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Description

Dr Fred Hirst, Specialist Geriatrician, shares his knowledge and recollections of the Awapuni Hospital, formerly located on Maxwells Line. This talk was captured with the kind support of MPR, Manawatū People's Radio at a 2024 Local History Month event. This event was organised by River Stop Awapuni, in collaboration with Palmerston North City Library, and held at Boho Cafe. 

The Awapuni Hospital 

In 1906, Ellen Wood, former mayoress and wife of PN MP Michael Wood, expressed concern for the welfare of itinerant men in PN. She advocated for the building of an ‘Old Men’s Home’ and fundraised, by annual subscriptions and holding events. 

In May 1910, the local coroner (A.D Thomson) reported  the death of an old former soldier, with his body found in distressing, neglected, rat-infested circumstances, which led to public outrage. Palmerston North Health Board responded by approving the building of AOPH in Aug 1912. It accepted 9 ‘inmates’ in Feb 1915 and was officially opened in April. 

Rural locations of Homes preferred by charities and hospital boards with land available for cultivation and away from ‘corrupt urban influences…which had been their downfall’ ie access to drink. The term ‘Old Men’s Home’ was inclusive with many accepting women. Their isolation meant poor visitor access. In 1910, 81% of those occupying hospital and charitable aid homes were men. These men > 65 were often disabled or even if fit were not employed as they could not compete in the labour market as younger men for the same union fixed wage. Some sought refuge during the winter months. They were ‘out of sight: out of mind’.’ Characters’, ‘poor old chaps’ and ‘old identities’ were often not tolerated in public view with their idiosyncrasies or if drunk so were placed in Homes where they didn’t fit into institutional life with rigid rules either. They tended to lack family ties. 

Identification

Object type
Audio
Date
March 13, 2024

Taxonomy

Community Tags
awapuni,
awapuni hospital,
local history week,
river stop,

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