Canterbury
Addington
Nurse Perry, "Kia-Ora," 63 Spencer Street (1911-1920). Married to William Spencer.
Nurse W Clarke, 78 Fairfield Ave (1917). Married later, became Mrs Timms. (by 1938)
Mrs Josephine Emma Cameron Davidson, "Lucerne", 1 Braddon Street (1921-c.1938)
"A fine of 40s and costs were imposed upon Josephine Davidson for using a home as a private maternity - hospital without being licensed. The prosecution asked for a severe penalty, as defendant,’ although unexceptional in other respects, had more than once taken more cases than were permitted by the regulations. The defence was that the cases were urgent." (Ashburton Guardian, 6 June 1923, p. 4)
Nurse Davidson of Braddon Street was advertising in 1923 for "kind people" to adopt "child from birth" at "premium" three months after the ad placement. (Christchurch Press, 15 October 1923, p. 15(6)
Died 27 July 1941 aged 76. Widow of Arthur Davidson.
Akaroa
Mrs Lyons, Palguerie Street, Akaroa (Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, 9 October 1900)
Nurse Rogers, Smith Street, (1918-1919)
Ashburton
Mrs R J Hughes, Ladies Nurse, Triangle, Ashburton. (Ashburton Guardian, 7 Aug 1899)
Malvern Maternity Home, corner Cox & Williams Street, 1907-1921. A public maternity hospital from that point.
A NEW MATERNITY HOME.
Mr C Baker has just about completed, in Cox and Williams street, a building which will be known in the future as the Malvern Maternity Home. The building, which is 35 x 64 feet, is built in brick throughout, and is partitioned off into 11 well-ventilated 12 x 12 feet and 14 x 14 feet rooms, with a large and well-finished hall, 6 feet wide. There is a 13-feet stud in the clear and the building is plastered throughout with coloured plaster, while each room has an adjustable patent ventilator, surrounded by centrepieces of floral design. Gas is laid on throughout the entire building, while a high pressure hot and cold water service, together with a bathroom, lavatory, and sitz baths are also attached. A fireplace is built in each bedroom, each of which is fitted with a medicine chest, an infant's cot, wardrobe and linen press. There are superior sanitary arrangements, with open drains. These, together with the plans of the building, have been approved by the Government. The brickwork was executed by Messrs Crum Bros, and Dyreberg, and the contract has been in hand for about four months. The building, as a whole, not including furniture and other fittings, will cost over £1000, and the home will be conducted by the owner, Mrs W W Smith, who is a fully-certificated nurse, with a license to conduct the home, which she intends to manage on up-to-date lines; and has begun by furnishing the building throughout with, all the latest comforts and conveniences. (Ashburton Guardian, 7 September 1907)
The home was purchased by the Health Department as a hospital in 1921, and it came under the local hospital board's administration. Nurse McKay was in charge at that point.
The building as at 2012 - Google view.
Nurse Stevenson, Grahams Road, Tinwald (1922-1931)
Nurse Giles, Tinwald (1922-1927)
Nurse Rose Ann O'Shea, 132 Cox Street (1922-1932), then 37 Cameron Street (1932-1938)
Christchurch
Mrs Hawkins of the Royal Oak Boarding House providing confinement accommodation for “respectable females”. (ChCh Press, 13 Oct 1869)
August 1879 – Mrs Westbrooke, of Tuam Street East, Christchurch, offering “a comfortable home and attendance.” (ChCh Press 20 August 1879)
Mrs Seatree, 32 Worcester Street East, ladies nurse offering accommodation. (ChCH Star, 3 Nov 1883) Seemed to be fairly resilient. 1883-1885 advertising. In 1889, she was at 18 Cranmer Square. (ChCh Star 19 Aug 1889) 1889-1896. Possibly Harriet Seatree, born Dublin c.1836, died 1902 aged 64. Husband Thomas Seatree.
Mrs Evans, 17 Barbados St, Christchurch. (ChCh Star 24 December 1887) 1887-1891. 48 Madras Street, 1898 (ChCh Star 16 July 1898)
Mrs Pinnion, monthly nurse, trained at the British Lying-in hospital, Endall St, London, 40 Tuam Street East, Christchurch. Offered accommodation. (ChCh Press 14 August 1888) Moved to 108 St Asaph Street, 1889-1893. 20 St Asaph from 1898.
Mrs F V Berti, ladies nurse, 48 Colombo St, Christchurch (ChCh Star 24 November 1888)
Mrs Lane, Tuam St East, opp Stanmore Road, Christchurch. (ChCh Press 26 Aug 1889)1889-1890
Mrs E Sycamore, midwife, Stanmore Road North, corner North Avon Road. (ChCh Press 24 July 1891)
Mrs Milner, Carlton Place, Christchurch (ChCh Star, 28 December 1901)
Nurse Jones, Oranmore Nursing Home, 151 Salisbury Street (1905-1907); 346a Colombo Street (1908-1909)
Mrs L J King's Nursing Home 149-151 Salisbury Street, Christchurch (1901-1913), 90 Salisbury Street (1913-1917)
Georgina Francis Brown (1906). Christchurch, November 14. At the Supreme Court today Georgina Frances Brown was indicted at on August 6th, at Christchurch, by omitting to provide the newlyborn infant of Clarice Bell Patterson with proper care and attention, did cause the death of the said infant. Evidence was given that the accused was the proprietress of a nursing home. She received Mrs Patterson in the home for the purpose of confinement. At that time, however, Nurse Brown was ill and unable to attend to her patients, and the work devolved upon a probationer with five months' experience. Mrs Patterson was unattended at the time of the birth, and the child died from suffocation. For the defence it was argued that it was not clearly proved that the child had been born alive. Mr Justice Denniston in summing up said that the home was shamefully understaffed and it was abundantly clear tbat there had been a gross breach of duty. The jury returned shortly before 6 p.m. but failed to agree, and were discharged. (Feilding Star 15 November 1906)
Nurse Nellie Overton, 197 Peterborough Street (1908-1911); St Anne's, Merivale Lane (1914-1918); Nayland Street, Sumner (1919-1940). Died 1940.
Mrs Watson's Nursing Home Richmond, Christchurch (1908). Later she moved to Hokitika and practised there.
Nurse Bailey, "Matterhorn", 91 Chester Street (1913-1918)
Nurse Stevenson, "Kotimana", 368 Gloucester Street (1914-1929)
Nurse Mary Raistrick, 9 Shakespeare Road, Waltham (1917-c.1920), 79 Shakespeare Road (c.1921-1936). Died 29 June 1936. Husband Walter Raistrick (died 24 April 1924)
Nurse Irving, Canadian Villa, Salisbury Street (1919)
Nurse Mary Duncan, 77 Rutland Street (1918-c.1922); 42 Hawkesbury Avenue (c.1922-1946). "After WWI and into the 1920s she had a small maternity home ran from her home, the address was 42 Hawkesbury Ave Christchurch ...The house was also called Blair Athol presumably as she was originally from Scotland. Apparently her 4 policeman brothers paid for her training so she could support herself and her children when they emigrated to New Zealand ... It sounds like many of the girls families paid in kind Mum (adopted daughter) can remember receiving potatoes." (Email from descendant). Mary Duncan died 27 December 1946.
"DUNCAN.—On December 27 1946 at her residence. 42 Hawkesbury Avenue, Christchurch, Mary (Nurse) wife of John Duncan and beloved mother of Mrs Jean Dunstan, Mrs Nes Knight, Mrs Wilemina Wood, Mrs Charlotte Palmer, Mrs Grata Harper, Ina John and the late Grant; in her seventy-first year “At rest.” — G Barrell and Sons, funeral directors, Christchurch." (Otago Daily Times, 28 December 1946, p.1)
Nurse Gregg, "Rua Rua", Christchurch (1922)
Elizabeth Harriet Howson (1872-1972). 56 Carlton Mill Road, Merivale, "Awatea" (1924-c.1940)
Elizabeth Howson trained at St Helens Hospital in Christchurch, and was certified in 1910. Between that time and around 1922-1924, she worked as a maternity nurse, perhaps for other private maternity homes around the city. The address at 56 Carlton Mill Road appears to be the first where she was able to set herself up in business -- other earlier addresses appear to be boarding houses. She never married. In 1922, she and her sisters were awarded an extra proportion of their late father's estate -- at the court hearing, Elizabeth stated that her father promised her funding to set up a maternity home (Press, 23 May 1922). By c.1923 she was joined by her sister Laura Edith Howson (1887-1965), a former school teacher who was certified as a nurse in 1923 at St Mary's Maternity Home, Otahuhu in Auckland. Elizabeth remained at the house until her death.
Their sister was Lucy May Howson (1879-1954). In 1922 she was working at St Mary's Maternity Home in Otahuhu, Auckland (Press, 23 May 1922). In 1928 she was living with her sisters at Carlton Mill Road, then around 1930, she set up her own maternity home at 80 Murray Place, St Albans "Sedgemere" (1930-c.1939). She died there 27 August 1954.
Beatrice A King, Elm Grove, Linwood. (1925)
"The hearing is proceeding in the Magistrate’s Court of a claim by Violet Emma Cassels, a married woman, and her infant daughter for damages against Beatrice A. King, of Elm Grove, Linwood, maternity nurse, on the ground of negligent and unskillful attention. It is alleged that the conditions in the home were deplorable." (Waipawa Mail, 5 October 1925)
"Giving judgment in a case in which Violet Emma Cassels, married, and her infant daughter, proceeded against Beatrice A King, of Elm Grove, Linwood, maternity nurse, on a claim for damages on the grounds of negligence and unskillful attention, the magistrate said there was no evidence of negligence against Nurse King's home. On the contrary, negligence had been disproved. He gave judgment for defendant, with costs." (Auckland Star, 5 October 1925)
Glendower Maternity Home, 509 Gloucester Street, Nurse M C Mackwell (c.1931- May 1951)
Nurse Mary A Roberts, 83 Cranford Street, St Albans (1935-1949)
"Mary A Roberts (Mr C S Thomas) was charged with using a house as a private hospital without a licence, and with making a false statement to obtain benefits under the Social Security Act. Mr A W Brown, prosecuting, said the first charge was laid under the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, and the second under the Social Security Act. One person could be nursed but where more patients were taken in the Health Department had to issue a licence which brought the premises under inspection, he said. There was no suggestion that Mrs Roberts had not . conducted a good nursing home, but in the case in question she received three patients at one time. The position was aggravated by one patient leaving after about a week in the home and Mrs Roberts making a social security claim for payment for the full fortnight. She even concocted charts recording the patient's progress for the whole period, thus showing deliberate intent to defraud. Had complications set in or the patient died the faked records might have had further serious implications. The accused claimed that the patient had broken her contract and that she was entitled to recover for the full period of nursing reserved. Mr Thomas said that when Mrs Roberts had mentioned this position to the patient, the woman had said it was no concern of hers what she did to recover fees. She now admitted her foolishness in making records, but said that she simply did this lest the inspector should be put on inquiry by a patient remaining only a week.
"Mrs Roberts was an obstetrical nurse of experience and high standing with the medical proferssion. The Health Department would probably have granted her a temporary permit to accommodate the three patients, said Mr Thomas, since the first was admitted at the time scheduled, but the other two arrived unexpectedly. The first bore her baby within 30 minutes and the other within an hour of admission. Mrs Roberts was naturally too busy afterwards to comply with the formalities. "There Is a humanity angle to be considered," concluded Mr Thomas.
"The Magistrate: Of course there is. The supervision of childbirth was a necessary Institution, subject to some uncertainties, the Magistrate said, but the law must.be observed. There was no suggestion in this case that there was an absence of skill.
"A fine of £5 on the first charge and £10 on the second was imposed."
(Press, Christchurch, 13 December 1945)
Geraldine
Mrs E Storey, Geraldine Nursing Home (c.1907-1910)
Nurse Haig, Geraldine Private Hospital, Wilson Street (1907-1922)
Kaiapoi
Mrs Simson’s Cam Cottage in Kaiapoi, June 1859. Formerly the home of Charles Sidey. A boarding house for visitors and travellers on the banks of the river Cam, also offering “private apartments and attendance on invalids or any lady wishing to be accommodated during their accouchement. (Lyttleton Times 4 June 1859, p. 3) Mrs Simson’s husband John was a carpenter. The Simson’s stay at the cottage though may only have been to the early 1860s. Earliest found private maternity accommodation in New Zealand.
Papanui
Mrs Sarah Jane Hanwell's Nursing Home, Mays Road (1907-1919)
Rangiora
Mrs McCarron's Private Nursing Home Ashley Street, Rangiora 1904-1907. Possibly Annie J McCarron. Widow of Charles McCarron. She remarried E F Nelson in 1909.
Nurse Devlin, "Victoria Home", Victoria Street (1912-1934)
Sydenham
August 1869 – Davington Cottage on Windmill Road in Sydenham, Christchurch, offered ladies from the country rooms for accouchement, with an experienced nurse. (ChCh Press, 7 August 1869)
Mrs Groundwater, certificated nurse, Bowen Street, Sydenham (ChCh Star 9 Dec 1887) 1887-1888.
Mrs Campbell, Ladies Nurse, Gladstone Street, Sydenham (ChCh Star 23 February 1888) (c.1887-c.1891)
Mrs Atyeo's Nursing Home "Kinloch", 129 Montreal Street (1905-1909)
Nurse Williams, Te Kohanga Maternity Home, 167 Huxley Street. (1931-1938). Shifted 1938 to "The Mill House", 25 Fendalton Road, Christchurch, run by Sheila Mary Courteney and Amy Isabel Pearson. Closed 1941.
"The bankruptcy of the Te Kohanga Maternity Hospital was investigated yesterday by the Official Assignee (Mr G W Brown) when Sheila Mary Courteney and Amy Isabel Pearson, previously joint proprietresses of the home, made statements. Gough, Gough, and Hamer, Ltd., was the only creditor of the bankruptcy, the amount owing being £3790. The bankrupts were represented by Mr J A Johnston and Mr J B Corbett appeared for the creditor. The maternity home was started after they had taken a lease of seven years in June, 1938, with a compulsory purchasing clause at £5500, the bankrupts stated. In April 1941 the lease, with the purchasing clause, was assigned to Tracy Thomas Gough, and they took from him a sublease of the premises ending on June 27 1945. Business declined late in 1941, when Lewisham Hospital opened a second maternity wing. Overwork caused the bankrupts to become run down in health, and Miss Pearson was in hospital several times. Miss Courteney suffered a nervous breakdown. At the end of 1941, the hospital was closed down, the proceeds from the sale of furniture being used to pay debts. The School for the Deaf entered into possession, although it did not enter into the contemplated sub-lease. In 1944 the School for the Deaf vacated the premises, and the statement gave details of efforts to obtain suitable tenants. The sub-lessor obtained judgment against the bankrupts for arrears of rent amounting to £62 16s. The bankruptcy was attributed by the bankrupts to the failure of the nursing home because of war conditions, to the refusal of the sub-lessor to make concessions so that they could carry on m reduced form during the war years, to competition -from other hospitals, and the frustration of their efforts to assign their interests and liabilities under the lease. The meeting was adjourned. " (Christchurch Press 18 May 1946)
Temuka
Mrs Timson, Oakfield Villa (1892)
Nurse E Storey, Studholme Street (1910-1913). Came from Geraldine. Married, then known as Mrs Hungerford (Dunedin, 1925)
Nurse Chapman (1913-1920)
Nurse McFarlane (1913-1918). Died in 1918.
Nurse Mallet, Marama Hospital (1918-c.1925). There has been quite a substantial increase in the population of Temuka during the past few.weeks. No less than seven babies having been born at Nurse Mallet's private hospital within 14 days. The little strangers and their mothers are doing well, and were photographed yesterday by Mr W T Kingston. If this record could only be kept up for a month on two, the population of Temuka would soon pass the 2000 mark. (Temuka Leader, 20 August 1918). Died by February 1926.
Nurse M Amor, Park Road, Parkview House, High Street (1921-1923). From Christchurch.
Nurse Thomson, King Street (1924-1928)
Mary Dwyer corner Denmark and Guise Streets (1918-1920). Mr and Mrs John Dwyer, of Denmark street,Temuka, who celebrated their golden wedding on Monday last, are very old and respected residents of the district, having lived in Temuka for the past thirty-six years. Mr Dwyer arrived in the Dominion, on the ship "Waimate," in the year 1874, his bride-to-be, with her parents and other members of the family, landing from the "Rakaia," in 1577. The couple were married at Rangiora, by the Rev. Father Bensfield,in July, 1880, and afterwards removed to Sydney, where they remained for a time before returning to New Zealand. After coming back to the Dominion, they eventually settled in Temuka, where they have lived ever since—a period of thirty-six years. For over twenty years, Mr Dwyer was a trusted and highly esteemed member of the Temuka Road Board staff, and was a familiar figure on the roads in the Board's district. During their long period of residence in the district, the couple gained the respect and admiration of a large circle of friends, and were the recipients of many congratulatory messages at the breakfast on the occasion of the celebration of their golden wedding. They reared a large family, members of which reside in various centres throughout the Dominion. (Temuka Leader, 26 July 1930)
Timaru
November 1869 – Mrs Taylor, professional nurse, at Arthur street, Timaru, “near the Wesleyan Chapel” offered accommodation for those from the country. (Timaru Herald, 27 November 1869)
Medical NOTICE. MRS DUNN, formerly of Middlesex Hospital (Medical and Surgical) and British Lying-in Hospital, London (certificated) begs to inform the inhabitants of Timaru and neighborhood, that she is prepared to RECEIVE LADIES at her house for their Accouchement also Medical (non- contagious), and surgical cases for NURSING. Medical references. Bank street, next English Church-school. (Timaru Herald, 16 August 1882)
Mrs H Simmons, King Street, Timaru (1887-1888) (Timaru Herald 12 December 1887, birth notice)
"WANTED KNOWN — MRS SIMMONS, King Street, near the Park, is Open to Engagement as MONTHLY NURSE in the house or out. She has accommodation at her house for ladies from the country. Postal or telegraphic communications promptly attended to." (Timaru Herald, 24 January 1888)
Mrs Reilly, Buchanan’s Paddock, Timaru (Tim Herald 5 October 1889)
The Secretary of the St John Ambulance Association in Canterbury, established 1885, kept “a register of nurses for accouchement, medical and surgical cases. The efficiency and good conduct of these nurses, and their observance of sanitary rules is vouched for by the Medical Staff of the Association.” (ChCh Press 19 Oct 1889 p.1) In the annual report 1890, they said they had 22 nurses registered. (ChCh Star 14 Jan 1890) Number rose to 29 by early 1891. (Star 5 May 1891)
Mrs Clarke, Marston Road, Timaru. (Tim Herald 5 Jan 1892)
Nurses Lucy Georgina White & Jessie King, "Whare Nana" (4 locations), Timaru (1909-1943). Nurses White and King, trainees of St. Helens Hospital, Dunedin, are going to open a private maternity hospital in Timaru in June next. Their fellow pupils wish them every success in their new undertaking. (Kai Tiaki : the journal of the nurses of New Zealand, Volume II, Issue 2, April 1909, Page 67)
My thanks to researcher Christopher Templeton who sent through his notes on Whare Nana in Timaru, April 2022. He listed four Whare Nana locations (identified in 2021 by the South Canterbury branch of the NZ Society of Genealogists):
66 Wai-iti Road (now 101 Wilson Street) corner Wai-iti Road and Wilson Street. (June 1909—Dec. 1910) Nurses Lucy Georgina White & Jessie King
32 Bidwill Street (January 1911—June 1927) Nurses Lucy Georgina White & Jessie King, Nurse Annie Francis Wade. Apparently turned into flats by Jessie King from 1928.
69 Elizabeth Street (July 1927—1929) Nurse Annie Francis Wade
31 Wai-iti Road (c1929—1943) Nurses Annie Francis Wade and Elsie May Bourne
The first home at Wai-iti Road was described in 1943 as a "stone building."
The second home at Chester/Bidwell Street (Bidwell Street was extended, so Chester became part of Bidwell) in 1911 was likely New Zealand's earliest purpose-built private maternity home/hospital.
"There has just been completed in Timaru, and will in a few days be occupied, what is claimed to be the most up-to-date, private hospital for maternity work in the Dominion. Nurses King and White have reason to be proud of the result of their enterprise as it stands in Chester Street, off Elizabeth St. and the builder, Mr Berry, is to be congratulated on the care and thoroughness with which he has carried out the requirements of the nurses. The success which attended Nurses King and White in their Maternity Home in Wai-iti Road proved that they were fulfilling a decided want for the town and district, and they determined to build a Nursing Home specially designed to meet the requirements of modern midwifery, and the nursing of mothers and infants. Modern civilisation demands that to reduce the risks to mothers and infants at that critical time the most modern advances in obstetric skill, backed up by modern nursing of the highest trained kind are necessary, and the new Whare Nana, just completed, and the nursing to be obtained there, fulfil every detail of these requirements.
"The building is of rough cast, and is raised well above the ground on solid concrete foundations, and thoroughly ventilated beneath the flooring. The patients' part comprises rooms running along each side, separated by a spacious well-lit hall and corridor. Each room has French windows opening onto a magnificent verandah surrounding the whole building, to which the patients' beds may be wheeled in fine weather, thus providing for the modern open air treatment so necessary to the speedy convalescence of patients. The luxury of open air and sunshine is as much appreciated by mothers to-day as by all other sane people, well or ill. The day of closed windows and drawn blinds in the rooms of lying-in patients has happily gone, and Nurses King and White have done well to see to it that a spacious verandah was made. The beds can be moved if required right across the building from one side to the other, the doors having all been made wide enough for the purpose, so that there will always be a sheltered side to which a patient may be moved in the winter months if she desires it. Each room is provided with a fireplace for heating purposes, when the days are cold, or when the comfort of the patient requires it. The furniture is light and tasteful. The floors are of polished wood, to suit the requirements of a modern aseptic sick room. Special ventilators are provided to ensure a fresh atmosphere, even when windows have to be closed in inclement weather. A commodious and pleasant dining room is provided, where convalescent patients may dine if they prefer that to the privacy of their bedrooms. There is also, opening off the main hall, a luxurious bathroom with tiled walls and floor, and every convenience.
"The feature, however, which will be thoroughly appreciated by the doctors in charge of the patients, is an up-to-date, beautifully lighted, labour-room, corresponding to a modern operating theatre in a surgical hospital. The light is obtained through two windows at right angles to each other, with frosted glass, supplemented by a large skylight. The walls and floor are made so that they can be thoroughly disinfected as often as is required. Another wise provision is seen in the isolation ward provided on the western side, whither a patient who may show signs of fever may be removed and nursed apart. There is no direct connection between this room and the rest of the home, it being approached from the western verandah. Its walls and floor and ceiling can be thoroughly disinfected. Its presence makes the new Wiiare Nana always a safe place for the expectant mother.
"The babies have a nice large nursery to themselves, where their wants are ministered to by the nurse in charge during the night as well as during the day. Each has a separate spotlessly white cut, specially designed for its comfort. It is here, amid fresh air and sunshine, that Baby begins good habits under the kindly training of its experienced nurse.
"The kitchen and domestic offices have all been arranged with care, and in conformity with the excellent design of the whole home. As speedily as possible, the garden and approach will be laid off in as attractive a manner as possible. The situation of the home is a secluded one, but affords a beautiful view from its wide verandah. It need scarcely be added that only maternity cases are admitted.
"Excellent work in the carpentry and joinery of the building was done by Mr Wm Hayes, and in plumbing by Southgate Bros, while the painting and polishing was done by Mr Wm Cooper." (Timaru Herald, 20 January 1911)
In 1922, the Timaru Hospital Board looked at purchasing "Whare Nana," but at the time took the matter no further (Timaru Herald, 21 September and 19 October 1922). Nurses White and King apparently retired, and transferred the business to Morton & Pearson, who in turn sold it to Nurse A F Wade, "lately of New Plymouth." (Timaru Herald, 2 June 1923)
The fourth "Whare Nana" at 31 Wai-iti Road.
"FOUR THOUSAND BABIES
But No More Will Be Born There
“Whare Nana” Closed
"For 40 years "Whare Nana" has been an institution in South Canterbury, the nursing home of which so many residents of Timaru and country districts can say: "The place where I was born.” But no more babies will be born there; "Whare Nana” as a maternity hospital has closed its doors. On an estimation of 100 births a year, about 4000 citizens have begun life within its shelter. The hospital has an extraordinarily good record, and it received a special compliment from the Department of Health on the eve of its closing.
“There are no changing fashions in babies.” said Nurses A F Wade and E M Bourn, when looking back on their two decades at “Whare Nana,” a name thought to mean "careful home.” “There’s a little more red tape now than when I trained at Clapham Hospital, England, but the miracle of birth is age-old,” Nurse Wade added. They remember that apart from one or two beds at the Public Hospital, 20 to 30 years age. "Whare Nana” was the only certified nursing home in South Canterbury.
"Founded some 40 years ago by Nurses King and White. the original "Whare Nana” was established in the stone building on the corner of Wai-iti Road and Wilson Street, but from there it was transferred to a new building in Bidwill Street, this being the first maternity hospital especially built for the purpose in New Zealand. It accommodated 20 beds and Nurses King and White were considered pioneers, not only in South Canterbury but throughout the Dominion. However, it was not found possible to continue as a nursing establishment in the larger hospital, which was later converted into flats, and Nurse Wade, who had taken over "Whare Nana” by this time, moved to premises in Elizabeth Street. Some 16 years ago the hospital was again transferred to its present location in Wai-iti Road. About this time Nurse Bourn joined the staff as a partner.
“We both have enjoyed the work very much and would like to have carried on, but the staffing problem has become so acute that we felt that we could not do so. In work of this nature, two lives are involved, and the risks are too great unless there is every facility and an adequate staff,” remarked Nurse Bourn. “We have had many compliments paid us during the time we have had the hospital, but the greatest compliment of all is to see mothers coming back to us with each additional child.’’ The speaker said that there had been numbers of twins born in the hospital, but she could not remember the home being blessed with triplets.
"Although they will have no direct contact with the bringing into the world of any further Timaruvians. both Nurse Wade and Nurse Bourn will still be interested in all those young people they have helped into life." (Timaru Herald, 2 August 1943, p.4)
Nurse King (different to Jessie King at "Whare Nana"), Church St corner of Chapel Street (1911)
Nurse Agnes Jane Baird. Apparently helped by her mother Agnes, aka Nancy, Baird until latter's death in Feb 1934. 11 Elizabeth Street (1920-1924), 23 Sefton St (1925-1927), 59 Le Cren street (1928 -1940), 23 Sefton St (1941-1945), 21 Elizabeth St (1946-1948)
Nurse Angland, "Villa Maria", 84 Grey Road, Timaru (1925-1930)
Nurse Hayes (1926)
Waimate
"El Nathan" maternity home, Harris Street (near Manse St), Nurse Jamieson (1916-1917).
"NURSE JAMESON has moved into Mrs' Storey's. house in Innes Street . The 'phone number is 172." (Waimate Daily Advertiser, 2 January 1917)
"El Nathan" maternity home, at 12 Innes Street, Nurse Reilly (1920-1929). Nurse Young (Mary Hobbs) (1929-1931)
"This morning Miss Reilly, a certificated Maternity Nurse, who has had many years practical experience, announces having taken over the El Nathan Nursing Home, 12 Innes Street, Waimate, and shall be pleased to receive patrons from August 9th." (Timaru Herald, 17 July 1920)
"On the occasion of the retirement from the nursing profession of Nurse McCreedy, who has been associated with Nurse Reilly at “El Nathan” Home for some years, the mothers of Waimate thought it fitting that a suitable presentation should be made to her in appreciation of her services. Accordingly on Thursday afternoon, a number of mothers gathered on the lawn at the residence of Miss Nicol, Shearman Street, where the presentation took place. Nurse McKee, the Plunket nurse for the Waimate district, presided. Nurse McKee said she knew that mothers wished to express their gratification and appreciation of what Nurse McCreedy had done for them by giving her a little token something that she would always be able to keep and remember them by. There were a great number of mothers who were very sorry they could not be present, but they had sent apologies and good wishes. Nurse McCreedy, said the speaker, had been in Waimate nearly three years, and she had made many good friends. Nurse McCreedy was presented with a silver tea and dinner service, and afternoon tea brought the function to a close." (Timaru Herald, 31 January 1927)
"Messrs Middleton and Watters, Waimate wrote asking for the transfer of the Borough leasehold property in Innes Street from Mrs Reilly to Nurse Young.—Granted." (Timaru Herald, 12 September 1929)
Cherryholme Maternity Hospital, Innes Street, Nurse Storey (1914-1915), Nurse F M Beer (1915-1922). Nurse A Henderson assistant in 1918.
"As will be seen in our advertising columns, Mrs Storey's well-known Nursing Home in Innes street is to be taken over by Nurse Beer. The home has been thoroughly renovated with new aseptic furniture throughout. Special attention has been paid to the accouchement room, bringing it up to the most modern standard. Nurse Beer comes to Waimate with extensive experience, gained in Auckland and at St Helen's Home in Christchurch. She has, as assistant, Miss Wright of St Helen's Hospital, Dunedin." (Waimate Daily Advertiser, 14 October 1915)