BATHS FOR HASTINGS NURSES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 57, 30 November 1937, Page 4

BATHS FOR HASTINGS NURSES

Scheme to Raise £600 Launched SPONSORS' APPEAL Swimming baths for the use oi nurses at the Hastings SoldiersMemorial Hospital is the objective oi an appeal to the public to subscribe the sum of £600. The proposal has the wholehearted and enthusiastie support nf the Mayor of Hastings, Mr G. A. Maddison, the * chairman of the Hawke's Bay County Council, Mr F. B. Logan, the chainnaii of the Havelock North Town Board Mr H. R. vou Dadelszen, and the chairman, Mr C. Lassen, and members of the Hawke's Bay Hospital Board, and will be actively supported by the Hastings and District Progress League. In the following message to the public the sponsors of the proposal urge that subscriptions be regarded as a Christmas gift to the stnff of the hospital: — "Every citizen of Hastings and every dweller in the eurrounding . district must be inordinately proud of our Memorial Hospital, which is admittedly one of the finest and most up-to-date in the Dominion. That we are able to experience this feeling of pride is due largely to the cheerful and untiring devotion to duty exhibited by- every individual sister and nurse in the hospital, and there are probably very few of ns whp have not, at one time or another, had occasion to feel a very real and deep gratitnde for the uuremitting care and attention given to some loved member of the family, or relative or friend. "The question. has often been asked, 'What could I do to show my appreciationl', and out of this has evolved the idea of everyone joining together and eontributing towards a Christmas gift to our nurses, a gift that will remain in existence as long as the hospital stands, and oue that will be an everlasting expression of the gratitude of Hastings and the surrounding district to those who Have done, and are .doing, so much for our sick and suffering — namely, a swimming pool at the Nurses' Home. "It may be asked why ifc should be necessary to provide the nurses with a swimming pool when there aie other places in the neigbboufhood where they may enjoy bathing. The answer to this is that in many instances time for recreation is necessarily limited. Also, after long hours on their feet in constant and cheerful attendance on the patients, more particularly in hot weather, many nurses are too tired to change into outdoor clothes and walk or cycle to one of the other swimming resorts. What an inestimable boon it would be for those nurses if they were able to go to their rooms, change into bathing suits, and enjoy a Tefreshing and invigorating swim within a few minutes of coming off duty. "A sum of approximately £600 is required to put this proposal into effect. and unfortunately there is not now sufficient time in which to give the nurses the pool ready for use by Christmas, but the next best thing is to be able to tell them that all the money is available and that they will get their swimming pool long before the closo of the season. "People of Hastings and the district, won't you join in this splendid ideat Every contribution, however sniall, will be gratefully acknowledged. ' Surely there can be no better way of showing our lasting gratitude to ihe nurses and of wishing them "A Very Happy Christmas.' " Donations to the fund will be gratefully received by the secretary of the Hawke's Bay Hospital Board, Mr E. T. Rees, the clerk of the Hawke's Bay County Council, Mr "W. J. O'Connell, the town clerk of Hastings, Mr Noel C. Harding, the clerk of the Havelock Town Board, Bfr. W.. Anders.on, and will be acknowledged in the columns of the Herald-Tribune.