A question often asked after completion of the hospital was, why had the 4 wards been placed to the south in the shade of the main corridor?    The answer lies at least in part with the state of sanitary services in Newtown in the early 1880s.    There was, in fact, no drainage / sewage system available in Newtown (that didn't change until 1888), so that at the end of each of the 4 wards were toilet blocks with dry earth closets and latrines, extending south of the smaller southern corridor and located 'out-of-view' from the public.

Toxward had wanted the hospital to be approached through a garden / park - like setting from the north.

This photograph, taken in the mid 1960s, shows the toilet block at the southern end of Ward 1.    Note the trap-doors (by now sealed) for the night cart.

Click the image to view detail in a larger version.   

photograph courtesy
Photographic Department, Wellington Hospital / Wellington School of Medicine