NURSES’ QUARTERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 14, 12 October 1943, Page 6

NURSES’ QUARTERS

Addition To American Naval Hospital ALMOST COMPLETED The nurses of an American naval hospital near Wellington will soon be movin- into- new quarters, built on a hillside overlooking the hospital, facing the sun. with a view extending from the peaks of the mountains at the head ot the valley in which the hospital stands to, on clear days, the peaks of the Kaikoura Range in the South Island. The new building is more than 209 feet long, erected in wood and asbestos wood, lined inside with panelled plaster board finished in cream. The floors are polished, except in the two — rooms which are carpeted to the walls. From a spacious vestibule on the ground floor, the entrance to the lounge is on the right. It is a large room, about 30 feet w- with wide windows overlooking the river which flows past about 100 yards away. The walls, are panelled in cleverly matched rimu. beautifully polished to bring up the grain. There is a large fireplace facing the main windows and comfortably- upholstered settees and easy chairs are plentiful. , The corridors which lead to the nurses bedrooms are separated from the yesti- 1 bule by double swing doors. Each bedroom is arranged to take two nurses, witli the beds placed in the corners facing the door. Between the beds there is a builtin cabinet for a steam radiator, in front of which stands a drawered table, which can be used either as a dressing, table or writing table. Capacious built-in wardrobes are at the foot of each bed, to the right and left of the door. There is a high proportion of bathrooms and showers to the number 0.. bedrooms, and a laundry fitted with tubs and a steam drying room is on the upper floor. Ironing boards with electric points handy are also provided, as is a sewing room. The dining-room, on the first floor above the lounge, has, through its added height, a view even better than that from the lounge, and it also has a large fireplace with open grate. The kitchens, handily placed, are well equipped, with a large coke range, steam-heated vegetable boilers 'and steam-heated hotplates, an electric washer for the dirty dishes, and ample refrigerated storage. In a room outside the kitchens there is a small refrigerator, for use by the nurses for storage of personal goods. For the head nurse there is. a separate suite of rooms, bedroom, sitting-room, and bathroom. All the bedrooms have upholstered easy chairs and hard chairs in addition to the beds. The building will accommodate, 60 nurses and a staff of about half a. dozen. It only awaits finishing touches,, including the completion of the radiation system. to be ready for use.