AMBULANCE AND FIRE BRIGADE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 238, 9 October 1933, Page 6

AMBULANCE AND FIRE BRIGADE.

In your issue dated October 6 the Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, at a council meeting, I stated that the work of the St. John Ambulance Association, to his way of thinking, was equally as important as that of the fire brigade, the only difference being that one was a charge on the community, while the other was maintained by voluntary contributions. This statement, to my way of thinking, is most erroneous. The Mayor of Auckland one would expect to have appreciation of the vast difference in these two services. Firstly, I would ask, would it be possible to do without the present efficient lire service or fire protection of any sort in Auckland? Secondly, would it be possible to do without the ready assistance given by the St. John Ambulance Association? The answer is obvi r ous to all. One is a national necessity, the other is purely an auxiliary service acting between hospital and doctor. In witing the above I am only expressing my way of thinking of the vast difference in these two services, and I in no way wish to cast a slur on that noble band of volunteers, the St. John Ambulance Association, of which my father waa a life member. G. W. DERRICK.