Rodney / North Auckland

Helensville

Helensville Private Hospital (Dr. Max Meinhold), unknown location (c.1912-1920), 23 Garfield Road (1921-1924)

"... a German who had had qualified from the University of Bonn on February 26th 1906 and was a resident of Helensville."

(http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/index.php? showtopic=122124)

"Helensville Private Hospital has lately been greatly enlarged and fitted with the Most UP-TO-DATE APPLIANCES, is situated at an altitude of 400 feet above sea level, and commands a SPLENDID VIEW of the Kaipara Harbour, and surroundings. The Helensville HOT SPRINGS noted for their Curative Properties, are a mile and a-half distant, and are connected by means of a Coach which runs twice daily. Fees 2 1/2 Guineas per week. CONFINEMENTS 25s before and 2 1/2 Guineas after. Medical Fees Extra. DR MEINHOLD Telephone: Private hospital 14. Private residence 6 and 39." (Kaipara and Waitemata Echo , 23 December 1915)

"HELENSVILLE HOSPITAL. As I have been notified of the sale of the Hospital property, I desire to inform patients and the public generally that l am making arrangements for the carrying on of the Hospital in new premises, so that the requirements of the district may continue to be met as before, without any broken interval. DR M MEINHOLD." (Kaipara and Waitemata Echo , 7 October 1920)

He worked with Nurse Gordon in 1921.

The hospital at Garfield Road in later years: "The substantial home of John Grey, in Helensville, the owner of which now awaits the ordeal of extradition proceedings on charges of fraud." NZ Truth , Issue 1245, 10 October 1929, Page 1

HELENSVILLE PRIVATE HOSPITAL

UP-TO-DATE INSTITUTION

It is always a pleasure for any local paper to chronicle progress being made in a town, especially when such progress is of a substantial nature. The other day a representative of this paper was kindly shown through the new private hospital owned by and just completed to the order of Dr M Meinhold, of Helensville. The building occupies a commanding site close to the post office and overlooking the railway station, wharves and river. The best outlook is from the rear of the building, facing the sun, where a long, wide balcony has been erected for the convenience of patients and convalescents. This balcony contains a row of patent casement windows, and if required the whole length can be opened with very little trouble. Owing to the slope of the ground, at the back and under the main building there are servants' quarters (very comfortable), wash-house, storerooms, workshop, etc. The doctor's own home adjoins the new hospital building, with uninterrupted communication between the two, so that if medical man or nurses are required urgently by inpatients there is no need to leave the building. The surgery is a fine light large room facing the main street; in dustproof glass cases are seen the hundred and one shining tools and instruments connected with a surgeon's profession. The use of some of these weird-looking instruments is very rarely necessary, but the moment is never known when one of us poor mortals may develop a complaint or meet with an accident which will necessitate the use of one or more of these implements: they were certainly not, made for fun. The operating room is also well lighted and equipped, and has a free supply of water and an apparatus for thoroughly sterilising anything used. The bedrooms are commodious and fitted with every necessity. There are several patent lavatories and a plentiful supply of fresh water throughout the whole building. Our representative particularly noticed the clean appearance of everything, the studied convenience throughout, and the evident desire to afford patients the greatest comfort possible. A noticeable feature is the apparent solidity of the whole structure —the superior timber used, the concrete sumps, drains, etc. Messrs Osborne and Leech were the contractors, which alone is a sufficient guarantee of quality. The painting, decorating, etc, has been well done by Mr J. L. Bradly. Outside the building the grounds are being improved under the direction of Mr A. J. Skelton. Tar-sealed footpaths, with concrete sides and steps in places, are being made and a plantation arranged, and in the course of a year or two the exterior of the premises should look very attractive. Needless to say, this building has cost a large sum of money considerably more than Dr Meinhold anticipated when he set out on the venture, and the proprietor is to be commended on his enterprise while the public hereabouts is to be congratulated on possessing an institution that would do credit to a much larger town than Helensville. No one could over-estimate the value of the maternity branch, which will prove a boon and a blessing to expectant mothers. (Kaipara and Waitemata Echo , 2 June 1921)

Dr Max Meinhold died 5 March 1924, aged 48.

The death of Dr Max Meinhold occurred suddenly to-day. Deceased arrived here about 20 years ago from Victoria. He was a doctor in whom patients had remarkable confidence. Although never very strong, there never was a time that he did not go out when wanted. He did very valuable work during the influenza epidemic in 1918. He married the eldest daughter of Mr J H Woodhouse, of Ellerslie. He leaves his widow and one son, and two daughters. (NZ Herald 6 March 1924)

Nurse Corlieson (c.1916-1919)

Mrs Marshall, "Ladies Nurse" (c.1916)

Malolo Private Hospital, 110 Commercial Road (c.October 1924-c.1958)

Apparently so-named by Dr Farquhar Matheson, after spending time in Samoa. Was originally Dr Meinhold's residence (which he did intend to extend during World War I as a private hospital, but may not have done so).

Malolo House, Helensville (photo courtesy Liz Clark)

Warkworth

Nurse Kerr (c.1912)

Nurse Missig (1909- June 1913) Appears to have been general nursing home. May have been the "magnetic healer" Nurse Missig at 100 Grey Street in Auckland, 1906. Possibly wife of John Missig, living on property connected with Wilsons Portland Cement Co.

(NZ Herald 1 November 1909)