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Contents of time capsule revealed

A piece of Canterbury’s nursing history was revealed today when a time capsule, found during the demolition of Hagley Hostel in Christchurch, was opened.

Demolition contractors discovered the metal cylinder time capsule during the removal of the hostel’s foundation stone. Canterbury District Health Board staff handed it to Canterbury Museum experts to examine and together with CDHB chairman Bruce Matheson its contents were revealed.

The time capsule contained two newspapers dated Wednesday, March 25, 1931. One was The Press and the other The Christchurch Times.

It also contained a document from the North Canterbury District Health Board describing some of Canterbury’s hospital and nurses’ hostel history from 1862 to 1931 and listing those present at the laying of the foundation stone.

Bruce Matheson, Canterbury District Health Board (DHB) says it was with great honour to be to be part of the unveiling of this very valuable piece of the Canterbury Health system’s nursing history.

“Hagley Hostel played a significant role in the lives of many health professionals from across the region. The experiences they encountered shaped the future and helped build the strong and successful health system we have here in Canterbury today,” Mr Matheson says.

“Many former Canterbury nurses will have fond memories of the hostel particularly of how the Hostel supervisors were notoriously adept at keeping the female nurses in and keeping the men out – although there was no lack of trying.”

Sarah Murray, Curator of Canterbury Social History, Canterbury Museum says the hospital is such a significant part of the Canterbury community and our history and the time capsule is a tangible piece of that history.

“This time capsule, along with those found under the Godley statue and in the old Civic building, provides us with a tantalising glimpse into of a part of Canterbury’s history that would otherwise have remained hidden.”

“It is a reminder that, although the building has been lost, the stories remain and can be represented in the Museum for future generations to discover.”

Ironically, earthquakes have flanked the hostel’s 80-year history.

The foundation stone was laid in 1931 – the same year of the Napier earthquake claimed 256 lives and was removed in 2011 – the year of New Zealand’s second most devastating earthquake where 182 people died.

The Napier earthquake provided some lessons to the construction team building Hagley Hostel with some aspects of the design altered following the event.

The hostel’s demolition this year has been part of the Canterbury DHB wider redevelopment plans for Christchurch Hospital but has been sped up.

The September 4, 2010 and February 22, 2011 earthquakes resulted in the building being badly damaged however demolition has been part of the future plan.

Demolition is ahead of its original completion date of September.

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