HEALTH OF THE RACE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10447, 12 October 1911, Page 5

HEALTH OF THE RACE

MAORI NURSES AND DOCTORS WANTED. A- matter nf considerable interest to the Native people was brought by •a deputation of prominent Maoris in the Horowhenua, district before the notice of the Otaki Hospital authorncies on Saturday last- The deputation., headed by Mr Peter • Taipua, asked that Maori or lial.f-ca.ste nurses igliould be obtained for attendance oil Maori patient* in the hospital. It wa., pointed out that Maori customs and usages differed so much from European that .harm was done to N«itiv--* inmates- of the hospital through ignorance of their wants and .needs. Unless the mama of the doctor .was preserved a. cure could hardly be effected in many cases. The numerous deaths of Maoris, in the district recently showed that there was need also for some provision for a doctor, who understood Maori, and- a visiting nurse. Mr R. C. Kirk, Chairman of the Hospital and 1 Charitable Aid Board, in reply, admitted, itlut justness- of the request, and promised that something should be done, if possible, to meet the wishes of the native residents. Dr Hard-wick-Siriith, medical superintendent, thought a. visiting nurse might do a great deal) of good, though the district was.'very large to cover. The chief needs- for good health were plenty of sunlight, fresh air, cleanliness-, and proper sanitation. He agreed with the reasonableness of It-ne request. The Maoris should recommend one of their own race for the position suggested. Subsequently the deputation recommended Miss Ngawehenga. te Han a, a local resident, versed in both languages, for the position.