Whakatane Reports To St. John Ambulance Association Meeting

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 98, 20 September 1950, Page 5

Whakatane Reports To St. John Ambulance Association Meeting

Reports received at the annual meeting of the Whakatane branch of the St. John Ambulance Association included:—

From Supt. E. J. Ramson This marks another milestone in the progress of our organisation, and it is ■ with pleasure I report as follows:—

Total ’.strength including Taneatua Branch 33, number of parades for year 42, number of public duties 117, number of casualties treated 200, number of private cases treated 20, number of hospital duties 278 entailing 973 hours, ambulance transport calls 158, number of miles covered 7947, an average of approximately 50 miles per trip. There has been two aeroplane trips to Gisborne and one to Auckland and planes were also met at Tauranga and Rotorua. These figures in themselves make one feel that our organisation is well warranted. The Taneatua Branch has lost all its active personnel all being transferred out of the district. We have now no active members in Taneatua and we trust that at some future time this branch will be reformed.

The Edgecumbe Brigade since its reforming last year is now a very efficient body, it is with regret that Mr Massey had to resign his position as Superintendent. He did much for our organisation in that district.

The Edgecumbe Brigade are now operating without a Superintendent under the training guidance of the officers of this brigade. The arrangement is working well and we trust that by next year they will be able to make the appointment of a Superintendent.

During the year we attended the dedication of the Rotorua and Te Puke Ambulances and also a field day competition at Tauranga (held at the Mount). We were very pleased to have a visit on one of our parade nights from the members of the Rotorua Brigade. We had on this occasion a lecture by Dr Dawson after which the two brigades mixed socially. Supper was served before the guests returned home. Early next month we are to return the visit to them.

I regret to have to report that both Whakatane and Edgecumbe Brigades are in urgent need of new uniforms. All our present uniforms were second hand when we got them. We have used them for four or more years so its not surprising that they are very much the worse for wore. I feel that I must ask the Association to make a decided effort to re-equip this year. I wish to thank all members of both Brigades and Nursing Division, Cadets and Cadet Nursing Division for their loyal support to me during the year, their co-opera-tion has done much to make my job an easy one. From Supt. W. R. Abbott

We have had a very active year, one which shows both records and progress. We now have 28 registered Cadets, eight of which have their Senior F.A. There are 35 boys attending lectures each parade night, this showing an increase of 15 over last year’s figures. Eleven Cadets have passed their preliminary first aid, five have gained their Senior’ First Aid, this being of added strength to the Senior Division. Twelve Cadets have passed their P.H. Nursing. Cadets have also been successful in. the following proficiency subjects:— Camp cooking, 2 Cadets;; physical training, 3 Cadets; interpretership (French) 1 Cadet; knowledge and care of animals. 1 Cadet; public service, 6 Cadets: handicraft, 1 Cadet; history of the order, 12 Cadets; swimming, 4 Cadets; road safety, making a total of 26 certificates issued, with still a large number to come. The Cadets have attended 40 parades and have been on public duty when required. We hgve held a number of fiim evenings during the year, these proving very popular with the young people. Combining with the Cadet Nursing Division we held a very successful Christmas tea and parents and friends social evening as our breaking-up treat. Our Senior Cadet Sergeant Trevor Windley, attended the South Auckland Cadet Elimination competitions held at Hamilton in June and gained a second place in the Individual Championships with 34marks behind the winning place. The Cadet Efficiency Cup was won this year by Cadet Graham Waite with 331 marks. Two Senior Cadets will this year be presented with their Grand Prior Badges, this will make the total of 4 Grand Prior Badges. Two Senior Cadets were transferred to the Senior Ambuance Division during the year. Gymnasium instruction has been given, also stretcher drill. I would like to express my thanks to the officers of the division, C/O M. Ramson, Sgt T. Windley and to

the Senior Cadets for their loyal support. Special* thanks to Mr Reg. Sercombe for the excellent way that he has carried out the duties of the Division, both in training and in discipline during my absence. I wish to thank on behalf of the division all members of the Senior Division who have helped us during the year with lectures and examinations, also Mr Kemp who has given so much time in lecturing the Cadets in road safety. To the Cadet Nursing Division for their co-opera-tion during the year.

I wish, Mr Chairman, tc hand in my resignation as Cadet Superintendent of the Cadet Ambulance Division as from the end of this year, and wish to extend to my successor all the very best in this very worthy cause.