EIGHTY TO-DAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 183, 4 August 1932, Page 3

EIGHTY TO-DAY.

MR. WILLIAM RATTRAY.

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE SECRETARY,

The honorary secretary of the St. John Ambulance Association in Auckland, Mr. William Rattray, celebrated his eightieth birthday to-day. Mr. Rattray has held the position of secretary for 37 years, and has done much to build up the association from humble beginnings to its present importance. Mr. Rattray is one of Auckland's pioneers, having arrived with his parents from England in 1853. As a young man ho was engaged in business, firstly as a draper, and later as a house and land agent. He succeeded his father on the committee of the Auckland Infirmary, and was later a member of the Auckland City Council. On his appointment as secretary of the St. John Ambulance Association, Mr. Rattray set himself the task of wiping off the debts, amounting to £60, which he successfully accomplished. He then turned liis efforts to raising funds for the building of an ambulance station. Mr. Rattray married in 1882, and his wife later organised what was believed to be the first street collection. In 1912 Mr. Rattray tendered his resignation as secretary, on account of ill health. His decision to resign was accepted with general regret, but when the secretarial office fell vacant again, Mr. Rattray, whose health had improved, resumed the office again. The honour of Commander of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem was conferred upon him in 1920.