Waikato
Arapuni
Mrs Francis Janet Hepburn (1936-1944). Born c.1891, died 1966, Manutuke, Gisborne. Married to Thomas Clouston Hepburn, schoolteacher, who retired as headmaster at Manutuke School in 1968, and died 22 May 1982 in Oamaru. He was buried at Taruheru Cemetery, Gisborne, alongside his wife Francis.
Cambridge
Nurse Russell, Victoria House (1903)
Miss A W Veal, Hamilton Road. (1913) Obstetric nurse, "trained at Christchurch".
Misses Avenell and Bell, possibly "Erinholme", Queen St, Cambridge. (1913-1916) "Misses Avenell and Bell, maternity nurses, have opened a resident home in Queen Street, Cambridge, (next to the residence of Mr P. J. Brooks). Nurse Avenell is a certificated-nurse having qualified in St. Helens Home, while nurse Bell is well and favourably known throughout the district. The Home is now open for the reception of patients." (Waikato Independent, 3 July 1913). Avenell advertised alone for "Erinholme" in 1915. Nurse Way from May-December 1916. Nurse Bertelsen from December 1916. "Nurse Bertelsen notifies that there is no truth in the rumour that “Erinholme’’ nursing home is to be closed." (Waikato Independent, 25 August 1917). Avenell possibly shifted to Te Kuiti in 1917.
Mrs Collins, Weld Street. (1914) "Certificated Maternity Nurse"
Nurse Connor, Princes Street (1914-1921)
St Clair Nursing Home (1916)
Nurse Jamieson (1919-1922)
Nurse Paris (1919)
Nurse (Helen Mary?) Russel, 50 Hamilton Road (1920-1923). Nurse Dickey (1924-1926)
FIRE AT CAMBRIDGE
PRIVATE HOSPITAL DESTROYED.
By Telegraph.—Special to Times. CAMBRIDGE, Friday. A fine occurred on the Hamilton Road, Cambridge, being discovered about 5.30 this morning. Nurse Russel's private nursing home, a large, old building, was totally destroyed. The fire had a firm hold when discovered, and there were ten patients in the house. All were got out safely in their night attire. When the brigade arrived the building was practically demolished. The insurance is only £300 on the building. The furniture is insured for an amount not available. Nurse Russel is a heavy loser. The patients lost all their belongings. (Waikato Times, 24 June 1921). A relief fund was immediately set up to re-establish Nurse Russel in a new premises.
"A little chap of ten years has sent the following rather pathetic message to Nurse Russel, whose hospital in Hamilton Road was recently destroyed by fire, and on whose behalf the relief committee is still raising funds.' The message speaks for itself: "I am the little huntsman you nursed and I see about your terrible fire and would like to give you my first money have won at the Cambridge show. With love from Ned." Enclosed was a ten-shilling note." (Waikato Times, 7 July 1921)
Over £900 had been collected by mid July 1921. "At a meeting of the Russel Nursing Home Relief Committee presided over by His Worship the Mayor (Mr S Lewis) at Souter's Buildings yesterday afternoon the. president of the Cambridge Orphans' Club (Mr H. W. Smalcs) made the interesting announcement that the members of the Hamilton Orphans' Club had expressed their willingness to collaborate with their Cambridge brethren in directing a concert at the Town Hall to benefit the fund. The decision was received with much gratification and the goal of £1000 should now be reached without any difficulty. This will be the final effort for the relief of Nurse Russel. Mr E. N. Souter, of whose efforts in assisting the campaign too much cannot be said, stated at yesterday's meeting that the relief fund now stood at £905. On the motion of the Mayor and Mr Souter it was resolved that all persons who had promised donations should be requested by advertisement to remit their amounts with as little delay as possible. It, was decided, subject to the claims of other sufferers by the fire, to utilise the monies at present promised and in hand for the building of a new maternity home for Nurse Russel on her property in Hamilton Road for her own use, provisional that satisfactory tenders are received. Mr J T Douce's offer to draw up plans and specifications for a new home was accepted with thanks, and it was resolved to request him to execute a design which would not entail a greater building cost than £1500." (Waikato Independent, 19 July 1921) Nurse Russel was back nursing at her own private hospital by mid-December 1921 to 1923. Then Nurse Dickey (1924-1926).
"Dr Stapley said Nurse Dickey had been in charge of the maternity home Cambridge for the past two years, during which period she had had 124 cases, and so far as he knew there had not been a single case of sepsis. That was a wonderful record. The Speaker then briefly outlined the history of the nursing homes in Cambridge during his residence here, and gave details of the steps taken by the late Mr E Souter and others, when a sum of £1200 had been given by the public of Cambridge, after Nurse Russel’s nursing home had been destroyed by fire. That £I200 went towards the erection of the nursing home in Hamilton road, which cost £2300. This was controlled very ably by Nurse Russel until she was compelled to relinquish it, owing to ill-health, and for the, past two years Nurse Dickey had carried on the home. This latter lady had spent a considerable amount in improvements, installing sterilising plant, electrical apparatus, etc., and had worked exceedingly hard to make the hospital efficient and comfortable. Dr Gower had inspected the establishment, and had reported in glowing terms of the management. The position now was that Nurse Dickey had lost a lot of money in this venture, and was worn out with hard work. She was unable to carry on financially or without an assistant nurse. At this stage Stapley briefly spoke of the offer of the late Mr E Souter to present Cambridge with a hospital. That gentleman had expressed a wish to do this, but the price asked for the Hamilton road nursing home had been more than he thought reasonable, and therefore he had done nothing.
"Stapley said he thought a larger place was required than the present nursing home —one that would meet the Government requirements for a maternity hospital, and would also permit of treatment of urgent accident cases or simple general hospital cases. Such a place he thought could be secured for about £5000. It was not possible for anyone to run such an institution and pay expenses, but if such a place could be provided rent free he believed it could be done, and Nurse Dickey, who had proved herself a most efficient and suitable person, would be willing to take control, and secure an assistant nurse. The speaker said he believed he would induce the Cambridge people to provide the necessary £5000 for such an institution, provided that they could have 5 per cent interest guaranteed on same, and he thought the Government should guarantee that interest, together with 2 per cent sinking fund. Thus, if the Government provided £350 per annum for about 25 years that would meet the whole liability. Australia was granting a bonus for confinements, and there was an agitation for a maternity bonus in New Zealand. Thus he thought it was only reasonable to ask the Government to support this scheme to the extent he indicated. In conclusion Dr Stapley said that Nurse Dickey could not carry on under present conditions, and it would be a serious matter to close the institution. With such an institution as he suggested, he thought she could carry on, and do even better work than she was doing at present. Doubtless the scheme bristled with difficulties, but he honestly thought it a good scheme to work upon." (Waikato Independent, 9 February 1926) Nurse Dickey left Cambridge in June 1926.
On 12 June, Nurse Russel, with Nurse Hanson, reopened the hospital. Then Whitiora, 50 Hamilton Road (Nurse Nellie Sing, Miss Lucy M McConachie and Alice Pettigrew) (1926-c.1962). Nurse Nellie Sing advertises to interview patients from October 1926.
"After a fire burnt Nurse Helen Russel's Victoria Nursing Home in Hamilton Road in 1921, the first floor of 'Whitiora' was rebuilt by C W Cooper in 1926 from plans by J T Douce, for £1,920. In 1934 the second storey was added by Speight Pearce Nicoll & Davys and became known as 'Whitiora Nursing Home' run by Sisters McConachie and Pettigrew.
When the new Cambridge Maternity Hospital was built in 1962 'Whitiora' became a geriatric hospital, then boarding house and flats. In 1974 'Penmarric Restaurant' was born and became well known for its Devonshire teas; then lunches; and by the 1980s it had become a top Waikato restaurant. With the interior walls striped of their plaster, the bricks were laid bare and many Cambridge diners had a first class meal in the room in which they were born. This building is now a private residence."( From: http://cambridgemuseum.org.nz/HistoricBuildings/histbldgsB.htm). Now "Penmarric" B&B (2018).
Nurse Simpson, "Byker Banks" Thornton Road, (1922-1923). Nurse Hanson from October 1923 -1924
Frankton
Nurse Joyce, Devon Road, Frankton Junction (1918-1919)
Mrs Maggie Jane Gibson (née Owens), "Garthowen Maternity Hospital" Primrose Street, Frankton Junction (1919-1931), Norton Road (1931-1935); Nurse Hobson, "Garthowen", 42 Norton Road, Frankton Junction (1925).
"Former private hospital and maternity home Garthowen is the last of five houses to be removed for road construction. Garthowen predates the Campbell Johnstone maternity wing at Waikato Hospital. Known to children at Whitiora Primary School as the 'baby factory', Garthowen ceased operation in the 1960s. The five buildings to make way for the east-west arterial roadway are between Torrington Ave and the Fraser Technical Rugby Club." Hamilton press Wednesday 16 October 2002, p.10 (via Hamilton Library catalogue)
Nurse Sylvester, "Linleigh Hospital" 54 Lake Road (1920- at least 1939)
Nurse Elsie Maude Pedley, "Kelvin Grove" (March 1920-1922). Bankruptcy in October 1924.
Nurse Washer and Miss E H Washer (masseuse), "Loloma Private Hospital" cnr Devon Road & Somerset Street (opened 5 May 1919 - 1925). House was "late residence Mr J B Scott."
Hamilton
Nurse Carr, Dr A S Brewis, Opoia Private Hospital (November 1907-1917). "Nurse Carr, who announces the opening of the new private hospital at Opoia, Claudelands, Hamilton, is a recent arrival from England, where she had 6 years’ hospital training (three as sister-in-charge) and seven years’ experience of private nursing in connection with the Granville Nurse’s Home, where a staff of ninety nurses, under the personal supervision of the Duchess of Northumberland, is constantly engaged in outside nursing work of every kind. Nurse Carr has already made herself favourably known in Hamilton, and finds herself so charmed with the place and the people that she has decided to make it her future home instead of returning to England." (Waikato Argus, 27 November 1907)By July, Dr Andrew Seymour Brewis was the resident doctor, and by August 1908, the matron there was Nurse Sherlock. Nurse Carr married an architect F E Smith on 29 December 1908, and was given away at the ceremony by Dr Brewis. Her bridesmaids were Nurses Swinburne, Holden & Marden. In 1910, Dr Brewis was in charge. From late 1917, the building was used for the Southwell School for Boys.According to Hamilton City Libraries: "Aerial photos from 1945 show the building located on the river side of River Road between Te Aroha Street and Myrtle Street. The property backed on to Opoia Road and Jesmond Park. Jesmond Park was named in honour of Dr Brewis who donated the land to the city. His home “Jesmond”, which was on Garden Place Hill, was named after his home town of Jesmond Dene." http://hamiltonheritagecollections.co.nz/nodes/view/188
Image: 1497-WTW3191, Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries
Nurse Barker (1911)
Miss M M Leslie, "Te Awhina", Whyte Street (1915-c.1930). Only allowed one patient at a time. Now and then, went over quota. (Illegal and unlicensed hospitals, BAAK A49 19836 Box 78, R6901628, Archives NZ)
Nurse Olsen, "Hiwa" Dawson Street (1919-1930), Heaphy Terrace (1931-at least 1945)
E McInnes (Tressider), "Restawyl Nursing Home", 17 Wellington Street, Hamilton East (1923-1924)
Waione Private Hospital, Tainui Street (1931-at least 1945). Alongside Tirohia Private Hospital run by Sister Francis Young from 1926, begun in 1924.
"A brief history of Braemar: 1924 Tirohia maternity hospital opens on Tainui St site. 1926 Purchased by Frances Young, a nurse, who changed the name to Braemar [after 1945] and converted it to a medical and surgical hospital. [In 1929-1935, Tirohia run by Nurse Neilson] In 1931 Young purchased an adjoining section and built a maternity home known as Waione [Nurse Tapp in 1929]. 1946 Three doctors lease the building from Young and form Braemar Hospital Company (BHC). 1958 Dr Wynne-Jones starts at Braemar – the first specialist surgeon to operate. Until then all doctors were GPs. 1963 BHC buys property from Young. 1970 Braemar Hospital Ltd (BHL) transfers to Braemar Hospital Charitable Trust (BHCT). 1985 Large additions to Braemar, beds increased to 23 and new theatre built. 2001 New day hospital opened in Knox St. 2002 BHCT changed name to Braemar Charitable Trust. 2005 Agreement with the Salvation Army to buy The Nest site on the corner of Ohaupo Rd and Kahikatea Dr. 2007 Tainui St land and buildings sold to the Cancer Society and leased back from the society until the new hospital at Ohaupo Rd was operational. 2009 New hospital opened. 2011 Stage 2 of the Ohaupo Rd development begins." (Waikato Times, 17 December 2011. http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6155776/Joyful-and-painful-memories-linked-to-Braemar)
See also the article at this link: Maternity Care in Hamilton.
Nurse Pennell (1931-)
Ngaruawahia
Nurse Helen Margetts, Market Street, one of the two Margetts sisters from Park Road in Grafton, Auckland. (1917-c.1919) Her sister Emma Jane was with her in 1919. It appears they returned to Auckland, settling in Mangere. Helen was still practicising as a nurse as at 1939.
Sister Chalmer's Private Hospital (1921-1922)
Melrose Private Hospital / Ovington Private Hospital, Kepler Street (1922-1930, 1933), Sister Lillian Catherine McLoghry (1922-to February 1925), Nurse Clark (1922-1928), Nurse Irene Brown (1928-1930, 1932-1939)
McLoghry (1881-1950) was a ward sister at Hawkes Bay Hospital in 1914, passed the State Examination for midwives registration while at the Townley Maternity Hospital, Gisborne, June 1915. She served during WWI 1915-1917 on the Marama. (Military file 22/211) She held auction in February 1925 of the Melrose furnishings, including 15 white enamelled hospital beds with kapok mattresses and a 1920 model Dodge car. (NZ Herald, 14 February 1925, p.5(4)
"PRIVATE HOSPITAL INVOLVED
NURSE A HEAVY LOSER.
[BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT.] NGARUAWAHIA, Wednesday. The Melrose Private Hospital, a large and well-equipped building, caught fire at about 11.30 p.m. yesterday. Nurse Clark and a patient escaped to an annexe and gave the alarm. The brigade was promptly on the scene and, after an hour's hard fight, subdued the flames. The kitchen at the rear was burned out and other rooms were damaged by smoke and water. As the roof was on fire it was necessary to take off several sheets of iron to get at the seat of the flames. The insurance on the building was £1600 in the National Office and on the contents £500 in the State Office. Nurse Clark is a heavy loser." (NZ Herald 19 April 1928) House appears to have reverted to ordinary residence from c.1930. From 1932-c.1939, known as Ovington Private Hospital. Sister Blanche Estelle Woods (1935-1937).
Nurses Florence Sarah Turner (1882-1966) and Bessie Ann Jesson (1886-1955), Hamilton Road (1925-1932).
Turner was sole-proprietor at Ngaruawahia from c.1928. She may be the Nurse Turner that secured a job with Thames hospital in 1933, but by 1935 appears to have moved to Edgecumbe Road, Tauranga until c.1940. She died in Auckland.
Jesson worked at the Grey River Hospital before 1918, before shifting to Dannevirke. She arrived at Ngaruawahia 1923 to work for Plunket, visiting Taupiri and Huntly. After her brief partnership with Turner, she moved to Maniatoto in the South Island by 1929, once more with Plunket. She had another private maternity home at Alexandra by 1940.
Nurse Irene MacMahon, Belt Street, "The Bungalow Hospital" (1934- at least 1945). Wife of Alfred Richard MacMahon. Could be the same as Glenhope Nursing Home, Belt Street (1938- at least 1949). Hospital possibly became Fairholm Maternity Hospital, Belt Street (1953-1975).
Pokeno
Mrs Margaret Kew, "Karanga." "Ladies Nurse and RMCB, has vacancies for accouchement case at her home." (1913-1917). Wife of Manfred Kew.
GOLDEN WEDDING.
MR. AND MRS. M. KEW.
[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT. J HAMILTON. Friday.
The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Manfred Kew, old residents of tho Pokeno district, will be celebrated tomorrow. Mr. Kew, who arrived in New Zealand from England at the age of 17, in 1859, married Mrs. Kew, whose maiden name was Margaret Mayman, in Auckland in 1880. After their marriage they lived for a period in Clevedon and for the past 60 years in Pokeno, where Mr Kew was engaged in farming. Mr Kew is an enthusiastic gardener. Mrs Kew is aged 69 and still enjoys good health. (NZ Herald, 1 November 1930)
MR MANFRED KEW. An early pioneer and a former chess champion, Mr. Manfred Kew, died at the age of 93 at the home of his daughter, Mrs F E Whitaker, of Frankton. Born in 1842 at Berkhamstead, England, Mr Kew arrived in New Zealand in 1859 on the ship Spray of the Ocean, and lived with his parents at Onehunga. Later he went farming at Ness Valley, Clevedon. Thirty-five years ago he went to Pokeno and carried on a farm till 1918 when he retired owing to failing sight. In 1930 Mr and Mrs Kew celebrated their golden wedding. Mr Kew was an accomplished linguist and composed music, Even when totally blind he had a wonderful memory, and could recall accurate details of events as far back as 1850. He was a brilliant chess player, and contributed articles on the game to various papers. He is survived by his wife, two sons, six daughters, 35 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. (Auckland Star, 4 January 1936)
OBITUARY
MRS MARGARET KEW
The death has occurred in Auckland of Mrs Margaret Kew at the age of 78. Coming to Auckland from) Preston, Lancashire, when she was 13 years old, she married Mr Manfred Kew when she was 19 and lived for a time at the old mill in Epsom. For a number of years she lived at Ness Valley and later at Pokeno, where Mr Kew, who died in 1930, was engaged in farming. They celebrated their golden wedding at Pokeno in 1930. Mrs Kew is survived by six daughters and two sons. (NZ Herald, 5 April 1940)
Putaruru
Homelea Private Hospital, McKenzie Street (1925-1941). Nurses Brown, L M Cliffe and W R Tomlinson. Nurse Irene Brown advertised on opening in August 1925 (Putaruru Press) that she came from Ngaruawahia (see Melrose/Ovington Private Hospital, Ngaruawahia). Homelea Hospital closed briefly in 1928 due to case of septicemia. They shifted for a time to Papakura (Ellerdine Hospital), but retained contact with Putaruru. Renamed Ellerdine around 1939, operated to c.1941.
Te Aroha
Nurse Dudley, Kotuku Street (- Feb 1917). House taken over by Nurse Florence J Nolan's Maternity Home, "Norana" (1917-1929). Nolan was in Ohinemuri c.1910-1914, then Tuakau 1914- c.1917.
"A REFUTATION
[To the Editor.] Sir, —As my name has been mentioned in reports circulated in Te Aroha in regard to Nurse Nolan’s Maternity Home, evidently with the idea of injuring Nurse Nolan, may I ask space in your columns to refute these false rumours. As far as my wife and I are concerned I would like the people of Te Aroha to know that we are both more than satisfied with treatment Mrs Donovan received in the home, in fact the treatment could not possibly have been better anywhere from my point of view, and I think there must certainly be something mean and underhand at the back of these falsehoods, they are nothing less. It seems hard that a widow, with the nurses’ credentials, struggling hard to make a living for herself and children should have to put up with this sort of thing. No one could possibly have done more for my wife and child than Nurse Nolan did. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am, etc. T Donovan." (Te Aroha News, 14 October 1918, p. 3)
Glencairn Private Hospital (1912-1928), Strathearn Private Hospital, cnr Boundary Street and Te Aroha Domain entrance, (1928-1942). Nurses Dromgool & Banbury (1912), W Mathers (1917), Sister J F Floyd (1919). Fee at the time £4 4s per week.
"We are informed that the Glencairn Hospital which has been under the successful management of Matron Banbury, for the last six years, has changed hands and Nurse Floyd, who returned from war service a short time ago, will assume possession in the course of a few days." (Te Aroha News, 6 October 1919, p. 2)
Kenwyn Private Hospital , 56 Kenrick Street (1935-1942), Miss Foster. Put up for sale in 2009, now Kenwyn Rest Home and Hospital.
Te Awamutu
Te Awamutu nursing home, "near Dr Pairman's late residence," 1913 (1910-1914). Dr A Henderson, Nurse Mandeno. Closed late 1914 when "Heworth" opened. Nurse Mandeon could be Mary Ethel Mandeno (b.1884), who was theatre sister in Thames Hospital in 1916 when she enlisted and served during the war 1916-1919, or Nettie Mandeno (b.1882) who was working as a sister at Hamilton Hospital when she enlisted 1916-1919.
Nurse Cutforth (c.1912)
Nurses V and C Campbell, "Heworth", College Street (1914-1915)
Nurse Margaret Caroline Mandeno, Cottesbrook Private Hospital (1921-1924). A widow.
"We learn this morning that Nurse Mandeno has sold Cottesbrook Private Hospital at Te Awamutu and that the institution is to be closed. The purchaser of the premises will, we understand, utilise the buildings for the purpose of a boardinghouse." (Waipa Post, 17 July 1924)
Miss Ella Elizabeth Davey (1888-1973), "Wharenoho". College Street (1922-1928), Teasdale Street (1931-1938), Wallace Terrace (1939-1957). Buried at Waipukurau Cemetery, Hawkes Bay.
Nurse Empson, Mangapiko Street (1938-1942)
Nurse Owen, Mangapiko Street (1938-1940)