A shortage of nurses at Wairau Hospital

The previously popular profession of nursing is struggling to recruit, 120 years ago, as we take a flick through the archives. From the Marlborough Express, May 11, 1904:

The dearth of applicants for positions on the probationery [sic] nursing staff has been exercising the mind of the Wairau Hospital Board.

For some time there has not been one application on the list, which hitherto bore many names; and it has become necessary for the Board to advertise for emergency nurses.

It is rather surprising that no young ladies are taking advantage of the Board’s scheme of education in the nursing profession.

Possibly candidates would be forthcoming if it were more widely known that it is the Board’s rule to draw on any reserve afforded by what is known as the probationers’ list when the nursing staff requires strengthening.

Candidates who send their names in are selected according to priority of application; and the system affords an excellent opportunity to young ladies who are desirous of gaining a knowledge of nursing.

It must also be borne in mind that the value of the local training has been enhanced by the recent legislation which

provides for the examination and registration of nurses on a colonial basis.

ALSO IN THE NEWSPAPER:

ACCIDENT: During the process of the removal this morning of an old building in Market Street South by means of a traction engine, a link in the chain used to attach the bui’ding to the engine snapped, and flew with much force up Charles Street, striking a little girl standing some distance away a dangerous blow in the stomach. The link of the chain fell as far up the street as the Club Stables.

“When a settler has blackberries on his own land he thinks nothing should be said about them, but when they are growing on Government land it is a terrible thing,” remarked a member of the Land Board yesterday.

Reference was made to the extensive growth of the pest in the Wakamarina district, it being stated that in parts the blackberries formed impenetrable masses twelve feet high. “We nearly went frantic when we discovered one Trail of blackberry at Kaikoura,” said the representative of that district.

FROM THE CLASSIFIEDS:

WANTED known. - Any head, round or square, can be fitted at L. Bartlett’s, Gents’ Outfitter.

WANTED known. - For Redwood’s and McCallum’s flour, bran and pollard (at mill prices); fowl wheat, barley, chaff, oats, beans, peas, potatoes, carrots, and all other farm produce delivered in town at store prices - Try CHING’S Produce Store, Grove Road.

HOCKEY. Just landed: New stock of hockey sticks, guards, etc. at Wellington prices. Also: guns and ammunition. F. W. Adams, Market Street.

MARLBOROUGH HISTORICAL SOCIETY Nurses playing tennis outside the nurses’ home at Wairau Hospital, date unknown.