HUMANITARIAN WORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 12, 15 January 1929, Page 8

HUMANITARIAN WORK.

ORDER OF ST. JOHN.

TWO DISTINGUISHED VISITORS

CIVIC RECEPTION ACCORDED.

A profusion of rare blooms from the Domain gardens beautified the City Council Chamber at noon to-day, when a civic reception was accorded Sir John Preseott Hewett, Bailiff of the Grand Cross and of Egle, and Mrs. St. John Atkinson, Dame of Grace, high dignitaries of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

The Mayor (Mr. Geo. Baildon), who welcomed the visitors on behalf of the citizens of Auckland, was supported by the Hon. Sir George Fowlds and the town clerk (Mr. J. 8. Brigham). Mr. C. J. Tunks, commissioner of the Auckland district of the St.%John Ambulance Association and Brigade, welcomed the visitors on behalf of the Auckland Centre. It was a pleasure to welcome such distinguished members of the Order of St. John, said Mr. Baildon, who predicted that the Auckland Centre of the association had a great future and would acquit itself creditably. Members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade were welcome at all sporte and public gatherings, at which their voluntary services were greatly appreciated by the public. The nursing division of the association had brought much comfort and relief to the poorer members of the community, who would have been in sore straits had it not been for the tender and efficient services of the nurses. The value of the work of these nurses and officers of the brigade could be judged from the fact that in twelve months 6575 visits had been paid to 951 patients. Auckland was fortunate indeed in having at its disposal the services of such experts as Nurses Saunders-Jones, Soden, Law and Straker.

Growth of Association. After referring to the free ambulance service which the brigade provided, Mr. Baildon traced the development of the association from its early beginning. In 1895 there were four qualifying classes in Auckland with a membership of 105. To-day there were 29 classes with 1440 members. Never had the work of the Order of St. John been of more value than in the influenza epidemic of 191819, when wonderful services were rendered in the amelioration of suffering. To-day the association looked back on nearly 37 years of useful work for the community. Mr. Baildon paid tributes of praise to Commissioner Tunks and the secretary, Mr. W. Rattray, whose work had helped in large measure to raise the standard of the association to its present level.

Mr. Tunks said the members of the St. John Association and Brigade were greatly encouraged by the visit of Sir John Hewett and Mrs. St. John Atkinson. The work of the order in this city had been assisted tremendously by reason of the assistance given in the establishing of headquarters in Rutland Street, the site having been leased on a peppercorn rental.

District Nursing Valuable. Sir John, returning thanks on behalf of Mrs. St. John Atkinson and himself, said his natural aversion to public speaking had not been overcome bv a term as governor of a province and a period in the House of Commons. The influence of the venerable order seemed to have permeated every part of Auckland, where the utmost courtesy and hospitality had been extended since the arrival of Mrs. St. John Atkinson and himself. Sir John spoke in terms of praise of Mr. Tunks, Mr. Rattray and other members of the association and brigade. Personally he was highly gratified with the nature of the work carried out in Auckland. The beautifully equipped ambulance station and efficient drivers gave him reason to rejoice, and the value of the service performed could be seen when it was known that since August 3000 cases of first-aid, including removals, had been recorded in connection with the wharf station, conducted in conjunction with the Harbour Board. The district nursing organisation was one of the moat interesting things in New Zealand. It was better by far than the system of parish nurses in Kngland, since every district nurse had all the. resources of the association behind her.