the part which the Red Cross desires to be able in future to fill, and through its medical officers, Director of Nursing, and Sanitary Inspectors' staff, quickly organised temporary hospitals, food depots, sanitation of the stricken towns and detailed nurses who flocked to offer their services to their several duties. The Red Cross staff, of course, were also ready and took their part in relief and other work, but in any future great disaster hope to be able to take the chief part in the organisation.
Soon after the proclamation of peace, the sisters began coming back to New Zealand. The men who had been in hospital at Home and abroad were also being sent back as quickly as possible. I have referred before to the hospitals which were got ready to receive them. For some time we needed the majority of the sisters. Some who were on leave from their hospitals returned to their posts, but quite a number were war-worn and really not fit for duty. A few took the opportunity of learning horticulture and bee-farming, and went to the Ruakura Government Farm, where they were given a small allowance on which to live. I once visited these nurses at their camp, and was quite interested in seeing their arrangements. I do not know, however, of many who went on with the work, but the life for the time certainly did them a great deal of good in restoring their health.
Of those sisters who had married during the war, quite a number, of course, retired into private life.
When the first large contingent of nearly 40 sisters returned in the Tainui in April, 1919. The Minister of Defence, Sir James Allen, considered that some “special public recognition should be shown of the splendid service rendered by the members of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service.”
He sent a wireless message to the Tainui inviting all members of the N.Z.A.N.S. on board to be his guests at
He concluded his letter of invitation by saying: “I hope that you and all the members of the A.N.S., both in New Zealand and abroad, will consider this little function as being the first convenient opportunity that has presented itself of giving you and them some measure of recognition of the loyal, devoted and faithful services given by all, not only to New Zealand, but to the Empire during the war period.”
The description of this function in Kai Tiaki is most interesting. It was held in Bellamy's, the tea tables tastefully decorated with flowers and little flags, giving a bright welcome to the sisters.
The scene was a bright one with the scarlet capes of the sisters and the uniforms of the staff officers, among the latter being General Sir Alfred Robins, Colonel Purdy, Colonel Gibbons and others. Several members of the Ministry were also present.
I, of course, had to respond to this speech, and said how much the nurses had appreciated the fact that the Government had allowed them to go and nurse their own sick and wounded.
Many other functions were held in the various centres to welcome back the sisters.
One I well remember was given in Dunedin by the Otago Branch of the Trained Nurses Association, and was in honour of a well-known medico of that town, Dr. O'Neill, as well as of those other medical men and sisters who, from time to time, had returned.
It was held in the Women's Club, where the fine reception rooms did well for such an assembly. A large number of doctors and their wives, matrons of the hospital staff, and leading citizens were invited, as well as most of the private nurses in Dunedin, so that the rooms were well filled.
I was invited, and went down from Wellington. Dr. Valintine happened to be going to Dunedin, and travelling down with us in the same carriage was Colonel (later General Sir Donald) McGavin. On arrival in Dunedin, Colonel McGavin went to stay with Dr. (afterwards Sir) Marquette, in which he emphasised that he had seen the sisters to their appointed stations on each side of the ship and into their boats, before he himself left in a boat to endeavour to obtain assistance.
Several of the sisters who had been on the Marquette—Sisters Wilkin, Popplewell and Blackie—were present that evening, and to them, of course, his speech recalled vividly the terrible tragedy.
After a few speeches, there was some music, and a very pleasant time was spent, concluding with supper.
Another function to which I was invited by the Minister of Defence as Matron-in-Chief of the Army Nursing Service, was the welcome back given at Parliament House to
Maoris are eloquent both in speech and writing, and the diction of those two was delightful to hear.
Both have now passed on, leaving for their race a reputation of loyalty and integrity which may be envied by many white politicians.
While recalling these welcomings, I must not forget that for which I myself was responsible, one to Miss Thurston on her return. I invited all the returned sisters within reach of Wellington, to afternoon tea at the Pioneer Club. Quite a number assembled;
It was a great pleasure having Mrs. Grace Neill and Mrs. Kendall, R.R.C., Miss Payne, Matron of Wellington
The room was gay with bright flowers, and the pretty mufti worn by the sisters, who, now the War was over, were not so anxious to wear uniform. Miss Bicknell, A.R.R.C, who served the tea, was helped by the sisters.
Miss Thurston, in thanking me for her welcome, expressed her appreciation of the work the sisters had done.
In June, 1920, the Wellington Branch of the Nurses' Association, invited me to a reception to congratulate me on receiving the Florence Nightingale Medal. The rooms at the Nurses' Club were charmingly decorated and a large number of guests were present. Dr. Valintine, General McGavin, Colonel McLean,
Miss Inglis was then President, and made a very nice congratulatory speech, in which she said that the honour conferred upon me extended to the nurses also.
There were many telegrams of congratulation, and I was presented with a beautiful bouquet from the (then) four branches of the Association.
Dr. Valintine also spoke in appreciation of my work, which made me feel very embarrassed; after which I made an effort to reply, and in doing so, I expressed my feeling that the award of the Florence Nightingale Medal was made in my person to the New Zealand nurses who had done so well in the War.
The evening concluded with music and supper.
About this time, the visit of the Prince of Wales to New Zealand took place. There was, of course, great excitement and pleasure. The military nurses in the different centres all attended at the parades and were presented to His Royal Highness. We had quite a big parade in Wellington, and the Prince shook hands with all of us, and congratulated those who had decorations.
I had the privilege of attending the State Ball at Government House, and of again being congratulated on my R.R.C., I had not then received the Nightingale Medal.
Again I had the honour of meeting the Prince at a reception held on board the Renown.
The Maori demonstrations at Rotorua were very interesting. All the Native Health nurses who could be spared from their districts, were collected there under Miss Bagley. They looked very nice indeed, in their uniforms of serviceable tweed, grey, made with a divided skirt for riding, which, when not riding looks like an ordinary skirt.
The Prince visited all the Military Hospitals and this of course, gave great pleasure to patients and staffs. A very pretty story is told of him in connection with Miss Cameron, R.R.C., our invalided matron. This was when in Sydney, he visited the Randwick Military Hospital, where she was a patient. She had wished to parade with the sisters of the staff at the entrance, but the matron
This was one of the many kindly actions which endears the Prince of Wales to his people.
The appreciation of a matron by her Board is worthy of record. At the Palmerston North Hospital for many years, the Matrons Miss Dougherty and Miss McLaglan, had been supreme; had done all the management, acted as resident medical officers, under the honoraries, who deputed to them much of the treatment of the patients. Later, when on account of the enlarged hospital, a medical superintendent was appointed, with resident medical officers to assist him, the responsibility of the matrons was of course, greatly decreased. The Board, however, recognised what splendid work had been done by the Matrons in the past, and in recognition of this, had commissioned Mrs. Tripe, a Wellington artist, to paint a portrait of her. The project of having this portrait had been originated by the nursing staff, but the Board took it up, and encouraged the idea, and the whole of the honorary medical staff, nursing and domestic staff joined in.
Sir James Wilson, Chairman for many years of the Hospital, unveiled the portrait in the main corridor. It represents Miss McLaglan in her uniform of white dress and cap, just as she was known to all, and is a speaking life size picture.
The occasion of opening a memorial to Dr. Martin, who gave his life during the War, took place at the same
The widow of Dr. Martin opened the new wards.
I had the privilege of being present at these two functions, and in the evening was invited to a dance the staff were giving in one of the new wards, which were still unfurnished. It was a pleasure to see the young nurses enjoying the relaxation they deserved after a strenuous day.
A ceremony at which I was present at the
As well as this tablet, another was unveiled in November, 1925, on the wall of St. Mark's Church. Besides these tablets, it was arranged that a medal should be given annually to the nurse who, passing her State examination with credit, could also be recommended by the matron and medical superintendent for her all-round qualifications, as one with the highest ideals of her profession.
So far, only two nurses have been given the medal, together with which was given a small pamphlet which I
Another tribute to a matron was the memorial erected by the Westland Hospital Board to the late Matron, Miss Little, who died at the hospital after a long illness. This memorial takes the form of a group of five lights on a concrete pedestal on a plot of flowers.
Another nurse honoured by the erection of a tablet to her memory, in the vestibule of the Nurses' Home at
At the same time a tablet was unveiled to the memory of the nurses who died on active service, and of those nurses and V.A.D.'s, who died in the influenza epidemic.
In September, 1920, I was granted three months deferred leave, and went to Australia to visit my relatives. During the War, it had been impossible for me to take any leave, and my last holiday leave had been in 1913. Of course, 1 had a short time in Australia in 1915 on my way back from Egypt, but only while waiting for a passage from Sydney to New Zealand. Therefore, I was very eager to visit my native land again. My niece, Hilda Loughnan, had been with me for the past twelve months, and returned with me to Australia.
I spent a happy time there, visiting my relatives and friends, and returned early in 1921 to my work in New Zealand. I am always glad to get back to my home; I had let it for the six months of my absence. After I returned, I let one room to an ex-nurse, well known in Wellington, Miss France. She was with me for about a year and I was then alone for a time, and after that my sister, Mrs. Loughnan and my niece, Hilda, came and paid me a long visit. It was very pleasant to have their company and they looked after the place in my absence on official travelling.
So the time passed on, many of the matters I have already mentioned, took place during the next few years before my retirement.
About this time, in 1921, the Minister of Health was very anxious to know what could be done to improve the
In my report, I stated that in many ways the condition for nurses in the New Zealand hospitals were good. They worked practically for an eight-hour day, though some of the smaller hospitals could not quite arrange this; they were well housed and well fed and had reasonable holidays every year. Probationers were also well paid.
All the alterations in present conditions I could recommend were higher pay to qualified nurses to give them some chance of laying by for their old age, a system of superannuation, and a day off duty each week when possible; many hospitals already giving this.
My report no doubt, is now lost in some old pigeonhole and I do not remember much of what I wrote.
The system of superannuation is now an accomplished fact, as I have related in another page.
About the middle of 1921, the matter of maternal mortality began to be a subject of discussion, especially by the Board of Health; and investigations were being made by the
Rather a panic ensued on account of the publication of unfavourable statistics regarding maternal mortality, and comments by Dr. Truby King, whose campaign against infantile mortality is so well known.
The Council of the B.M.A., deprecated his statement that for every 100 women sacrificed, 1,000 were gravely damaged and that of the 30,000 children born each year, 1,000 were damaged by precipitate midwifery, and it considered that such statements were absolutely contrary to fact, and seriously and unnecessarily alarming to the expectant mother.
The Department of Health, greatly with a view to reassuring the public, went into the matter carefully. Dr. Jellett, who had recently arrived in New Zealand from Dublin, where he had for years held the office of the Master of the Rotunda, the famous maternity hospital,
The equipment of the
An important part of the preventive work was the development of the ante-natal care which had, since their establishment, been carried on by the St. Helens Hospitals where not only patients who were booked for the hospitals were urged to attend, but women generally were invited to come for examination and advice. Dr. Eleanor Gurr, who had worked in London in a similar way, was appointed special officer for ante-natal work, nurses were given special training and an examination was set for them and they were then given charge of the clinics, which the medical officers attended. This was all thought to be a new thing, but as I said above, the St. Helens Hospitals had all given ante-natal advice to their own patients. During the War, when there was an acute shortage of doctors in most towns, we found that many women were coming in to the hospitals in extremis, owing to neglect of symptoms which ante-natal care should have treated. The Department of Health then decided to throw open the advantages given to the patients booking to enter St. Helens for confinement to those who did not intend to enter and who had engaged private doctors, or lodge doctors. I remember preparing notices and circulars which were published in the papers, and sent to private practitioners, and to Friendly Societies offering free ante-natal
Sad to say, this offer met with little response and it was only when the alarm caused by the publication of maternal mortality statistics became general, that the clinics were able to accomplish much good. However, the results have been shown since then and women came readily for advice and accepted treatment which has certainly obviated or lessened some of the causes of death, such as eclampsia, and placenta prævia, for which so much can be done by early diagnosis and care.
In 1922 the
These meetings were held in various parts of the Dominion, and demonstrations were given of the care of infants and of the establishment of breast-feeding, and the supplementing where mothers' milk was not sufficient. At one of these lectures, given in the Red Cross rooms at Wellington, Dr. King made some statements regarding the practice of a midwife, which I felt he should be called upon to substantiate, and to give me the opportunity of looking into the matter. I think in his eagerness to impress he must rather have exaggerated the case he was illustrating, as repeated requests from me drew forth no reply, or statement of facts.
Besides these lectures, a number of lectures were given to midwives generally, by the Medical Officers of the
In July, 1924, it was first proposed to start a Nurses' Christian Union in New Zealand; it was hoped to establish branches in every hospital. Miss Evelyn Williams was keenly interested and offered to pay the salary of an organising secretary to visit the centres. Bible study circles had already started in the
A general meeting was called in Wellington early in 1924, at which a central executive committee was appointed and a constitution drawn up.
I was invited to be President but, in view of my departure for an extended visit to Australia, I felt it best to refuse; but accepted the office of Vice-President. Dr. Wilson, Medical Superintendent of the Wellington Hospital, was elected President, and Miss Newman, Matron of St. Helens Hospital, Vice-president. Mrs. Tythe Brown, who has always been a very enthusiastic member of the Council and is now President, an appointment I have advocated always, as I do not think it is a good thing always to depend upon medical men to lead nurses' enterprises. A number of clergy are also on the Council, and their support is of course, most valuable.
A young nurse, Miss Laurenson, was the first travelling secretary, and visited many of the hospitals in both North and South Islands, and awakened great interest in the movement.
At intervals since then, other nurses have travelled and the annual conferences held in Wellington, have been most successful. I have much enjoyed attending them, and listening to the fine addresses given, some by missionary nurses and doctors on furlough from their fields of work, and I specially remember an address given by Miss Grant of Napier, which was more eloquent and moving than any sermon I have heard preached.
Until I had a severe illness I remained on the Council as Vice-President, and attended meetings regularly, and since that time, I have been unable to go to them, so I have now been put on the Advisory Board.
The last meeting I was able to go to was at the Conference time, 1931, when Mrs. Tythe Brown kindly came with a friend to drive me out to Khandallah Park, where a picnic was being held. I quite enjoyed meeting the large number of delegates from different places, as well as the local members.
There is no doubt this Movement has been a source of good among the more seriously minded nurses, both in hospital and outside. The Union has prospered, branches have increased and circles are well maintained in the hospitals despite the fact that nurses move about so much that the circles are often deprived of their most energetic members. A scattered nurses' branch was recently started which would embrace nurses who cannot belong to a hospital circle and very successful meetings were held in Napier and in Wellington.
In 1921, the Director of Dental Services of the New Zealand Forces evolved a scheme for dealing with the teeth of children. The scheme was to train girls in the are of the first teeth—the scheme was brought up by tie Director, Colonel Hunter, before the Nurses' Association at Council meetings, in Dunedin and Wellington. It vas desired to enlist the co-operation and help of nurses, and in regard to appointments, preference was promised to be given to trained nurses. At Dunedin the Council was not in favour of the scheme, considering that there would be no nursing proper, and that there would also be no proper dental qualification.
In Wellington, it was approved with reservations, and with a proviso that the course of the trained nurse should be much shorter than that of the untrained pupils, which was to be two years.
As a matter of fact, at that time there was rather a shortage of nurses in the Dominion, and every trained nurse was wanted for her own work. I felt, and so expressed myself in the journal that as no proposal was nude to give any concession in point of time or any advantage in payment above what was offered to untrained women, that the nurses should uphold the honour of their profession and refuse to accept conditions which did not recognise their status as professional women. For young nurses at least, to abandon the work of actual nursing, so very important for the whole public in the alleviating of suffering, would be a step which would tend to lower the
The Dental Association was also opposed to the movement, and the employment of women not qualified as dentists for the simple treatments they were to carry out, was strenuously opposed.
Those in favour of the plan contend that women would do much more good in this work than men. Children are much more easily managed by women.
This scheme at the time it was inaugurated, cane under the Education Department and only later, was transferred to the
At the time of writing these recollections, there is no doubt that where, in the strenuous time, so many are oat of employment, some nurses may regret that the conditions offered then were not more attractive, and more consistent with their professional qualifications. The whole scheme was one of the Welfare projects of the paternal Government of New Zealand. The clinics gave free treatment, and no doubt were taken advantage of by many who could afford to pay. Now that the Government has had to curtail some of its services, a fee is to be charged to those who can pay, and the clinics started in many towns are supposed to be self-supporting.
Early in 1922, the Military Hospitals in Rotorua, Pukeora, and Hanmer, were placed under civil control, under the administration of the
The pay, of course, reverted to civil scale but was carefully calculated with some allowance for the long War service of the senior sisters. The rates were as follows:—
Matrons, £330 to £350 with £10 annual increments; sub-matrons, £240 to £250 with £10 annual increments; sisters, £170 to £230 with £10 annual increments; staff nurses, £150 to £170 with £10 annual increments; head massuese, £250 to £270; massage staff, £170 to £240.
All these with deductions for board. Twenty-eight days annual leave is allowed and an allowance of £8 for uniform.
With regard to annual leave, years ago I had represented that nurses, whose work was on different lines to other Government servants, whose annual leave was two weeks and after certain service, three weeks, needed longer leave, and this had been allowed for all our Government hospitals.
Under civil control the number of orderlies were reduced and the term V.A.D., which was certainly not appropriate to the young women helping in the hospitals, and receiving quite good pay, was discontinued. I suggested “Hospital Aid,” and this is now the official name for the untrained staff.
I endeavoured to obtain for this service, young women of a good class. Most of the V.A.D.'s remained under the new conditions. They were expected to take on the ordinary duties of nursing probationers, and when later at King George V. Hospital, probationers were taken for training, all associated together and their work was regarded as equally honourable and important.
Trentham Hospital passed over on March 31st, at midnight. A rather amusing story related to me was as follows:—
“Equipment in each ward was to be checked and received from the Military Authorities by the
During the years since my retirement, Trentham Hospital has been closed entirely, and changes have been made in most of the hospitals, but, of course, do not come into the scope of this book.
Early in 1923, I was notified by the Public Service Commissioner that I would be due to retire from my office at the end of February. This was, of course, no surprise to me, and in a way caused me no great regret, though I was feeling well, and quite fit to carry on. It is, I think, a wise plan to retire Government servants at the age of 60; some may be well able to carry on, but at the same time, it is only fair to those in the service to have the opportunity of advancement. Also, I think, by the age of 60 there should still be a few years in which well-earned leisure can be enjoyed, and the freedom from official work would allow of the indulgence in pet hobbies.
Many people also like to feel they are then free to give their services in different philanthropic ways, that were impossible while their time was fully occupied.
However, it was not my fate to be free so soon. My assistant, Miss Bicknell, who was to be my successor, had applied for leave of absence for eight months to visit England; Dr. Valintine asked me if I would remain on till the end of the year so that she might be granted this leave. I was quite ready to do so, glad that I did not have to give up my absorbing and interesting work so soon.
In order that Miss Bicknell should, on her visit to England, where she expected to look into hospital and training school methods, have the status of her new position, her appointment was made before she left, and I was made Acting-Director.
About this time an interesting meeting of the International Council of Nurses was being arranged to meet in July, at Copenhagen. I had the year before been notified of this, and invited to attend, and again I received a pressing invitation to be present. As Miss Bicknell had already left it was, of course, impossible for me to be away, so I suggested that Miss Bicknell should attend in my place. It was arranged that as the representative from New Zealand, Miss Bicknell should be given a travelling allowance of £50 to defray her expenses to Denmark.
She was only too pleased to have this great opportunity. I envied her, as I should have much enjoyed being at the conference where nurses from all countries would be present.
Later on, long after my retirement, Miss Bicknell was again fortunate in being sent by the Government to another International meeting at Montreal in 1929, when 6,000 nurses attended.
I was unfortunate in never being able to go to any of these great meetings.
After my retirement I was, of course, free, but the great expense involved by the distance from New Zealand prohibited my going. Also in later years my health was not good enough for such strenuous expeditions.
My last year in office was a busy one, although I was not able to travel very much, the work at headquarters filled my time. Miss Willis was then my assistant.
Before finally giving up, I had a trip round to visit nearly all the hospitals, but my recollection of these visits is by no means clear.
I remember going to Central Otago to the Sanatorium at Waipiata, where I stayed for a night. From there I telephoned to the little hospital at Naseby, saying that I
At Dunedin the Nurses' Association gave me a farewell reception, and similar farewells took place at Christ-church and at the different towns as I went from South to North—I felt touched indeed by the evident regret that the nurses I had worked among so long, showed at my retirement.
From the South I went to Auckland, Hamilton and Rotorua, and everywhere met the same kindly reception and farewells.
Towards the end of October, Miss Bicknell returned, and at the beginning of November, I gave up my work. I was given three months' leave on retirement. It felt very strange to be a free agent, as, except for annual leave and my one trip of fourteen months to England in 1904, I have not been out of some sort of harness or other for over 30 years.
A great surprise awaited me. I was invited to a farewell party at the Pioneer Club organised by the Wellington Branch of the Association. It was in the evening, and besides the many nurses present, a number of medical men and their wives, as well as women doctors were there. Dr. Valintine of course, and others of the
A few days later I was invited to the annual Christmas meeting of the officers of the department, where all the medical officers, nursing division, clerks, typists, and cadets joined in a party to wish each other a Merry Christmas. The Minister of Health honoured us on that occasion,
This was quite unexpected, also I had to listen to very kindly speeches again.
Thus came to an end a happy (on the whole), seventeen years of interesting work. There were, of course, ups and downs, times of difficulty, strain. Disagreement occasionally with other officers, but looking back, these are all forgotten and the happy association among us all only remembered.
So my work for the most part ended, and as I had many hobbies, to which all my life I had not had time to
When I heard of other women going on committees and working for public causes I sometimes felt very idle, but of later years I realise that my health would not have permitted me to lead anything but a private life.
One thing remained to me as work, the editorship of the Nurses' Journal, and this, still makes a link with the nursing profession which I shall be sorry to give up.
In 1925 I had the honour of being appointed by the Board of Directors of the International Council of Nurses at a meeting held at Helsingfors, a member of the International Publication Committee. There were then four other members, Miss Alexander, Editor of South African Nurses' Journal for Africa; Miss Hearn, Editor of Nursing Journal of China for Asia; Miss Mary Roberts, Editor of the American Journal of Nursing for America; and
I felt it a great honour to be associated with these leading women, and carried on sending various papers and reports, until recently, when I resigned. My resignation however, was not accepted, so I must endeavour still to be of use.
A great joy to me in my retired life was my cottage, which I bought in 1918, and the garden at which I worked really hard, digging, planting and planning, until of late years I have had to abandon such strenuous work.
In these reminiscences I have said nothing of my manner of living. When first I arrived in New Zealand, I stayed for a short time with my old friend, Dr. Bennett;
From here one night, or early morning, I saw the great fire which destroyed the House of Parliament, leaving only the wing in which the fine Parliamentary Library was housed. It was a grand sight. I lived here for about a year. While I was living there I was surprised one day in my office, when a tall man walked in and greeted me: “How are you Hester, I am Alister.” (Alister Maclean a cousin whom I had not seen for years). It was a great surprise and a happy one, as I did not know I had any relations in New Zealand, except the distant cousin already mentioned.
After a year of semi-boarding life, I thought I would like to be more independent and do entirely for myself; so I searched for other rooms and found a convenient little flat at Kelburn. My niece was still with me, and we settled in comfortably; I had a nice sized bed-room, and a sitting-room with a beautiful view over the harbour. Also I had a little bit of garden which was a great joy to me.
I had one more change before finally settling down at Highland Park, always with a beautiful prospect before me, and my present home is very dear to me.
Always, if possible, I would recommend a life of independence, with pleasant surroundings, rather than one in a boardinghouse. It gives more opportunity for saving and with some little domestic life and out-door life, such as gardening, is more healthy for women who are engaged in office work especially.
I have spent a good deal of my time alone in my cottage, but also have had long visits from my relations in Australia.
Drawing my recollections to a close, I hope that after a few years, the portion of this volume relating to nursing conditions and their progress will be continued by an abler pen than mine.
Still keenly interested in the work and progress of my old departments, this little record might go on interminably.
On September 2nd, 1932,
As ex-Matron-in-Chief of the Army Nursing Service, she was given a military funeral, the service being conducted by Chaplain Fry, M.A.C.F., at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral. In accordance with her rank, the pall-bearers were six commissioned officers of the N.Z.A.M.S.
As the casket was borne into the church, it was followed by her sister, Miss Flora Maclean, her old friend,
A nurse, writing to a friend, states it was the most moving and impressive sight to see so many nurses of the older generation carrying their insigna of service rendered, and paying their tribute to one who had befriended so many individually and who had so well upheld the honour of her profession.
In the church was a very large gathering, representing all the military, medical and nursing services of the country, from the Minister of Health, the Director-General of Health, the Director of the Army Medical Service, and the Principal Matron of the Army Nursing Service, to the most junior nurse who could be released during her
Perhaps a still greater tribute to Miss Maclean's far-flung interests and sympathies were the wonderful flowers, which she was known to have loved so much, sent from every part of New Zealand.
No citizen hero or warrior could have been carried to her last resting place with greater honour. On the Union Jack, which so fittingly covered one of her loyal sentiments, lay a cushion, on which were pinned her orders and decorations, and a gun carriage was the right emblem for one whose outlook was so essentially that of the warrior, ready to fight to the death where she deemed fight was needed, and to the last chafing at the restraints brought about by her physical disability—like so many of her “up and doing” temperament, she died of heart exhaustion.
The stirring salute of the firing party, followed by the Last Post and the Reveillé, made a warrior's setting for her entry upon a new and greater adventure.
Her ashes lie in the Soldiers' Cemetery at Karori, Wellington.
* * * *
The following paragraph is quoted from the issue of Kai Tiaki, published just after her death:—
“Miss Maclean's retirement was a peculiarly happy one, spent in her home situated on the hills at Highland Park, with its wonderful view of the harbour and the hills, which she so loved, visited by her many friends who came to her for her kindly and experienced advice. Her interest in her profession neverwaned, she retained the editorship of “Kai Tiaki” to her death, and only the week before, she wrote an article which will appear in a later issue.
For the last eighteen months of her life, Miss Maclean had been very much confined to her home on account of her health. During the winter months when she could not be in her beloved garden, she whiled away the hours by jotting down reminiscences of her life and work. As these grew, the idea of compiling them into a record of New Zealand Nursing came to her, and it is out of these at first irregular notes, this book has developed.
The writing of it gave Miss Maclean intense pleasure, and she was most anxious it should prove of worth to the younger nurses of to-day, as well as of interest to the nurses of the older generation. In spite of her desperate illness, with characteristic energy she read and revised all the proofs, and a few days before her death an advance copy of the book was placed in her hands to her very great delight.
The First Hospitals.
The first hospital was built in Auckland in the year 1845; Wellington, 1846; Christchurch, 1862; Dunedin, 1851.
Establishment of New Zealand Hospital System with the Creation of Hospital Boards and Districts.
Legislation passed under Hospital Act, 1885.
Introduction of Training Schools.
The first training school was commenced at
The Appointment of a Nurse as Assistant Inspector of Hospitals.
Mrs. Grace Neill appointed in 1893; retired, 1906.
The First Voluntary District Nursing Association.
Miss Maude. Christchurch, 1898.
Creation of Department of Health, 1900.
Introduction of State Registration.
Nurses' Registration Act passed 1901, followed by introduction of State Examination throughout New Zealand.
Registration of Midwives.
Midwives' Registration, 1904, followed by introduction of training, State examination.
Establishment of State Obstetrical Hospitals.
Introduction of Eight-Hour Day for Pupil Nurse and the Three-Shift Plan.
Wellington Hospital, 1898, followed by legislation which made a 56 hour week for pupil nurses compulsory, 1909.
Appointment of Miss Hester McLean, 1906, succeeding Mrs. Neill; retired, 1923.
Introduction of First District Nurse Under Hosiptal Board for “Back-block Districts.”
Uruti, New Plymouth Hospital Board, established 1906.
Establishment of Plunket Society Training, 1906–1907.
Amalgamation of Health and Hospital Departments.
Appointment of First Director-General of Health, Dr. Valintine, 1907.
Appointment of Additional Nurse Inspector, Miss Bicknell.
Miss Bagley, 1907.
Amalgamation of Hospital and Charitable Aid Institutions and Extension of New Zealand Hospital System, 1909.
Establishment of District Nurses for Maoris Under the Health Department, 1911.
Development of Tuberculosis Campaign, 1904–1912.
Miss Maude, Christchurch. First attempt at modern Sanatorium treatment.
Commencement of New Zealand Army Nursing Service, 1912, following Lord Kitchener's Visit.
Period of Active Military Service, 1914–1919.
Temporary Military Hospitals in New Zealand.
Establishment of School Medical Service, 1914.
School nurses appointed in 1917.
Pneumonic Influenza Epidemic, 1918.
Re-organisation of Department of Health following a Commission of Enquiry, 1920.
Appointment of Additional Nurse Inspector, 1920.
Establishment of New Zealand Nurses' Memorial Fund, 1920.
Appointment of Miss J. Bicknell as Director of Nursing, 1923.
Development of Ante-natal Service and Special Training for Ante-natal Work, 1924.
The Establishment of the Nurses and Midwives' Board following Legislation Contained in Nurses' and Midwives' Act, 1925.
Revision of Obstetrical Training in New Zealand and the Creation of the “Maternity Nurse” and “Midwife,” 1926.
Superannuation for Nurses.
Legislation passed in 1925; took effect in 1926.
Development of Preliminary Training Schools and Tutor Sisters, 1924.
The Establishment of Post-Graduate Course for Nurses in Connection with Victoria University College, Wellington, together with the Department of Health and Wellington Hospital Board, 1928.
The New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association.
Private Nurses' Association formed in “Wellington, 1905.
Trained Nurses' Association formed in Dunedin, 1907; in Auckland, Christchurch, 1908.
Amalgamation and Formation of New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association, 1909, at the First Conference in Wellington.
First Edition of Kai Tiaki, January, 1908.
Reception into International Council of Nurses at Cologne, Germany, in 1912.
Mrs. Grace Neill was one of the first foundation members of the International Council of Nurses founded in 1899.
Development of Annual Meetings.
First meeting of Matrons' Council, 1927.
By the passing of the Nurses' and Midwives' Act, in 1925, the training, examination and registration of nurses and midwives was established on a new footing. The Nurses' and Midwives' Board was set up by this Act, and the functions of the Board definitely laid down as follows:—
To determine courses of training to be undergone by candidates for examination as nurses, midwives and maternity nurses under this Act;
To approve hospitals or other institutions at which approved courses of training may be received;
To conduct examinations under this Act; to appoint examiners and make all other necessary arrangements for the purposes of such examinations; and to issue certificates of having passed such examinations to persons entitled thereto;
To receive applications for registration under this Act; and to authorise registration in cases where the conditions of registration have been complied with;
Generally, within the scope of its authority, to do what ever may in its opinion, be necessary for the effective administration of this Act.
The Board was composed of:—
The Director-General of Health;
The Director, Division of Nursing; who ipso facto was Registrar of the Board;
A registered medical practitioner;
Two persons, of whom one shall be a registered nurse, and one shall be a registered midwife, each appointed on the recommendation of the New Zealand Trained Nurses' Association, or other Association or Society approved by the Board for the purpose.
In 1930 an amending Act increased the number of members of the Board by two, one to be appointed on the recommendation of the Hospital Boards' Association, and the other on that of the Trained Nurses' Association or other similar approved Society. Unofficial members of the Board hold office for three years, but are eligible for reappointment.
The personnel of the first Board was:—
Dr. M. H. Watt, Deputy Director-General.
Dr. W. Young.
Miss L. Kohn.
The Act, together with the regulations gazetted thereunder, provided that all nurses and midwives whose names appeared on the respective registers should appear on the registers under the new Act, but also provided for a new class of obstetrical nurse termed a “maternity nurse,” for whom a new course of training was approved. In addition, it provided that all those women, not being qualified by examination, but who for not less than twelve months before the commencement of the Act, had been regularly engaged in practice as maternity nurses in New Zealand, were entitled to registration under a separate section of the Act as maternity nurses provided they applied for registration within one year of the passing of the Act. By this means some 650 women obtained registration. The newly recognised maternity nurse carries out the duties of a midwife with two restrictions, i.e. she cannot attend a case unless that case is under the charge of a registered medical practitioner, nor can she be licensed to conduct a maternity hospital.
The Act also provided a penalty for persons not so registered carrying out the duties of a midwife or maternity nurse. Provision was made for the Medical Officers of Health to exercise supervision over all midwives and maternity nurses in the practice of their profession, the Board having power to strike off the register any nurse, midwife or maternity nurse convicted of any offence punishable by imprisonment or who, in the opinion of the Board, had been guilty of such conduct as to render her unfit to continue the practice of her profession.
An appeal is provided for in the event of any person being refused registration or being struck off a register.
One of the first duties the new Board was faced with was the granting of approval to the various institutions to function as training schools and most of those institutions which had been training schools under the old regime were allowed to continue as such. The Board's ideal, however, was to limit training to those institutions at which nurses, midwives or maternity nurses could be given a thorough training, both theoretical and practical, and at which there would be an ample sufficiency of clinical material. Gradually, the smaller institutions were deleted from the list of approved training schools and the smallest of those left approved as “B” grade schools.
Provision had been made for the Board to approve of hospitals as “B” grade training schools where there could be given a certain amount of the training, although not considered large enough or well enough equipped to give a complete training, and these institutions are affiliated with large “A” grade training schools who take their pupil nurses for such period of their training as decided by the Board. Although similar provision was made for partial training schools in maternity nursing as well as pupil nursing, the Board considered it inadvisable to have subsidiary training institutions for maternity work. In 1930, the Board decided to restrict the training of midwives to the
At the commencement of the training a course was available by which trained nurses could take a straight out midwifery training of eight months, whilst the untrained woman required to train for twelve months as a maternity nurse, and on obtaining registration had to practise as a maternity nurse for a period of twelve months, and then do a further four months' training as a midwife before obtaining registration. Finally, however, the courses were arranged as follows:—
For the General Trained Nurse:
Six months' training as a maternity nurse.
Six months' training as a midwife.
For the Untrained Woman:
Eighteen months' training as a maternity nurse.
Six months' training as a midwife.
In each case the training in midwifery cannot be commenced until the trainee has been registered as a maternity nurse.
The Board desired to raise the standard of the examinations and in the case of the general trained nurse divided the medical and surgical papers into two, four of the questions in each paper to be set by a doctor examiner and two to be set by a nurse examiner, the marks being 100 for the doctor's questions and 50 for the nurse's questions, a candidate being required to obtain 75 marks in each of the medical and surgical papers in addition to 50 per cent, of the total marks in the oral and practical work. Partial passes were abolished.
The Board has given considerable time to the question of raising the standard of training in the various institutions and as a result of its decisions and recommendations teaching material, libraries of text and reference books and other equipment, have been gradually increased and improved in most of the training schools. The syllabus of training for general nurses was carefully revised.
The period of training as stated above, and the syllabus and course of practical work for midwives and maternity nurses, have been altered on several occasions but the practical work and system of lectures both for untrained women and trained nurses undertaking their obstetrical course, has been finalised and set out in detail.
The establishment of a Post-Graduate Course and the subsequent appointment of Sister Tutors in the larger hospitals has been the means of raising the standard of education given to the pupil nurses.
In 1930, the amending Act provided for the recognition of private hospitals with public sections as training schools for pupil nurses providing that they could comply with the requirements laid down by the Nurses' and Midwives' Board, and also that there was no possibility of interference with the reciprocity with the General Nursing Council of England, but so far only one institution has been approved as a training school.
The Nurses' and Midwives' Registration Board of New Zealand, owing to the alterations and additions in the standard of training and examination, found it necessary to review the reciprocity previously established between New Zealand and other countries. Considerable difficulty was, and has been, experienced in this matter owing to the fact that private hospitals are acknowledged in other countries as training schools which, to compensate for their lack of clinical material and small number of beds, give a training extending over four or five years, such training not being acceptable in New Zealand.
The difficulty was even greater with regard to the reciprocity in connection with obstetrical nurses because the standard of the training required from maternity nurses in New Zealand was equal to the standard required of midwives elsewhere, no other countries having a similar class of obstetrical nurses to the maternity nurses in the Dominion, and the various countries desired that their midwives should be registered as midwives in New Zealand and were not prepared to accept registration of the lesser qualifications of maternity nurses for them.
After considerable correspondence, extending over some years, reciprocity has now been established with the following countries:—
For Nurses:
General Nursing Council for England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland.
Nurses' Registration Board—New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia, Western Australia.
Medical and Nursing Council—South Africa.
For Midwives:
Midwives registered in the various States of Australia are registered as “maternity nurses” in New Zealand without further training or examination. Midwives registered in New Zealand are registered as midwives in the various States of Australia. Maternity nurses registered in New Zealand are not registered in Australia.
The matter of reciprocity with the Central Midwives' Boards of England and Scotland is under treaty at present.
Canada and United States of America accept New Zealand registered nurses for registration who possess maternity or midwifery registration. Nurses from these countries are accepted in New Zealand for registration on their individual credentials.
Sister M. S. Brown
Sister Isobel Clark
Sister Catherine Annie Fox
Sister Mary Gorman
Sister Mona M. Hilyard
Sister Helena K. Isdell
Sister Mabel E. Jamieson
Sister Mary Helen Rae
Sister Lorna Aylmer Rattray
Sister Margaret Rogers
Sister Ada G. Hawker
Sister Margaret H. Thompson
Sister Esther M. Tubman
Sister Mabel Whishan
S.N. Mary E. Ellis
Her Excellency Lady Bledisloe
Hon. J. A. Young, Minister of Health
Dr. A. M. Watt, Director-General of Health