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Patrick Hertno,Medical Superintendent at Reefton Hospital and John Burford,Grey Dentist.
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DescriptionPatrick Hertnon, Medical Superintendent at Reefton Hospital in the late 1960s [and a member of the first rescue team to reach Inangahua Junction after the earthquake] with John Burford, Greymouth dentist from 1964 to 1991, share memories in Perth in 2017.
Carol Jones.." John Burford opened on Christmas day to help a miserable me and extracting a tooth that was causing the misery. I will never forget the instant relief. I doubt if you would find anyone to do that these days. I also recall he did not charge me but wished my husband and I a happy christmas. Lovely man. Pat Hertnon lived next door to Mum and Dad in Reefton and I recall John being mistaken for him as they were both tall,dark and good looking guys (Well I thought so) but they both used to wear similar types of tweedy, herringbone jacket. On one of our early visits back to Reefton to visit my parents, Charlie Chandler was going to "hang one" on John at the old RSA because John denied being Pat Hertnon, Charlie argued black and blue he was! Was so funny. Mind you, Charlie had had a few at the time."Date of PhotoNovember 2017ContributorJohn Burford
Carol Jones.." John Burford opened on Christmas day to help a miserable me and extracting a tooth that was causing the misery. I will never forget the instant relief. I doubt if you would find anyone to do that these days. I also recall he did not charge me but wished my husband and I a happy christmas. Lovely man. Pat Hertnon lived next door to Mum and Dad in Reefton and I recall John being mistaken for him as they were both tall,dark and good looking guys (Well I thought so) but they both used to wear similar types of tweedy, herringbone jacket. On one of our early visits back to Reefton to visit my parents, Charlie Chandler was going to "hang one" on John at the old RSA because John denied being Pat Hertnon, Charlie argued black and blue he was! Was so funny. Mind you, Charlie had had a few at the time."Date of PhotoNovember 2017ContributorJohn Burford
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LinkFacebookDate Created2017-12-02CommentsPauline Schafer I started going to John when I was 12 after breaking my two front teeth at school (I tripped over). He was very gentle, and I didn’t know who to go to after he left town so I didn’t go for 8 years! When I moved to Aussie my flat mate talked me into going again.
Judy Tawhiti Pauline Schafer sure was lovely dentist,and straight across road from post office in those days .very handy.
Sonja Macfarlane He was the best dentist. He hasn’t changed much. I recall his wife was Claire? My mother (Merika Bateman) and my dad (John Bateman) had Jennifer for a wee while when she was a baby after Claire was unwell.
Jill Smith John was a great dentist. I used to babysit his children.
AnnetteandNick Harrison I remember Dr Pat Hertnon very well. He was a lovely Doctor and liased with my Dad the Chemist in Reefton during the late 1960,s.
Ave Muir Had nurse Farquhar?? At grey main school, to do our teeth, from Camerons . Loved her to bits, was so kind and gentle even though it hurt like ??
Carol Cook Ave Muir Barbara Farquhar lived in Runanga and worked at school
Ave Muir Carol Cook She did Carol, went too a West Coast reunion years ago in Hamilton and caught up with her in her nuns habit. Was an awesome catch up
Ray Vincent Visited John, (above Grey motors?) Marilyn who i went to school with worked there.
Pauline Schafer John’s wife Clare was my ranger guide leader when I was a teenager. She was lovely too.
Mary Costello Great Dentist Mr Burford.....My face stopped a soccer ball when I was about 12.....my front teeth loosened....Dad took me to John who fixed me up....he told Dad I had lovely healthy teeth....no holes and no fillings. John told Dad to bring me back in …See More
Bill Johnsen The whole class froze at Runanga school, when the latest pupil returned to the class room after a visit to the dental nurse ,and approached the teacher and said "Nurse wants to see........."
Ann Beech Good memories of John. Removed one of my wisdom teeth
And yes anaesthetic used. Brilliant!!
Patricia Heveldt John was a brilliant dentist. I can remember way back when I had bad toothache, when he was operating above where Olsens Pharmacy is now. He had me go down to the surgery at about 11 at night. Nothing was too much for him.Lovely man.
Linda Howard It did seem odd at the time that when we stopped going to dental nurses and went to a proper dentist we didn’t need fillings. Apparently (of this there is much truth) dental nurses were paid for how many fillings they did.....a phenomenal amount of us have what is known as “ the Australian Trench” ( yes, it happened in Aussie too) it also happened in England. My dentist also noted that as it was harder to fill bottom teeth in the middle of the mouth they left them alone.
We were the victims of some nasty dental nurses and their foot pedal drills..of course no anaesthetic. There were a limited number of nice decent dental nurses but not too many.
Mary Costello Linda Howard too true Linda
Brent Duggan I still have a phobia about getting dental work done .... thanks to those bloody dental nurses and their foot powered slow drills. I don’t get anything done without a needle. I am sure many of the kids from the 50s 60s feel the same.
Ave Muir Brent Duggan They we’re doing their job for goodness sake. Harden up
Nina Carpenter John Burford was also a very good photographer, he put out a lovely book called The Coast and the Coasters. Lots of familiar faces in it, I still have my copy.
Pauline Schafer Nina Carpenter I found a copy of it in a sales table on the Gold Coast about 8 years ago.
Di Mitchell Nina Carpenter I recall the book as a child. My Dad John Mulligan featured. He & John Burford were friends for many years.
Kevin Douglas When Dr Ash Heaphy retired Reefton was without a Dr and the Health Dept seemed reluctant to take any action, a public meeting was organised by the Miners Union, the meeting was well attended and as a result some pressure from MPs
had a young Dr Hertnon arrive to take up the position of Hospital Super and a private GP practice.I met him some years later at the Americas Cup in Fremantle.
Sue Bousfield Yes Linda I recall them well and I always thought the fillings we had were not always warranted. Put of dentists even though I still go it certainly made us nervous of the visits.
Lisa Todd John Burford was my dads dentist back many years ago he lives in Auckland now
Lynne Brown I worked at Nicholls north Nicholls above ford motors John but ford across the landing. He came in one day always having a joke said I have something for you Lynne put out your hand. I did and he had set a great big spider in the clear denture stuff all hardened god did I let out a scream. Bosses came running out all laughing. He was a very nice bloke.
Dianne Norton-Taylor I used to go to him when I couldn't get into Hoki dentist
Ronlyn Dyeming The dentist nurse at Blaketown school got bitten by distress pupils many times.
Chris Verstappen I used to work for him in the holidays when I went to boarding school and babysat their beautiful children at times as well .
He was also a great photographer and took photos of my family's (Ferguson's) in the book Coasters
I also became a dental nurse as was my passion from when I was a little girl at Greymain School
I am now a Dental Assistant at NMDHB and I love it
Fantastic patients and I may add I was a very compassionate D Nurse in my day
Jill Kramer I remember going to Dr. Burford as a teenager. As others said, the experience was much better than the school dental nurse. I hated going to the dentist for many years after having all those fillings done by the dental nurse.
Arthur Bass John was also the Dentist with the Medics when doing Annual Camps during National Service.
Colleen Huffam He was my dentist when I needed braces. Then when the school dental nurse said my son needed fillings in 1990 I took him to John who said no.
I removed him from the school dental program and took him to John. My son is 34 and not one filling thanks to him
Trish Briggs I worked for John in Albert Street for a while and he was also my dentist from time I went to high school.When I moved to Christchurch I used to come home Show Weekend and get any work I needed doing on the Friday. He always made 2 appointments for me.
Carol Jones
John Burford opened on Christmas day to help a miserable me and extracting a tooth that was causing the misery. I will never forget the instant relief. I doubt if you would find anyone to do that these days. I also recall he did not charge me but wished my husband and I a happy christmas. Lovely man. Pat Hertnon lived next door to Mum and Dad in Reefton and I recall John being mistaken for him as they were both tall,dark and good looking guys (Well I thought so) but they both used to wear similar types of tweedy, herringbone jacket. On one of our early visits back to Reefton to visit my parents, Charlie Chandler was going to "hang one" on John at the old RSA because John denied being Pat Hertnon, Charlie argued black and blue he was! Was so funny. Mind you, Charlie had had a few at the time
Ann Findlay John was a great dentist
Brian Steele I remember him. Think his practice was in Albert Street. If my memory serves me correctly I think that's where our neighbour Maria Davies from Dobson worked.
Pauline Schafer It was there in later years Brian.
Brian Steele Pauline Schafer Maria was a lovely lady. Think she is in Christchurch now
Pauline Schafer Brian, I'm sorry to tell you, but Maria died a few years ago.
Janet McLennan I remember Pat really well. He was the Dr in Reefton when Jen was born.
Patrick Casserly Was their a mr Taylor that lived in Taylorvill or some one l ike that
Heather Reid John told me he's never herd so many swear words come out from my mouth I was out to it lol
Des Kennedy I was one of John's first patients when he came to Greymouth.
Sonja Macfarlane He was a close friend of my dad, John Bateman
Heather Reid Sonja Macfarlane hello Sonja this is Heather was Curtis lived in Matai had kids Darren Curtis an Amanda
Sonja Macfarlane Heather Reid hi there! A blast from the past! I’m living in Hamilton now. Are you still on the coast?
Heather Reid Sonja Macfarlane no live in ChCh I see you friends with Kerrie and Jim Coiller
Sonja Macfarlane Heather Reid Yes - I used to work with Kerrie at MoE
Owen Winstanley No mention so far of his ability to play basketball. I played with John in the 'Wreds" club and in numerous rep games for the Coast. There is a photo on this site of the both of us in a rep team from the early 1970's. He was a good basketballer and being about 6' 4' also worked to his advantage. He was a funny man and great entertainment on trips away ...........when he could find the time in his busy life to join us
Heather Newby I just remembered that.. thanks for reminding me
Sonja Macfarlane Owen Winstanley we lost him in 2003. Miss him heaps
Owen Winstanley Sonja Macfarlane Sorry Sonja, I was meaning John Burford. I do remember your father well and Mat, of course, who also played for Wreds and the Coast.
Sonja Macfarlane Owen Winstanley oh sorry! Yes those were the days
Jean Mehrtens Very gentle dentist - and I didn’t pay anything ... still got all my teeth except one thanks to the dental nurses and John - neither of the parents who raised me had their own teeth so it is a bit of a miracle really with no fluoride...
Heather Newby I`m envious...i have problems with my teeth.. arghhhh! anyway.. well done Jean..
Terry Waghorn I went to John as a school kid. Last visit he mistakenly applied anaesthetic on left side of my mouth and started drilling tooth on my right side. After my protesting he decided to complete the filling anyway. I sat through the drilling and had to put up with the after effect of the anesthetic also. To make things worse he charged me $4 for the filling and $13 for the anesthetic a lot of money for a school kid then and I still remember. Good old days
Brian Beban I have many stories of John Burford. He was our neighbour in Nelson St for many years. Once, Mum cut down an overhanging branch of a flowering tree at our front gate and John was ropable and let off a few words Mum was astounded to hear. He was also an Army Reserve Officer and told me once about flying within a canyon like valley in a Huey in Fiji with some mad pilot. He also went up to Yellowknife in far Nth Canadian NW Territories as relieving Dentist for a winter or 2. Great all round guy.
Pauline Burrows Adding to that ..he is a quality Photographer ..plus was a social Basketball Player...a Guy with many Talents..
Judy Tawhiti Pauline Schafer sure was lovely dentist,and straight across road from post office in those days .very handy.
Sonja Macfarlane He was the best dentist. He hasn’t changed much. I recall his wife was Claire? My mother (Merika Bateman) and my dad (John Bateman) had Jennifer for a wee while when she was a baby after Claire was unwell.
Jill Smith John was a great dentist. I used to babysit his children.
AnnetteandNick Harrison I remember Dr Pat Hertnon very well. He was a lovely Doctor and liased with my Dad the Chemist in Reefton during the late 1960,s.
Ave Muir Had nurse Farquhar?? At grey main school, to do our teeth, from Camerons . Loved her to bits, was so kind and gentle even though it hurt like ??
Carol Cook Ave Muir Barbara Farquhar lived in Runanga and worked at school
Ave Muir Carol Cook She did Carol, went too a West Coast reunion years ago in Hamilton and caught up with her in her nuns habit. Was an awesome catch up
Ray Vincent Visited John, (above Grey motors?) Marilyn who i went to school with worked there.
Pauline Schafer John’s wife Clare was my ranger guide leader when I was a teenager. She was lovely too.
Mary Costello Great Dentist Mr Burford.....My face stopped a soccer ball when I was about 12.....my front teeth loosened....Dad took me to John who fixed me up....he told Dad I had lovely healthy teeth....no holes and no fillings. John told Dad to bring me back in …See More
Bill Johnsen The whole class froze at Runanga school, when the latest pupil returned to the class room after a visit to the dental nurse ,and approached the teacher and said "Nurse wants to see........."
Ann Beech Good memories of John. Removed one of my wisdom teeth
And yes anaesthetic used. Brilliant!!
Patricia Heveldt John was a brilliant dentist. I can remember way back when I had bad toothache, when he was operating above where Olsens Pharmacy is now. He had me go down to the surgery at about 11 at night. Nothing was too much for him.Lovely man.
Linda Howard It did seem odd at the time that when we stopped going to dental nurses and went to a proper dentist we didn’t need fillings. Apparently (of this there is much truth) dental nurses were paid for how many fillings they did.....a phenomenal amount of us have what is known as “ the Australian Trench” ( yes, it happened in Aussie too) it also happened in England. My dentist also noted that as it was harder to fill bottom teeth in the middle of the mouth they left them alone.
We were the victims of some nasty dental nurses and their foot pedal drills..of course no anaesthetic. There were a limited number of nice decent dental nurses but not too many.
Mary Costello Linda Howard too true Linda
Brent Duggan I still have a phobia about getting dental work done .... thanks to those bloody dental nurses and their foot powered slow drills. I don’t get anything done without a needle. I am sure many of the kids from the 50s 60s feel the same.
Ave Muir Brent Duggan They we’re doing their job for goodness sake. Harden up
Nina Carpenter John Burford was also a very good photographer, he put out a lovely book called The Coast and the Coasters. Lots of familiar faces in it, I still have my copy.
Pauline Schafer Nina Carpenter I found a copy of it in a sales table on the Gold Coast about 8 years ago.
Di Mitchell Nina Carpenter I recall the book as a child. My Dad John Mulligan featured. He & John Burford were friends for many years.
Kevin Douglas When Dr Ash Heaphy retired Reefton was without a Dr and the Health Dept seemed reluctant to take any action, a public meeting was organised by the Miners Union, the meeting was well attended and as a result some pressure from MPs
had a young Dr Hertnon arrive to take up the position of Hospital Super and a private GP practice.I met him some years later at the Americas Cup in Fremantle.
Sue Bousfield Yes Linda I recall them well and I always thought the fillings we had were not always warranted. Put of dentists even though I still go it certainly made us nervous of the visits.
Lisa Todd John Burford was my dads dentist back many years ago he lives in Auckland now
Lynne Brown I worked at Nicholls north Nicholls above ford motors John but ford across the landing. He came in one day always having a joke said I have something for you Lynne put out your hand. I did and he had set a great big spider in the clear denture stuff all hardened god did I let out a scream. Bosses came running out all laughing. He was a very nice bloke.
Dianne Norton-Taylor I used to go to him when I couldn't get into Hoki dentist
Ronlyn Dyeming The dentist nurse at Blaketown school got bitten by distress pupils many times.
Chris Verstappen I used to work for him in the holidays when I went to boarding school and babysat their beautiful children at times as well .
He was also a great photographer and took photos of my family's (Ferguson's) in the book Coasters
I also became a dental nurse as was my passion from when I was a little girl at Greymain School
I am now a Dental Assistant at NMDHB and I love it
Fantastic patients and I may add I was a very compassionate D Nurse in my day
Jill Kramer I remember going to Dr. Burford as a teenager. As others said, the experience was much better than the school dental nurse. I hated going to the dentist for many years after having all those fillings done by the dental nurse.
Arthur Bass John was also the Dentist with the Medics when doing Annual Camps during National Service.
Colleen Huffam He was my dentist when I needed braces. Then when the school dental nurse said my son needed fillings in 1990 I took him to John who said no.
I removed him from the school dental program and took him to John. My son is 34 and not one filling thanks to him
Trish Briggs I worked for John in Albert Street for a while and he was also my dentist from time I went to high school.When I moved to Christchurch I used to come home Show Weekend and get any work I needed doing on the Friday. He always made 2 appointments for me.
Carol Jones
John Burford opened on Christmas day to help a miserable me and extracting a tooth that was causing the misery. I will never forget the instant relief. I doubt if you would find anyone to do that these days. I also recall he did not charge me but wished my husband and I a happy christmas. Lovely man. Pat Hertnon lived next door to Mum and Dad in Reefton and I recall John being mistaken for him as they were both tall,dark and good looking guys (Well I thought so) but they both used to wear similar types of tweedy, herringbone jacket. On one of our early visits back to Reefton to visit my parents, Charlie Chandler was going to "hang one" on John at the old RSA because John denied being Pat Hertnon, Charlie argued black and blue he was! Was so funny. Mind you, Charlie had had a few at the time
Ann Findlay John was a great dentist
Brian Steele I remember him. Think his practice was in Albert Street. If my memory serves me correctly I think that's where our neighbour Maria Davies from Dobson worked.
Pauline Schafer It was there in later years Brian.
Brian Steele Pauline Schafer Maria was a lovely lady. Think she is in Christchurch now
Pauline Schafer Brian, I'm sorry to tell you, but Maria died a few years ago.
Janet McLennan I remember Pat really well. He was the Dr in Reefton when Jen was born.
Patrick Casserly Was their a mr Taylor that lived in Taylorvill or some one l ike that
Heather Reid John told me he's never herd so many swear words come out from my mouth I was out to it lol
Des Kennedy I was one of John's first patients when he came to Greymouth.
Sonja Macfarlane He was a close friend of my dad, John Bateman
Heather Reid Sonja Macfarlane hello Sonja this is Heather was Curtis lived in Matai had kids Darren Curtis an Amanda
Sonja Macfarlane Heather Reid hi there! A blast from the past! I’m living in Hamilton now. Are you still on the coast?
Heather Reid Sonja Macfarlane no live in ChCh I see you friends with Kerrie and Jim Coiller
Sonja Macfarlane Heather Reid Yes - I used to work with Kerrie at MoE
Owen Winstanley No mention so far of his ability to play basketball. I played with John in the 'Wreds" club and in numerous rep games for the Coast. There is a photo on this site of the both of us in a rep team from the early 1970's. He was a good basketballer and being about 6' 4' also worked to his advantage. He was a funny man and great entertainment on trips away ...........when he could find the time in his busy life to join us
Heather Newby I just remembered that.. thanks for reminding me
Sonja Macfarlane Owen Winstanley we lost him in 2003. Miss him heaps
Owen Winstanley Sonja Macfarlane Sorry Sonja, I was meaning John Burford. I do remember your father well and Mat, of course, who also played for Wreds and the Coast.
Sonja Macfarlane Owen Winstanley oh sorry! Yes those were the days
Jean Mehrtens Very gentle dentist - and I didn’t pay anything ... still got all my teeth except one thanks to the dental nurses and John - neither of the parents who raised me had their own teeth so it is a bit of a miracle really with no fluoride...
Heather Newby I`m envious...i have problems with my teeth.. arghhhh! anyway.. well done Jean..
Terry Waghorn I went to John as a school kid. Last visit he mistakenly applied anaesthetic on left side of my mouth and started drilling tooth on my right side. After my protesting he decided to complete the filling anyway. I sat through the drilling and had to put up with the after effect of the anesthetic also. To make things worse he charged me $4 for the filling and $13 for the anesthetic a lot of money for a school kid then and I still remember. Good old days
Brian Beban I have many stories of John Burford. He was our neighbour in Nelson St for many years. Once, Mum cut down an overhanging branch of a flowering tree at our front gate and John was ropable and let off a few words Mum was astounded to hear. He was also an Army Reserve Officer and told me once about flying within a canyon like valley in a Huey in Fiji with some mad pilot. He also went up to Yellowknife in far Nth Canadian NW Territories as relieving Dentist for a winter or 2. Great all round guy.
Pauline Burrows Adding to that ..he is a quality Photographer ..plus was a social Basketball Player...a Guy with many Talents..
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West Coast New Zealand History (10th Mar 2020). Patrick Hertno,Medical Superintendent at Reefton Hospital and John Burford,Grey Dentist.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 25th Apr 2026 00:51, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/22472