An extensive programme of modernisation which is now nearing completion at Te Puia Hospital will give the East Coast one of the finest and most up-to-date country hospitals in the Dominion, Built on sloping ground near a lake, with hot springs close by, and one of the Coast's most beautiful bays just over the hill, the hospital is indeed favoured as far as location is concerned. It lies 63 miles north of Gisborne, not far from Mount Hikurangi, the summit of which is the first land on which the sun shines each new day.

Te Puia Hospital, administered by the Waiapu Hospital Board, serves a district populated by 8120 people, extending from Cape Runaway in the north, almost to Tolaga Bay in the south. The medical superintendent is Dr. G. A. de Lautour, and the matron Miss M. M. Kewene. The chairman of the Hospital Board is Mr A. W. Dever, and the secretary-manager Mr S. H. Smedley.

"Photo News" spent a day at the Hospital recently, when the photographs in this feature were taken to illustrate activities and modern settings in the hospital and Nurses' Home.

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Te Puia Hospital And Township From The Air--A Recent Aerial Photograph By Whites Aviation

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A view of the lakeside frontage of the main block

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Rhoena Ward, laboratory assistant and radiographer at the hospital, takes a blood sample from little Elizabeth Williams.

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Looking back: the hospital as it was in 1909.

Like most modern hospitals, Te Puia has the best in equipment to provide for the comfort and convenience of patients and staff. To the casual visitor, there seems to be acres of stainless steel. Meals come piping hot from portable heated units, such as the one at top left of this page. Above, one of the patients in the children's ward, Eva, is being assisted with her meal by Nurse Atkins. At left, Nurses Kururangi, Awatere and Atkins enjoying a meal in the nurses' dining room.

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Mr Hubert, Te Pula's schoolmaster, in hospital for a few days with tooth trouble, has his temperature taken by Nurse Pahuru.

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A nurse putting instruments away in the sterilising room