YEAR OF PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 71, 25 March 1940, Page 4

YEAR OF PROGRESS.

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE. i MANY NEW DIVISIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. Information disclosing a year of progress in St. John Ambulance work in New Zealand has been issued by Colonel C Barclay, Brigade Chief Commissioner. "The outbreak of war created a widespread desire among the general public tor a knowledge of first aid, and there was a consequent rush for ambulance instruction.'' he .-aid. "As a result, the strength of the brigade ill the Dominion has ii.iw reached ti.V>."», an increase of ISH2 on the previous year. Forty-seven new divisions have been registered, extending from Bay of Islands ill the north to Stewart Island in the south. "The total number of services |ierfonned by members during last year was 110.!»'.t:{. These figures include tirst aid rendered, transport of the sick and injured. hospital attendances, cases nursed privately by members of nursing divisions, etc. In addition, a great amount of voluntary service was rendered by members in the practical instruction at association lectures. '"First aid treatment was given by members on duty at sports grounds, races and other gatherings in 311.505 cases, while •">4.272 cases were treated by meivbers on other occasions. Though the majority of these eases were of a minor nature, there were quite a imml>er where serious injury was received. Members assisted in the removal or transport of the sick and injured on KJSB occasions. A number of the male personnel of the brigade h:is already gone overseas, and others are in training. Women members have gone through the required ho>>iitul trainiii" and qualified as V.A.D.V'