Opening of Nurses' Home, Thames
Kai Tiaki: the Journal of the Nurses of New Zealand, Volume XIV, Issue 4, October 1921, Page 193

Opening of Nurses' Home, Thames On September 12th, the Hon. Minister of Health performed the opening ceremony of this home, which has been so badly needed for years. For his opening speech, the Minister referred to the necessity of looking after the nursing staff, otherwise good work could not be expected. He considered that the nursing profession had been rather sweated by the country in expecting seven days a week duty, which was too much to ask of that sympathy which every women poss-? even
to the piano (the lasting result of a hospital ball) and the pictures (the latter the gift of our architect, Mr. Alsopp). Around the room were small round tables, where the board members' wives and the doctors' wives, assisted by the nursing staff, dispensed morning tea to the invited guests, whilst the spring flowers -- daffodils and anemones -- gave the finishing touch to a very attractive scene. On "the ground floor we also find matron's and sisters' sitting-room, in which the ingle-? sessed, but more particularly those who nursed the sick and injured. The erection of this home, the Minister stated, would enable the Board to put into operation a reform which was very close to his heart -- the provision of one day's rest each week for the staff. The nurses' social room looked most attractive, with its rugs and comfortable chairs and lounges covered in shadowed tissue, curtains of the same fabric, and dainty voile curtains on the windows and verandah doors. The room is complete,  nooks lined with the handsome Oregon pine and ' quaint little cupboards with leadlight doors were much admired; and here again there was a profusion of spring flowers, the gift of Thames ladies, whose gardens must have been almost spoiled, so generous was the response, freesias, violets and anemones, daffodils and stocks making a grand splash of colour. The bedrooms have been furnished plainly, but with an eye to comfort, Each room has its built-in wardrobe, writing table, and all that is necessary without giving useless work in keeping a neat and tidy room. All boxes are kept in the boxrooms, of which there are two -- one on each floor, -- and the sewing-room, with its machine, mirror and table, has already been much appreciated by the nursing staff. The bathrooms are quite up-to-date, more especially the shower-bath, after the latest aproved American style; not to mention the deep verandahs, which will make good sleeping-porches. All has been carefully thought out for the comfort of the staff.
After the strenuous work of furnishing the home and preparing for the opening, the matron, Miss Polden, has gone to Taparoa, on the East Coast, for a holiday rest with friends.
Photo Courtesy Thames Star
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