ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18430, 10 July 1925, Page 7

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

CANTERBURY DISTRICT. Major A. L. Gray, Assistant Commissioner, in his annual report to the Canterbury District St. John Ambulance Brigade, reports that the Brigade Has again had a satisfactory year as regards both membership and efficiency. Though numerically there has been only a slight increase in membership—--219 fully-qualified Brigade members and officers, as against 215 for the preceding year—there has been a gratifying increase in the efficiency and enthusiasm of all ranks. Mombers have attended to 2681 cases of fiijst aid and transport during the year. This is a decided increase oh last year's figures, when 1592 cases were reported. Of the cases reported, 1204 were attended by members of the Christchurch Railway Ambulance Division, many at the Railway Workshops—an average of 67 cases per member per year —619 by the Timaru Ambulance Division—■ an average of 42 cases per member per year, and 475 cases by the Christchurch Ambulance Division—an average of 20 per member per year. While the large number of accidents is deplored, the fact that members have been able to render skilled assistance on so many occasions is a proof that the Brigade in thia district is fulfilling the purpose for which it was established. Members atended on public duty at sports, race meetings, and other functions where there was a likelihood of accidents, occuring, and 876 cases were attended to in Canterbury at such gatherings. Competitions have again been held during the year—this time in Christchurch on Labour Day. There were a large number of entrants, and the work was of a very high standard. There have been no changes in the personnel of the district staff, but two vacancies on the Christchurch corps staff have been filled by the appointment of Mrs H. H. Smith, formerly lady divisional superintendent of the Selwyn Nursing Division as lady corps superintendent, and of Mrs W. Middleton, formerly lady divisional superintendent of the Avonside Nursing Division as corps storekeeper. The organisation for mobilisation in case of emergency is kept up to date, and the Brigade could, in the event of being called on, have a largo number of fully-trained members ready at very short notice. Propaganda work has been actively carried out, both with a view to increasing the strength of existing units and. the formation of new divisions. In conclusion, the Assistant Commissioner thanked the members of the. medical profession for their services'so ungrudgingly given during the year as lecturers and judges; the officers of the district, corps,: and divisions for their help and : loyal support, and" divisional members for their efforts in maintaining the efficiency of the .'various services undertaken by the Brigade.