Restoration work underway for historic Duncan polio hospital fence
Published on 24 July 2024
After a successful fundraising campaign, Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust and Whanganui’s two Rotary clubs are collaborating to restore and reinstate a historic stretch of fence on Durie Hill.
The picket fence was initially built in the 1890s to border the grounds of Thomas and Jeannie Duncan’s Puke Tiro homestead. The Duncans had a strong interest in pioneering techniques for the treatment of neuromuscular patients, particularly those with polio, and converted their homestead to a charitable and privately-funded children’s hospital called the Duncan Hospital for Poliomyelitis. The couple set aside their Otiwhiti Station property in Hunterville as a charitable trust to fund the hospital.
Opening in 1953, the hospital treated polio using warm moisture techniques and movement therapy – pioneered by Australian nurse Elizabeth Kenny – before closing in 1979. The homestead was later used as a nursing home before being sold and relocated to the Wairarapa.
Bruce Dickson of the Whanganui Heritage Regional Trust said the project objectives were to “restore the fence and acknowledge the enormous generosity that the Duncan family has bestowed on Whanganui over many decades, seen not just in the Duncan Polio Hospital but in the many other major donations made to the city”.
“The fence is the last remaining vestige of the Duncan Hospital in Whanganui and a reminder of the layers of social and historical significance at the site.”
Elements of the fence have been carefully dismantled and stored, allowing new replacement fence parts to be cut to profile by local joiner Mark Thompson. Rotary is contributing significant labour to the project on a voluntary basis.
The fence sits on a section between the Durie Hill Elevator tower and the War Memorial Tower. The section was purchased by Whanganui District Council in 2020 for use as a public reserve.
The council is supporting the project through a grant allocation from the Whanganui Heritage Grant Fund.
Whanganui Mayor Andrew Tripe says, “The Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust assisted with arranging the new elevator entrance on Anzac Parade for the elevator’s centenary so I know they are very capable of co-ordinating this sensitive restoration project and I’d like to thank them for their passion in taking the lead on it.
“I’d also like to thank both Rotary clubs and the Sir Thomas and Lady Duncan Trust for the grants and time they have donated towards this project.
“The fence is in a high-profile location near the Durie Hill Elevator and many locals and visitors have commented on it. It will be great to have it restored alongside interpretative signage so it can be appreciated by a wider audience.”
Work on the fence will be completed by summer and there is expected to be no disruption to the community.
Image: A.007215, War memorial tower, 30 March 1938, Adkin, Leslie (Te Papa collection)