This month we have a special photo collection update, we have something you will probably never see anywhere else. 60 years ago this month the people of Marton and areas where welcoming a new industry into the Rangitikei with which it brought new growth to there community. This went well on until 1999, employing just as many locals as out of townees, many who still remain about today. August 1st 1950, 21 patients were admitted that first day. It wasn't until September 6 that another 27 followed. The Maximum Security Villa opened 1965 this would make it 45 years old.
These photos mainly of the Maximum, are taken before first in take, before the building was even used. For those who didn't know, before the Maximum was operated for the mentally ill it was utilized as a prison for almost 2 years! With many thanks to David Hyde for the images & the time he took speaking to me I thoroughly enjoyed hearing old stories, he was the CCTV technician until mid 70's. Feel free to leave a comment :] Later in the month the photos will be found on the Maximum page and the Gallery page where I will try to find a modern picture to compare them too. Nathan,..
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Wow what a month. Here was me thinking I would have nothing to talk about!
So we have parts of the hospital on the market, Admin block, the iconic Water Tower and 2ha of land. Tenders for the property are to be in by early February and from what I have heard there has been a fair amount of serious interest so we may see a backpackers or someones dream home replace these buildings in the years to come. I can't help to think though who would want to live out there :p Security: From what I've observed the place is lacking security big time compared to the crazy wanna be police that where previously hooning around the grounds few months ago & where either slashing tyres or chasing you off the land with there pitch forks. I'm not sure whether Old McDonald has finally given up & realized theirs nothing to steal from the hospital or they just have the Marton police on speed dial. Either way the electric fences only tickle but I think that's about it! The Old Nurses quarters which I remember spending the night in with a few friends when I first started with the Lake Alice 'obsession' was removed and has been refurbished & is now at a girl's school in Marton, where it is being used for accommodation etc. This is great I'm really glad some of Lake Alice could be salvaged from the 10 years of abandonment. My minds gone blank but there was a few other things I wanted to mention so guess they will be for next month (Oops thats on Monday). But apart from that my blog from last month mentioning security cameras & trip wires I think I may have been miss informed, not really sure on that one but... mind your step. Will upload a few recent photos of the place also check out the few aerial photos I added on the main galleries page, as well as some old photos & articles about the Maximum unit on the Maximum page so take a look... Waipukurau Hospital, Did you see the TVOne fire video footage huge bugger because I was due to visit the place with Phoenix Paranormal that coming weekend, I am glad though that I got in there last year before the fire and took loads of photos which can be seen on UrbanExplorers. Hope they catch the bastard's that burnt it down!! Sorry this months blogs late been a busy month, I'm off too enjoy the summer sun in Australia maaaate ;) Leave a comment or drop me a email if you've been by Lake Alice recently or wanna talk about the place it takes up 50% of my life anyway... Enjoy the rest of your Summer all. Nathan |
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