NEW COMMISSIONER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 212, 8 September 1941, Page 8

NEW COMMISSIONER

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

MR. HUTCH IXSOX HONOURED

Congratulations on his recent appointment as Auckland district commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade were extended to Mr. F. J. Hutchinson at a largely attended gathering of officers of the brigade in the Farmers' Trading Company's lounge on Saturday night. The president of the Mount Albert Ambulance Division and serving brother of the Order of St. John, Canon R. G. Coats, presided.

The guests were received by District Superintendent C. \V. Gooderham and the Lady District Superintendent Mrs. G. S. Cammell, and bouquets were presented by two boys from the Kowhai School Cadet Ambulance Division to Mrs. F. J. Hutchinson and Mrs. A. \V. Probert," wife of the assistant commissioner.

The Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, said that Mr. Hutchinson had enrolled as a private in the brigade 31 years ago and had given faithful service ever since. Bishop Simkin congratulated Mr. Hutchinson on his promotion and stated that he would do everything he could to assist the brigade in every way. He also recalled the excellent service given to the order by the late commissioner, Mr. C. J. Tunks, to whom Mr. Hutchinson was assistant. The history of the brigade was traced by Mr. C. W. Gooderham who, on behalf of the officers, rank and file, offered Mr. Hutchinson the right hand of fellowship.

Thanking the officers and other speakers for their expressions of respect and loyalty on behalf of himself and Mrs. Hutchinson, the new commissioner, who was , received with musical honours, made feeling reference to the work of the late Mr. Tunks and the late Mr. W. Rattray. He expressed his pleasure at seeing representatives of the brigade present from Hamilton, Paeroa, Waitakaruru, Te Kuiti, Pukemiro and Taurcarunui.

Orchestral items were rendered by the St. John Ambulance Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Mr. Carl Hellriegel, and solos by Mrs. Margaret Potter and Mr. Gordon Fagan. and a violin solo by Miss Dorothy Diggle.