Wellington

In the 1880s, the Home for Friendless Women run by the Wellington Ladies' Christian Association was founded at Newtown. In 1885, this was renamed the Alexandra Home for Unwed Mothers. It served as a training centre for midwives and maternity nurses. According to Te Ara: "From the early 1960s the number of unmarried mothers who kept their children started to rise. This meant that homes which catered for unmarried mothers were increasingly underused. The Alexandra Home for Unmarried Mothers in Wellington reopened in a new building on a new site in 1974, but by this time its services were no longer in demand."

Berhampore

Nurse West, Island Bay (1919), 444 Adelaide Road, Berhampore (1920), 7 Angus Ave, Newtown (c.1921)

Brooklyn

Mrs Ellen Luke, 5 Mortimer Terrace (c.1916-1932). Husband William George Luke, died 4 May 1916. Ellen Luke died 15 August 1931.
"At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday Ellen Luke, a widow and maternity nurse, was charged by the police with violently assaulting Olive Jackson, a girl of 14. Messrs F Feist and I Salek, JPs, were on the bench, Sub-Inspector McNamara conducted the prosecution, and Mr R Kennedy appeared for the defendant. The evidence showed that there had been a good deal of stone-throwing amongst the children, and the respective families had eventually agreed to let the children fight their own battles. The prosecution alleged that Mrs Luke had seized the girl by the hair of the head, banged her head against a fence several times, and had left her insensible. The defence was that the defendant had simply taken the girl and given her a good shaking. The Bench were of the opinion that the affair was simply a quarrel between women and children and dismissed the charge." (Dominion 27 May 1922)

Hataitai

Nurse Mitchell, 13 Tapiri Street (1915)

Nurse Elizabeth Reenberg and Nurse Lambie, Hataitai Obstetric Hospital, 9 Hinau Road, (August 1927-at least 1955). Nurse Reenberg took over control from February 1931 (after working with Sister Catherine A Williams in Te Aro from 1922/1923. See below). Fee 4 guineas per week. Mrs Reenberg closed the hospital down in 1937, and travelled to England.

"Mrs Elizabeth Reenberg (Wellington), for the past year, has been attached to an emergency hospital in Hertfordshire. Prior to joining the Civil Nursing Reserve, she managed a hotel in the West End of London for two years. Mrs. Reenberg originally came to Britain on a holiday and has paid periodical visits to Denmark. She has two sons with the New Zealand Forces —one in the Mechanised Artillery and the other, who was formerly supervisor to the Bay of Plenty District Council, in the Royal Air Force." (Evening Post, 8 April 1941).

She returned May 1944 and reopened the hospital. By 1950, Ms M Narbey was listed as manager of the hospital (Wises, 1950-1951, p 756)

Sister Mildred Florence Baker, Rosery Obstetric Hospital, 67 Overtoun Tce (1941-at least 1945)

Johnsonville

Mrs C A Mikoz, Ranui (1939)

Khandallah

Nurse Vincent, 44 Calcutta Street (1943)

Kilbirnie

Miss M E Bosher and Mrs E W Summers, "Hopwood", 46 Childers Terrace (1939)

Lower Hutt

Mrs Rachel Jane Nelson, (c.1854-1943) ladies nurse, 7 Pirie Street, Mt Victoria (1901-1921). Wife of Andres F Nelson. In 1904 moved to Main Road, Lower Hutt, "near Blackbridge." Rachel Nelson died 14 April 1943.

Avon Home (c.1939- at least 1945), 12 Penrose Street, Lower Hutt. Ptractitioner(s): A M & L C Lyon, Miss M Lyon

Miss M S Russell, Te Maru, 38 Knight's Road (1939)

Miss J P Warnock, Warnock, Glen Iris Avenue (1939)

Lyall Bay

Nurse Rogers, Freyberg Street (1920)

Mt Cook

MRS. BAKER, Nelson-street, [near Basin reserve] could offer Board and Lodging, with all the com- forts of a home, to any invalid lady who requires careful attention and nursing, or to any lady, either in tho city or from the country, who wishes to secure proper attention prior to and during her confinement. Mrs. Baker possesses large experience as a nurse in both classes of cases. The house is largo, airy, and healthily situated. A comfortably furnished sitting-room and bedroom can be provided. Apply, personally or by letter, to Mrs. Baker, fourth house from top of Nelson-street, right hand side. Terms moderate. Highest references can be given by the advertiser. (Ev Post 6 Feb 1888) 1888-1890

Mrs Bailey, 7 Hopper Street (1893). MRS. BAILEY, Certificated Nurse, has Apartments for invalids requiring careful nursing, also Private Apartments for ladies before and during accouchement. Private Nursing Home, 7, Hopper-street, Wellington. (EP 28 Feb 1893)

Mrs E Baker, 67 Hopper Street (1895). MRS. E. A BAKER, Certificated Nurse, No, 67, Hopper-street. Accommodation for ladies during accouchement and surgical cases. The house is excellently fitted up, the rooms are large and lofty. Every care and attention, combined with skilful nursing. (EP 9 March 1895)

Mt Victoria

Mrs Allen, Brougham St cnr Moir St Wellington. (Wairarapa Daily Times 7 Feb 1889) 1889-1890

Mrs Elizabeth Starkie, 9 Home Street. (1905-1909) "Practising midwife, has accommodation for in-laying patients and attends out-patients as usual. Certified by the Central Midwives Board and the Obstetrical Society, London. Authorised to practice in Great Britain and New Zealand." Prolific advertiser.

Mrs Blake, 68 Marjoribanks Street (1906)

Nurse Kerr, Windermere Private Maternity Home, 4 Home Street (1906-1908). Prolific advertiser.

Petone

Nurse Preece, 14 Cuba Street (c.1924)

Mrs O G M Linklater, Leith House, 35 Hutt Road (1939)

Nurse Harkins, Petone (1942)

Seatoun

Nurse Forbes (1918)

Te Aro

Mrs McLean, 3 McDonald Crescent (1900)

Mrs M R Cullen, (1900-1908). Midwife, but provided for in-lying patients. Started in November 1900, "late of Chicago," as a midwife and masseuse, at 23 Garrett Street, "Specialist in diseases of women and children," and had vacancies for "a few" in-lying patients. Moved to 62 Ghuznee St in late April 1905. Later that year, she advertised for pupils for her midwifery class. Moved to 10 Martin Street in May 1906, then in September that year to 29 Abel Smith Street. Back to 23 Garrett Street in 1908.

Nurse Annie Major (1906-1929) - 125 Cuba Street (1906), 29 Marion Street (1908). Seemed to intend leaving Wellington late 1914, but remained. 21 Home Street (1914). 60 Austin Street (1922). Died 23 October 1929. Widow of Frederick Major.

"Waimarie Private Hospital", 128 Abel Smith Street (1908-1945). Nurses Alice Emily (1879-1976) & Clara Ethel Murphy (1881-1922), later operated by Sister Catherine Amelia Williams

"A BABY PARTY

A unique party was given yesterday afternoon by the Nurses Murphy, at their maternity home, "Waimarie", in Abel Smith street, to celebrate the first anniversary of the founding of the home. The guests were children who had all been born in the home during the past year and their mothers. The number present was a striking testimony to the success that has attended the nurses during their first year's work, and a fine healthy lot they were, ranging from a sturdy pair of twins aged one year, to a sweet little mite of ten days. Two rooms were devoted to the entertainment of the small guests and their mothers, who were served with delicious afternoon tea. The decorations were arum lilies and peach blossom, and on the tea-table were masses of narcissi and other spring flowers. During the afternoon a photograph was taken of the nurses and babies. The Nurses Murphy were assisted in entertaining by the two probationer nurses on their staff, and the novel party was a huge success." (NZ Times, 10 September 1909)

Alice Murphy married John Shearer Fletcher in 1919, and apparently left her sister with the business. (J S Fletcher arrived in NZ in 1916 from Scotland, joined his borthers in the Fletcher Construction company, and worked in Dunedin for a time as manager there. From 1928-1931 he represented Grey Lynn in Parliament, first as a member of the United Party, then independent, before being defeated by John A Lee in 1931. He died February 1934).

"Waimarie" was taken over December 1922 by Sister Catherine Amelia Williams, NZRN (1885-1960), on the death of Nurse Clara Murphy.

"Sister Williams, late of Queen Mary Hospital, Hamner staff, has now taken over the Private Maternity Hospital in Abel Smith Street, Wellington, owned by her late half-sister, Miss Murphy. Miss Williams is assisted by Miss Reinberg [sic]; trained at St. Helens Hospital." (Kia Tiaki, 1 April 1923). Nurse Elizabeth Reenberg later set up her own business at Hataitai (see above).

The father of the Murphy sisters (there was another, older sister, Annie Louisa 1877-1925) was Alexander Murphy, a first mate on the ss Huia on 9 May 1883 when he mysteriously fell overboard on a journey between Whanganui and Wellington and drowned. Their mother Amelia remarried in 1884 to James Williams, and had another eight children, including Catherine Amelia Williams. Catherine was born in Remuera 28 August 1885. She trained as a nurse at Auckland Hospital and gained her certificate in June 1915. She joined the NZANS on 26 May 1918 as Staff-Nurse appointed to serve on the Marama, then worked at the Taumaru Convalescent Home in Lowery Bay from March 1919. She was discharged in February 1920, and was promoted to Sister in May 1920. By July 1921 she was serving at Queen Mary Hospital, Hamner. She was transferred to the reserve list in 1922, then was listed on the NZ Army Nursing Service reserve from 1934. She obtained her midwifery qualifications in July 1926 at the Alexandra Home in Wellington (originally founded as the Home for Friendless Women in Newtown in the 1880s). She was posted to the retired list, Royal NZ Nursing Corps in 1958, and died in Auckland 20 September 1960.

"Waimarie" closed down April 1945 and sold at auction.

Further info: http://www.wellingtoncityheritage.org.nz/~/media/heritage/buildings/pdf-reports/004128-abel-smith-streethouse-1898public-report2015.ashx

Four owners later, in 1957, the Lebanese Society used it for social functions, then simply rented it out. Its story became characterised by looters, squatters, and threat of demolition for the inner city bypass. To quote an online research report from 2013: "Te Aro locals, many of whom were local activists, volunteered to restore the house in order to use it as a community centre. The running of the house is maintained by official caretakers who may live in the building for up to two years as well as volunteers. In 2007 the house was raided by police as part of Operation Eight, a series of armed police arrests carried out on the 15 October 2007 in response to alleged paramilitary training camps in the Urewera mountain range. Since that time the volunteers in the house have offered support to those affected by the raids, including members of the Tuhoe tribe, and in the past five years have become more closely associated with political activism.

The house has become known as ‘the anarchist house’ and is associated with a number of political and community protests and activities, as well as hosting community groups and offering a range of volunteer run services such as an anarchist library, the Mechanical Tempest bicycle workshop, the marginalised genders room, an office, and a seed bank. The house is also used as a hostel. There are occasional events held such as stencilling lessons, screen printing workshops, and the Rusty Tongue performance café. "This house has become extremely well known due to its association with political and community groups, as well as for the volunteer run services and workshops that it provides. It is a local landmark that is an individual response to inner city residential requirements, the requirements of a private hospital, and now a community centre. The house also stands out in the street and is highly visible from the urban motorway and Karo Drive. It presents some of the history of Te Aro that was lost in the development of the motorway and retains authenticity of materials, craft, and to some extent setting."

On 25 August 2020, the building caught fire and was engulfed in flames. "A large fire has engulfed a building well known as the former home of Wellington's anarchist movement. Plumes of grey smoke billowed across central Wellington as firefighters tackled the large blaze at the 120-year-old heritage building on Tuesday night. Emergency services were called to 128 Abel Smith St near the corner of State Highway 1 at 6.10pm. The building was believed to have been unoccupied at the time of the blaze." (Stuff)

Nurse Emily Jane Stratford, "Wainui Private Maternity Home", " with every home comfort and care" (advertised for country clients), 14, then 28 Pirie Street. (1908-1916) "Near Kent Terrace tram station." Lots of notices placed in the newspaper from April 1908. Moved to 24 Cambridge Terrace in October 1909, "4 doors past Courtenay Place Tram Station". In October 1910, moved to 26 Seatoun Road, cnr Henry Street, North Kilbirnie. By January 1912, at 26 Kilbirnie Crescent. By June 1915, moved to York Street, Miramar (next door to Town Hall). She died 25 August 1916 at her daughter's house (Emily J Martin) at 24 Cambridge Terrace. Wife of Richard Edmond Stratford. At that point, she was already in the process of shutting down her business, offering "Ladies' and Babies' Outfits, Blankets, Quilts, etc., cheap" in June, two months before she died.

"Wanted to Sell, Oak Extension Table. Overmantels, Mirrors, Duchesses, Wardrobe, Carpets, Green Velvet Pile Suite, Linoleums, Commode, Sideboards, Crockery, Cutlery, House Linen, Beds, largest Brass Preserving Pan Curtains, Wringers, Glass Counter Screen, Heavy Iron frame Mangle, Baby Clothes, Bassinets. Enamel Baths, Basins and Bed Pans, Pictures. Apply 2 to 8 pm. all this week, R. Stratford, next door Town Hall, Miramar." (NZ Times, 8 January 1917)

Nurse Dender, 301 Willis Street (1916-1927). Possibly originally from Palmerston North in 1910. Moved to 20 Marion Street 1919. Moved to 164 Seatoun Road, Kilbirnie, 1923. 26 Austin Street in 1927.

Nurse McFarlane, Marion Street. (1916)

Nurse McDonald, The Terrace (1916-1917)

Nurse Wilding, "Linden Hospital (Obstetric)", "The Linden", 175 Vivian Street. (1917-1929). Shifted to 49 Ellice Avenue in December 1921.

Willis Street Obsteric Dr. Louis Levy (1920-c.1945)

http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/26163/private-maternity-home-wellington-1949

Miss I Blair, Harris Hospital, 139 Ghuznee Street (1939)

Miss C A Williams, Waimarie, 128 Abel Smith Street (1939)

Upper Hutt

Nurse Louise Renshaw, 5 Victoria Street, 1917/1920 - 1930. A midwife who converted her house into a private maternity home. Considered to be the first hospital in Upper Hutt. "The lounge was used as a theatre and Dr Kemp, the sole doctor, did minor operations on the dining room table ... Nurse Elsie Ogilvie (later Elsie Gibbs), Upper Hutt's first Plunket nurse, also stayed here with the Renshaw family during the 1920s. " (Upper Hutt City Library) Nurse Renshaw was a foundation member of the Upper Hutt Plunket Society. She married K Hoare, and died in June 1954. (Upper Hutt Leader, 17 June 1954). The house was destroyed by fire in July 1930.

Mrs Sarah Ellen "Nellie" Lomas (1880-1960), "Copthorne"(1925-1945), Russell Street. Worked in with Upper Hutt's "pioneer medical resident practitioner", Dr F W Kemp. Mrs Lomas retired in 1945. Continued living in the home until 1954, when she went to live with her daughter, Mrs L (Nancy) Carr in Tawa. (Upper Hutt Leader, 1 December 1960).

Miss Ruby A Smith, "Braeburn", 14 Victoria Street, 1932-1950. Built c.1927. In the 1940s, the private maternity hospital was subsidised by the Wellington Hospital Board and Nurse Smith encouraged to increase her number of beds., with the following figures published by the Upper Hutt Leader on 1 January 1950:

1947 - 159 births, 7 occupied beds; 1948 - 173 births, 7 beds; 1949 - 200 births, 8 beds.

Taken over 1950 by Wellington Hospital Board, Nurse Smith remained on staff. Closed 1 March 1961 when "Elderslea" Birthing Unit in Redwood Street opened (this in turn was closed down around 1989). Disused for a few years, "Braeburn" was bought by a Mrs Savage and extended to accommodate 10 beds, and reopened as an aged persons home for 4- 5 years. The new owners upgraded it after around 4 years to a geriatric hospital. Around 2001 the house was reported as being about to be removed. (Information from Upper Hutt City Library, 1970s image ref Pearce #122,

http://archives.uhcc.govt.nz/nodes/view/22276)

Upper Hutt

Nurse Maraget Lomas, Russell Street (1924-1938). Husband George Ernest (died 19 September 1921)