St John's Ambulance Society.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XVII, Issue 3601, 11 June 1895, Page 3

St John's Ambulance Society.

On Saturday, June 8, at the Wakanui Road Board Hall, the first ambulance lecture was delivered to the ladles of the Ashburton district, over sixty members being present. The room had been very tastefully decorated by two of the ladies of the committee, and presented a very comfortable appearance indeed. Several charts had been procured from the head centre in Christchurch, together with bandages and other appliances necessary for demonstrating and successfully carrying on the work of the Society. Dr Leahy was the lecturer for the afternoon, and he must be heartily congratulated upon the thoroughly practical and sensible address he delivered. He informed his hearers that it was not his aim to give an eloquent or flowery address—as perhaps one might expect from a gentleman of his nationality—but to impress upon their minds a knowledge of ambulance work, which would be of the greatest value to them. He cautioned his audience against be'ieving that once they had obtained the r certificate and medal, they had therefore become fully qualified doctors, and impressed upon them that they were only competent to render "First aid to the injured." After an exceedingly interesting lecture, which covered all the subjects laid down for the first lesson, Doctor Leahy proceeded to show the methods of bandaging required for various ! accidents, which proved of great interes 1", and were carefully watched by his lar^re audience. The lecture haviug closed, amidst hearty applause, the Secretary read the roll and explained that although he had used his best endeavours to procure all the books required on " First Aid," those obt lined were very far short of the number required, therefore he considered that the method of their distribution at cosfc price must; be delayed until a full meeting of his Committee. It was also sated that all members who wish to go up for examination must by the rules of the Socieiy attend four out of the five lectures to be delivered this session. After the Secretary had repliei to various questions in a satisfactory manner the audience separated.

Dr Leahy delivered a similar lecture to the gentlemen on Monday evening, when the building was again quite filled, and throughout his remarks he was listened to with interso interest. At the conclusion of his lecture, and his demonstration of bandaging, the Rev T. A. Hamilton said he could not allow the first address to close without expressing his appreciation, and that of the audience, at the highly satisfactory manner in which Dr Leihy had handled his subject, aud his motion of a hearty vote of thanks met with loud response. We learn from the secretary that over one hundred members have now joined and paid their subscriptions—which muss be considered highly satisfactory. Any penstns wishing still to join will have the privilege open to them if they attend the next lecture, and pay the subscription required. In response to a cablegram to Australia, a further a supply of books on " First Aid " is to hand, and a Committee meeting will shortly be held, when the form of distribution will be arranged as fairly as possible