Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1936. BENEFICENT ORGANISATION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 81, 17 January 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1936. BENEFICENT ORGANISATION.

Though Colonel Sleeman (chief comissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas) will pay only a brief visit to Ashburton to-morrow, the occasion will be one of importance to members of the Association and Brigade in this town. Without doubt he will be able to impart valuable information to those actively engaged in administering the organisations' affairs and the very fact of contact with a representative of the Grand Priory in England will encourage them in their meritorious service to the community and stimulate them to further efforts. It will be more pleasing, however, if his visit should arouse public interest in the organisation, for it cannot be denied that in the past there has been a regrettable lack in this respect. The activities of the Brigade contribute a veritable boon to the community, which owes it a real debt of -gratitude, particularly to the men and women who voluntarily, and in the true spirit of self-sacrificing service, give their ministering assistance upon so many occasions on which it is needed. To the great majority of people the Brigade is regarded as an organisation that provides trained members to attend race meetings, football matches and other events at which crowds assemble. Too often the ambulance worker is looked upon as one who in return for free admission attends casualties on the field. It is not realised that training of an intensive nature, necessitating the giving up of hours that might be spent in more pleasant ways, is essential to qualify one to give prompt and skilful attention to the injured. Another aspect of ambulance activities is not less important, though not so much under public notice. This is the instruction of citizens, by means of classes, in first aid, nursing and kindred subjects, under the jurisdiction of the Association, of which the Brigade is an adjunct. The result is that extremely useful knowledge is spread throughout the community, an ever-increasing number of people being trained to render help to the injured and to care for the sick. AH this is done from a sense of community service, without thought of fee or reward. Those who are responsible for carrying on the work therefore deserve well of the public. General interest consequently attaches to the conferring of a well-fnerited distinction on Mr Osman. who for many years has been a prominent worker in the Ashburton Association and Brigade. His elevation to the rank of Serving Brother of the Order of St. John places him among a small company in the Dominion which has been so honoured. Residents of Ashburton will heartily congratulate him.