HUNDREDS ENROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 210, 6 September 1939, Page 13

HUNDREDS ENROL.

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

increasing activities.

The fact that the women of Auckland are willing to play their part in the national emergency is shown in the hundreds that in the past few days have enrolled for instruction and service with the St. John's Ambulance Association.

And when I say hundreds, I mean hundreds," said S. E. Langstone, the secretary, when questioned on the subject this morning. "Roughly speaking the number who have registered in the last few days totals between 300 and 400, and this is in Auckland alone. Reports are coming in from country districts daily concerning the immenselv increased number of applicants."

When asked how thev would be able to cope with the numbers, Mr. Langstone stated that they were arranging classes as quickly as possible and so"far sufficient doctors had been available for lecture courses. "We are not worrying about this aspect of the problem," said Mr. Langstone, we have our own lay lecturers qualified to instruct and we are doing all we can to cope with the people. The public could assist us, however, in the matter of enrolment. It would make our task much easier if when applying for instruction they stated the times and days on which it would be suitable for them to attend classes."

Mr. Langstone mentioned that classes were being organised in the morning, afternoons and evenings, and in many cases they had arranged extensive classes which comprised one lecture 'a night instead of spreading the course over a period of six weeks. "We are trying to organise classes in the suburbs to make it easier for people to attend." he added. "

As well as those enrolling for first aid instruction, Mr. Langstone' stated that there were numerous applications for home nursing, and instruction in personal protection against gas and chemical warfare. Mr. Langstone also spoke of the numbers that were enrolling in the St. John's brigade for service. "We have had offers from private people who are willing to make bandages in their homes," he said.