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Nurse Betty Winter (nee Brown) with toddler at Westland Hospital
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DescriptionHokitika Museum
We're currently researching the Hampden Street Maternity Hospital (also called the Hokitika Maternity Hospital) and we're looking for photos and stories about it - and the staff that worked there. We don't have a single complete photo of the building and would love to see one. It was located at 89 Hampden Street (midway between Hall Street and Bealey Street) two houses down from the Marquis of Lorne Hotel. Please give us a ring (03-755 6898) or email us a message on; enquiries@hokitikamuseum - we'd love to hear your stories.
The photo shows Nurse Betty Brown with baby. #020007
#Hokitikamaternityhospital #Hokitika #MaternityHospital #HokitikaMuseum #destinationwestland #hampdenstr
* Note asked to correct to Westland Hospital - toddler had chest complaintMap[1] ContributorHokitika Museum
We're currently researching the Hampden Street Maternity Hospital (also called the Hokitika Maternity Hospital) and we're looking for photos and stories about it - and the staff that worked there. We don't have a single complete photo of the building and would love to see one. It was located at 89 Hampden Street (midway between Hall Street and Bealey Street) two houses down from the Marquis of Lorne Hotel. Please give us a ring (03-755 6898) or email us a message on; enquiries@hokitikamuseum - we'd love to hear your stories.
The photo shows Nurse Betty Brown with baby. #020007
#Hokitikamaternityhospital #Hokitika #MaternityHospital #HokitikaMuseum #destinationwestland #hampdenstr
* Note asked to correct to Westland Hospital - toddler had chest complaintMap[1] ContributorHokitika Museum
Shown in this image
Location (city or town)HokitikaPersonBetty BrownBetty WinterLandmark (Place)Hampden Street Maternity Hospital.Organisation (eg business)Hampden Street Maternity Hospital.
Category Information
Category TagHospital
From Facebook
Date Created1st November 2020CommentsLyn Armstrong
Didn't it burn down ?
I can remember mum saying we had mums and babies at home we lived at 100 Hamden street on the corner
Rowena Beaumont
Bernadette Hannah
Well that sure isnt a newborn . I was born there . The only thing I remember mum saying was it had a Veranda right around it . When they had their babies they weren't allowed out of bed for 14 days . Imagine that . They are home in 48 hrs and C / Sections home in three now . How times have changed . Will be interesting to see what sort of information comes forward .
Karen Lawson
It did burn down but I am not sure what year. The register of births book was kept in Ellis Ward . I remember looking up my own birth details. Not sure I was supposed too.
Helen Meredith
I was born there 1960
Steve Lowe
I thought it was the corner of Hall and Hampden... not that I remember... I was born at the new maternity 'house' at Westland Hospital
Paddy Sweeney
I was born there 1946
Joan Ellen Gilbert
Paddy Sweeney so was I
Steve Lowe
And was it Winsley's store next door?
Bev Kelly
Steve . Dwans lived on the corner, then Winsleys store. There was a house next to the store, set back off the road if I remember, then the hospital. I was born there.
Steve Lowe
Bev Thanks Bev... I always thought it was where the Dwans lived... I have no memory of it. Would that have been where Mitchells built - not sure about the name??? lived? But he was a caretaker at Westland High School when I I was there.
Mike Hutchison
Steve Lowe Frank Mitchell was the caretaker real nice chap
Bev Kelly
Steve I remember Mitchell’s built a house there but not sure which section
Helen Ryder
I'm pretty sure it was where Mitchell's house was built.
Frances Jenkins
My Dad and Mum, Frank and Ave Mitchell (ex Kowhitiragi) bought the house at 89 Hampden Street off Mary and Tom Smith (also ex Kowhitiragi) who had built it.
Jeannie Sales
I was born there too Bernadette
Samarra Wright-Scott
Sorry I forgot to ask my nana ! Will see tomorrow as she worked there.
Bernadette Hannah
Samarra your Nana will have some good stories
Mike Hutchison
Steve Lowe is right it was next to Roy Winsleys Store and when I was a Baby it was painted green My Dad came to pick My Mum and I up from there in the Ford Model A
Bev Kelly
Mike there was a house between Winsleys and the hospital.
Jean Keenan
my eldest born there 1960
Sue Leask
I was born there and my Mum said it burnt down not long after I was born.
Lois Stevenson
I was born there in 1954 & set a record as one of biggest babies. 11lb 2ozs.
Leigh Gillman
Lois Stevenson bloody hell!
Lisa Olson
Lois Stevenson I remember that story!
Del Godfrey
Lois Stevenson too much information
Gina Straker
Colleen Astwood
Fergus Bryant
In the boiler room according to Memum, because "it was the warmest room in the place"
Marlene Wright
I was born there in 1944
Pat Weir
My sister was born there in August 1945.
Margaret Suggett
I was born there in 1946 also sister and brother 1950 and 1958 respectively!
Christine Stewart
Born in hokitika 1955
Christine Sweeney
My Ex was born there on 13 October 1961, it burnt down that night or the following. Everyone grabbed a baby and ran. He went missing. He ended up with Shirley Jones, who had-had a baby girl. Annette Martin, is his mother and should remember this nigh… See More
Christine Sweeney
. . . Must add, after nappy changing a frantic search returned the babies to Mums.
Veronica Moore
I was born there in 1948
Kate Fairhall
My Dad, Allan (Tim) Fairhall was born there in November 1927.
Alan Harris
I was born there in June 1935.
Bev Kelly
Cheryl Winsley confirmed Mrs Clausen lived next to the shop, then the hospital.
Marilyn Paterson
Bev Kelly that’s how I remember. I also remember being at a window in the front talking to my mother in 1956. Children weren’t allowed to visit.
Jeanne Godfrey
I may have access to a "slide" of the maternity hospital. I vaguely remember seeing one in our collection. Will look and let you know when I have some time.
=Phil Millar
Dr Jean McLean?
Peter Armstrong
Phil Millar Possibly Nurse Meachen, she took over in 1938 from nurses Grant and Fowler who were in charge for Ten years . In there time they delivered 900 babies and never lost lost a mum. Pretty impressive record
Marilyn Paterson
Peter Armstrong the nurse is Betty Brown, who became Mrs. Winter.
Raewyn Stephens
Robyne Bryant ...
Mel Marquis
Peter Westwood
Rowena Beaumont
Yeah it did. I think i was born there but pogle was born in greymouth
Helen Ryder
I remember the day it burned down.I was on my way to school and mums and babes were coming out of the building and went to the Winsleys next door.I was born there in 1949.Good information about it at the Westland Hosp kiosk at cemetery entrance.
Bonnie Stretton
Born there in 1951
Frances Jenkins
Dad (Frank Mitchell) found these while developing the section at 89 Hampden Street
No photo description available.
Glenn Johnston
I was born there too at 89 Hampden St. There was also a lesser known second maternity home that was once in Hampden Street. The other one was once a private one located on the south side of Hampden St between Davie & Jollie Sts. It was a villa with som… See More
Gordon McIntosh
I was born there in 1954, and I remember when it burned.
Colin Watkins
I was born there in march 1944.
Heather McIntosh Munro
I was born there in 1955
Glenys Tietjens
Mum and Dad - Frank and Ave Mitchell ex Kokatahi/Kowhitirangi always talked about us returning to the place we were born. 89 Hampden St.
Ask our brother Alan (Flea), he’s a wealth of knowledge and still lives in Hokitika.
Dianne Smith
Milly Fearn was a cook there for many years.
Dianne Smith
I was born there in September 1943. Colleen & Colin Mereweather were born there on October 2nd 1943 as they took the bed my Mum was in & we were put in an ambulance & taken up to Westland Hospital.
June Williams
I was born there 1952.
Judy Cross
June Williams lol me too.
Kay Nichols
I remember the day it burnt down
Vanette Hawke
I was born there too
PaulAnthony Teens
I watched it burn
Bev Kelly
PaulAnthony Teens think I remember pedalling down there too and watched some of itJocelyn Brash
Have you had any luck finding this photo?
Anthea Keenan
We were some of the last born at Hampden St Maternity home in 1958... all the beds full when Mum got in there so they had to put a board over the
Beverley Rooney
I think My dad Reg Upjohn was born there in 1923. Have been trying to find any records but apparently they were burnt in fire
Steve Lowe
I think Betty Brown (in the photo) married Herbie Winter... it sure looks like Betty Winter... they lived in Hoffman St
Bev Kelly
Steve….. they were in the next street, Jollie St.
Steve Lowe
Bev... of course they were... I've been away too long and am getting my street names wrong... but is it Betty Winter?
Bev Kelly
Steve yes I’m pretty sure it is her
Mike Hutchison
Steve Lowe Think you are right Steve, I will forward this to her daughter to confirm
Jean Keenan
i had my eldest october 1960 the fire was october 1961 had second one up the hill because of that.
Sue Fraser
Born there 1959 my Mum, Cynthia Williams, told me how she had to bike there from Sewell St when she was in labour
Ron Hibbs
Sue Fraser thought riding a bike to a maternity ward was a new thing, that green mp got heaps of accolades for doing exactly that. Way to go Mrs Williams….and you too Sue.Ian Gilbertson
Boarded at Mrs Clausen's next door when I arrived in hoki. Woke up during the night when I thought someone was being murdered. My bedroom was opposite the delivery room ..
Murray Bone
born there in 1951
Chris Howard
I arrived there 1950.
Jeanette Sandri
Chris Hutchison remembers seeing skinny growcott throw a chair through the front window.
Jenny Jones
My mum Shirley Jones was the last to have her baby there I think in October 61 & dad Arthur demolished the building he was on the roof when we asked if we could get married lol.
ShonaandMurray Marshall
Lol naughty Skinny, gosh I can see it in my mind!
Nancy Woolhouse
That is Jan Gillespie’s Mum holding the baby. She married my uncle Herb Winter. She was a sister at Westland Hospital and maybe there too. Jan did tell me who she thought the baby was but have forgotten.
Jenny Leach
I think that is were was born in 1950 as well , when I had my children there, I was kept in hospital for 2 weeks bed rest too
ShonaandMurray Marshall
My brother found this! I’m not sure if it is the Hampden street maternity home tho.
May be an image of outdoors
Samarra Wright-Scott
ShonaandMurray Marshall Its Westland hospital way back apparently
ShonaandMurray Marshall
Samarra Wright-Scott thought might be!
Les Ellis
I was born there in 1949, I was a big baby and when Dr. Mac McLean came to see Mum after my birth he said he had seen babies born big but never ready to go to school.
Jenny Leach
Lol
Mike Hutchison
Just confirming Steve Lowes comment that the Nurse pictured Betty Brown is definitely correct Betty married Herby Winter another well known identity in Hokitika.
Kaye McNabb
I was born there and remember the old building and the ruckus when it was closed and mums had to go through to Greymouth to give birth while Ellis Ward was being built.
Rosemary Thomas
My aunty, Hazel Winter nursed at Hampden street Maternity Hospital. I remember a photo of her (long gone) of her holding a newborn while she was working there.
Rosemary Thomas
The location of this photo is incorrect. This photo of mum was at Westland Hospital on the surgical ward.
Cherrie Mcglashan
Looks like Mrs Betty Winter.
Diane King
Yes Cherry, I think she is 2!!
Margaret Trail
Margaret trail nee wilson I was born there on 4th th December 1941. Mum-mary Wilson nee Keown walked to the hospital from 171 Park St. Was stoped by a friend to have a chat but mum said can't stop to chat I'm having a baby.
Didn't it burn down ?
I can remember mum saying we had mums and babies at home we lived at 100 Hamden street on the corner
Rowena Beaumont
Bernadette Hannah
Well that sure isnt a newborn . I was born there . The only thing I remember mum saying was it had a Veranda right around it . When they had their babies they weren't allowed out of bed for 14 days . Imagine that . They are home in 48 hrs and C / Sections home in three now . How times have changed . Will be interesting to see what sort of information comes forward .
Karen Lawson
It did burn down but I am not sure what year. The register of births book was kept in Ellis Ward . I remember looking up my own birth details. Not sure I was supposed too.
Helen Meredith
I was born there 1960
Steve Lowe
I thought it was the corner of Hall and Hampden... not that I remember... I was born at the new maternity 'house' at Westland Hospital
Paddy Sweeney
I was born there 1946
Joan Ellen Gilbert
Paddy Sweeney so was I
Steve Lowe
And was it Winsley's store next door?
Bev Kelly
Steve . Dwans lived on the corner, then Winsleys store. There was a house next to the store, set back off the road if I remember, then the hospital. I was born there.
Steve Lowe
Bev Thanks Bev... I always thought it was where the Dwans lived... I have no memory of it. Would that have been where Mitchells built - not sure about the name??? lived? But he was a caretaker at Westland High School when I I was there.
Mike Hutchison
Steve Lowe Frank Mitchell was the caretaker real nice chap
Bev Kelly
Steve I remember Mitchell’s built a house there but not sure which section
Helen Ryder
I'm pretty sure it was where Mitchell's house was built.
Frances Jenkins
My Dad and Mum, Frank and Ave Mitchell (ex Kowhitiragi) bought the house at 89 Hampden Street off Mary and Tom Smith (also ex Kowhitiragi) who had built it.
Jeannie Sales
I was born there too Bernadette
Samarra Wright-Scott
Sorry I forgot to ask my nana ! Will see tomorrow as she worked there.
Bernadette Hannah
Samarra your Nana will have some good stories
Mike Hutchison
Steve Lowe is right it was next to Roy Winsleys Store and when I was a Baby it was painted green My Dad came to pick My Mum and I up from there in the Ford Model A
Bev Kelly
Mike there was a house between Winsleys and the hospital.
Jean Keenan
my eldest born there 1960
Sue Leask
I was born there and my Mum said it burnt down not long after I was born.
Lois Stevenson
I was born there in 1954 & set a record as one of biggest babies. 11lb 2ozs.
Leigh Gillman
Lois Stevenson bloody hell!
Lisa Olson
Lois Stevenson I remember that story!
Del Godfrey
Lois Stevenson too much information
Gina Straker
Colleen Astwood
Fergus Bryant
In the boiler room according to Memum, because "it was the warmest room in the place"
Marlene Wright
I was born there in 1944
Pat Weir
My sister was born there in August 1945.
Margaret Suggett
I was born there in 1946 also sister and brother 1950 and 1958 respectively!
Christine Stewart
Born in hokitika 1955
Christine Sweeney
My Ex was born there on 13 October 1961, it burnt down that night or the following. Everyone grabbed a baby and ran. He went missing. He ended up with Shirley Jones, who had-had a baby girl. Annette Martin, is his mother and should remember this nigh… See More
Christine Sweeney
. . . Must add, after nappy changing a frantic search returned the babies to Mums.
Veronica Moore
I was born there in 1948
Kate Fairhall
My Dad, Allan (Tim) Fairhall was born there in November 1927.
Alan Harris
I was born there in June 1935.
Bev Kelly
Cheryl Winsley confirmed Mrs Clausen lived next to the shop, then the hospital.
Marilyn Paterson
Bev Kelly that’s how I remember. I also remember being at a window in the front talking to my mother in 1956. Children weren’t allowed to visit.
Jeanne Godfrey
I may have access to a "slide" of the maternity hospital. I vaguely remember seeing one in our collection. Will look and let you know when I have some time.
=Phil Millar
Dr Jean McLean?
Peter Armstrong
Phil Millar Possibly Nurse Meachen, she took over in 1938 from nurses Grant and Fowler who were in charge for Ten years . In there time they delivered 900 babies and never lost lost a mum. Pretty impressive record
Marilyn Paterson
Peter Armstrong the nurse is Betty Brown, who became Mrs. Winter.
Raewyn Stephens
Robyne Bryant ...
Mel Marquis
Peter Westwood
Rowena Beaumont
Yeah it did. I think i was born there but pogle was born in greymouth
Helen Ryder
I remember the day it burned down.I was on my way to school and mums and babes were coming out of the building and went to the Winsleys next door.I was born there in 1949.Good information about it at the Westland Hosp kiosk at cemetery entrance.
Bonnie Stretton
Born there in 1951
Frances Jenkins
Dad (Frank Mitchell) found these while developing the section at 89 Hampden Street
No photo description available.
Glenn Johnston
I was born there too at 89 Hampden St. There was also a lesser known second maternity home that was once in Hampden Street. The other one was once a private one located on the south side of Hampden St between Davie & Jollie Sts. It was a villa with som… See More
Gordon McIntosh
I was born there in 1954, and I remember when it burned.
Colin Watkins
I was born there in march 1944.
Heather McIntosh Munro
I was born there in 1955
Glenys Tietjens
Mum and Dad - Frank and Ave Mitchell ex Kokatahi/Kowhitirangi always talked about us returning to the place we were born. 89 Hampden St.
Ask our brother Alan (Flea), he’s a wealth of knowledge and still lives in Hokitika.
Dianne Smith
Milly Fearn was a cook there for many years.
Dianne Smith
I was born there in September 1943. Colleen & Colin Mereweather were born there on October 2nd 1943 as they took the bed my Mum was in & we were put in an ambulance & taken up to Westland Hospital.
June Williams
I was born there 1952.
Judy Cross
June Williams lol me too.
Kay Nichols
I remember the day it burnt down
Vanette Hawke
I was born there too
PaulAnthony Teens
I watched it burn
Bev Kelly
PaulAnthony Teens think I remember pedalling down there too and watched some of itJocelyn Brash
Have you had any luck finding this photo?
Anthea Keenan
We were some of the last born at Hampden St Maternity home in 1958... all the beds full when Mum got in there so they had to put a board over the
Beverley Rooney
I think My dad Reg Upjohn was born there in 1923. Have been trying to find any records but apparently they were burnt in fire
Steve Lowe
I think Betty Brown (in the photo) married Herbie Winter... it sure looks like Betty Winter... they lived in Hoffman St
Bev Kelly
Steve….. they were in the next street, Jollie St.
Steve Lowe
Bev... of course they were... I've been away too long and am getting my street names wrong... but is it Betty Winter?
Bev Kelly
Steve yes I’m pretty sure it is her
Mike Hutchison
Steve Lowe Think you are right Steve, I will forward this to her daughter to confirm
Jean Keenan
i had my eldest october 1960 the fire was october 1961 had second one up the hill because of that.
Sue Fraser
Born there 1959 my Mum, Cynthia Williams, told me how she had to bike there from Sewell St when she was in labour
Ron Hibbs
Sue Fraser thought riding a bike to a maternity ward was a new thing, that green mp got heaps of accolades for doing exactly that. Way to go Mrs Williams….and you too Sue.Ian Gilbertson
Boarded at Mrs Clausen's next door when I arrived in hoki. Woke up during the night when I thought someone was being murdered. My bedroom was opposite the delivery room ..
Murray Bone
born there in 1951
Chris Howard
I arrived there 1950.
Jeanette Sandri
Chris Hutchison remembers seeing skinny growcott throw a chair through the front window.
Jenny Jones
My mum Shirley Jones was the last to have her baby there I think in October 61 & dad Arthur demolished the building he was on the roof when we asked if we could get married lol.
ShonaandMurray Marshall
Lol naughty Skinny, gosh I can see it in my mind!
Nancy Woolhouse
That is Jan Gillespie’s Mum holding the baby. She married my uncle Herb Winter. She was a sister at Westland Hospital and maybe there too. Jan did tell me who she thought the baby was but have forgotten.
Jenny Leach
I think that is were was born in 1950 as well , when I had my children there, I was kept in hospital for 2 weeks bed rest too
ShonaandMurray Marshall
My brother found this! I’m not sure if it is the Hampden street maternity home tho.
May be an image of outdoors
Samarra Wright-Scott
ShonaandMurray Marshall Its Westland hospital way back apparently
ShonaandMurray Marshall
Samarra Wright-Scott thought might be!
Les Ellis
I was born there in 1949, I was a big baby and when Dr. Mac McLean came to see Mum after my birth he said he had seen babies born big but never ready to go to school.
Jenny Leach
Lol
Mike Hutchison
Just confirming Steve Lowes comment that the Nurse pictured Betty Brown is definitely correct Betty married Herby Winter another well known identity in Hokitika.
Kaye McNabb
I was born there and remember the old building and the ruckus when it was closed and mums had to go through to Greymouth to give birth while Ellis Ward was being built.
Rosemary Thomas
My aunty, Hazel Winter nursed at Hampden street Maternity Hospital. I remember a photo of her (long gone) of her holding a newborn while she was working there.
Rosemary Thomas
The location of this photo is incorrect. This photo of mum was at Westland Hospital on the surgical ward.
Cherrie Mcglashan
Looks like Mrs Betty Winter.
Diane King
Yes Cherry, I think she is 2!!
Margaret Trail
Margaret trail nee wilson I was born there on 4th th December 1941. Mum-mary Wilson nee Keown walked to the hospital from 171 Park St. Was stoped by a friend to have a chat but mum said can't stop to chat I'm having a baby.
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West Coast New Zealand History (16th Mar 2024). Nurse Betty Winter (nee Brown) with toddler at Westland Hospital. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 13th Apr 2026 00:42, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/28627