THE " BLUE' NURSING SISTERS."

Press, Volume L, Issue 14889, 31 January 1914, Page 8

THE " BLUE' NURSING SISTERS."

A NEW CHRISTCHURCH INSTITUTION. When Bishop Grimes made his recent tour abroad, he was the guest iv Sydney of the "Bluo Nursing Sisters." His LordsTiip shared with many people all over the world, a very high opinion of the value of the work done by these nursing sisters of the Littlo Company of Mary, and he invited them to come to Christchurch, and extenu their operations to New Zealand. That invitation was accented, and yesterday a "Press" reporter was granted an interview with . the Rev. Mother Xavier, Superior of the famous Lewisham (Sydney) Hospital, who, with a party of seven .Nursing Sisters, arrived in Christchurch yesterday by tho Moeraki from, Sydney. Temporarily, they are residing at 195 Antigua street, Mrs J. D. Lance having placed her house at their disposal. It was explained to the reporter that the now Christchurch nursing institution would only be commenced in a. small-way. Reconstruction of a private residence tin Bealey avenue has for some time been under way, and next week the building will bo occupied by the Sisters, and tho first New Zealand hospital of the Order of the lattle Company of Mary- will come simultaneously into existence. "We shall only be able to accommodate about ten or twelve patients," the Reverend Mother said. "Tho now building will be ready in a few days, although the operating theatre is of a temporary nature until we have the necessary time to build a permanent one. Our seven sisters are all qualified,, holding the certificate of the Australian Trained Nurses' Association. 1 shall not remain hero. Sister Boniface will be Superior of the new House." Replying to a question, the Reverend Mother said that the Order with which sho was connected had been founded some thirty-seven years ago. Tlie head House was in Rome, and there were two others in Italy. There were four Houses in England, threo in Ireland, one in Chicago, one in Buenos Ayres, one in South Africa, one in _lalta. and three in Australia. . The Lewisham Hospital was the biggest in Australasia, and it had 165 general ward beds, and a private hospital accommodating 100 patienta. "For .the present," she concluded, "the institution in Christchurch will only be a private hospit_, and these are supposed to be supported by the patients' fees." "The general ward will come later on," suggested the reporter. 'It would be rather premature to say that," was the reply.