BOPDHB History Whakatāne Hospital History Book | Page 32
let her rest and roll, then putting her back into harness and proceeding on the
way, crossing the river by punt.
At Matata two children were very ill with typhoid fever, their home being
in front of the Convent. I can never forget, after all night watchings, Sister
Clements and her sisters for their great kindness to me, and also their care of
the sick especially the cases I was unable to attend.
The district growing and our work increasing accordingly, a quicker mode of
transport was soon an urgent necessity, so Mr -now Sir William Sullivan and
many others organised a wonderful show in the King Street hall, raising sufficient
money (carrying a subsidy) to buy a car - a Ford Coupe. Oh, what a. joy that was.
The 1918 Epidemic
Then came the dreadful influenza epidemic after the peace celebrations for
World War I, with a terrific loss of life, especially at the Commercial Hotel.
Judge Wilson; Mr Speight; Arthur Regan, owner of the hotel; Arthur Batten
who owned the Theatre, and many others. Too many friends passed away at
the hospital. During this stress a fire broke out in the ward but it was quickly
controlled by men helping in and around the hospital. The Isolation Ward on
the east side of the premises was of untold value during this trying time.
The Maternity Annexe, built on the west side of the main building, was also a
grave necessity and most convenient from the staff's point of view as we had to
cope with a great deal of midwifery. This cottage is now the Porter's cottage of
the present Whakatane Public Hospital.
On the Poroporo - Matata road was a child very ill with pneumonia. As it was
not far away I went to the home on my bicycle, and while there I was called
to a midwifery case at Piripai. Doctor was to pick me up here. I waited and
waited; heavy rain commenced to drench me (the only time I wished I was not
a nurse!). Well, I had to peddle to Pupuaruhe, waking up Kerehopa en route in
order to take me as I was terrified of the pig dogs. Baby was born in the early
hours of the morning and after breakfast doctor arrived. You can well imagine
all my thoughts!
Taneatua was a very troublesome spot. Our Hospital Chairman lived at
Taneatua and one day he sent in a man in a shocking state, filthy too. I had to
cut his eye brows in order to see his eyes, his hair also had to be cut, and scrubb
ing him down to clean him took me two days. Then the poor fellow passed out.
Another man, a clever painter, came in with the D.Ts and, oh, what an anxious
time we had with him. He would wander away during the evening and hide
up in a tree in an old home in King Street near the Hospital, while we were out
looking for him. However, he settled down after a few days.
Another man brought in by Doctor and the Police was a very heavy drinker.
He was very troublesome and noisy, then commenced knocking over the lockers
etc., and frightening the other patients. I phoned the Police but could get no
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