ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20612, 30 July 1932, Page 8

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

WORK OF THE WEEK. At 5 p.m. yesterday scventy-oight calls had been responded to by the St. John Freo Ambulance, and after first aid had been rendered by members of the Brigade, all but sixteen were transported to hospital. Tho greatest number of calls received on any ono day was seventeen, on Saturday. Distant calls wero received from Kaiapoi, llanmer, and Waikari. In the latter case, whero urgency was required, the ambulanco traversed the distance in ono hour and twonty-five minutes. Ambulanco Divisions. Members of tho Christchurch Railway Ambulanco Division mot at tho Social Hall, Carlyle streot, on Monday evening. Superintendent F. S. Bonnington was in charge of the parade, and, after the roll call, members were taken through a series of questions on first aid work, which proved very interesting and beneficial to all. • • • Tho Christchurch Ambulance Division met at the Brigade rooms, on Wednesday evening. Superintendent W. Palmer was in charge of tho parade and a good attendance was recorded. Later in the evening, Mr Becconsall attended and set a number of first aid tests, which proved very interesting. At tho conclusion of the work, Mr Becconsall was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The usual public duties were then arranged for the week.

On Thursday evening, tho No. 3 Ambulanco Division paraded under Superintendent F. J. Ashwortli. There was a good attendance of members and after public duties had been arranged for the various sports grounds, Mr W. H. Thomson (District Officer) gave an instructive address on "Camp Hygiene," which was much appreciated by the members.

Cadets of tho Division also paraded on tho same evening, and wero under Cadet Officer K. Ware. There was a good attendance of members and, after formal matters had been dealt with, all present attended Mr Thomson's address.

Last week a visit was paid lo the newly formed Kaiapoi Ambulance Division of the Brigade by Colonel G. Barcluy, Chief Commissioner for tho Dominion, and Dr. F. J. Borrie, Assistant Commissioner in Charge of the Canterbury and West Coast District, when the members wero seen at work. Following the drill the men werd addressed by the visitors, who extended their best*wishes for a successful career for the new unit. Both Colonel Barcluy and Dr. Borrie wero most favourably impressed with the excellent personnel of the members of this latest addition to the strength of the brigade in the Canterbury district, and with the enthusiasm which was manifested by all ranks. The men are keen to get into uniform so that they may take their place i« tho activities of the organisation, and every endavour is being made to raise the funds necessary for the purpose. The superintendent of the Division (Mr .Eric Gray) has had a lengthy experience in- the cause of iirstaid, and his services will be of great value to tho division. Mr Vickary, Mayor of Kaiapoi, who in an ardent

supporter of St. John, was present at the meeting. Nursing Divisions. Members of tho Selwyn Nursing Division paraded at the Brigade rooms on Tuesday evening. Owing to the absence of Mrs Angus, Miss Best took charge. After the usual public duties had been • arranged, Dr. Jessie Scott gave an interesting lecture on "Surgical Nursing," for which she was accorded a vote of thanks by the members. The Lyttelton Nursing Division met as usual at the Y.W.C.A. rooms, in Lyttelton. Lieut.-Colonel F. W. W. Dawson, Corps surgeon, was also in attendance and put members through their annual examination. Later in the evening Colonel Dawson gave some very useful first aid tests, which were much appreciated. Cadets from this Division were usefully employed practising bandaging and signalling. At the close of the evening arrangements were made for a dance to be held on August 6th, in aid of Divisional funds. • • » Members of the Beckenham Nursing Division paraded on Thursday evening, at the Brigade rooms. After the usual business had been concluded, Dr. F. J. Borrie, Assistant Commissioner, attended, and gave a most interesting talk on "Hemorrhage and Pressure Points," also the general treatment for wounds. A meeting of this Division was also held on the previous Thursday, Mrs Gay presiding. • Mr Thomson was also in attendance, and gave members stretcher drill and practice in forming hand seats. General Notes. The fcst. John Ambulance Brigade in Auckland has established an orchestra. There are over thirty players and the various sections of thd orchestra are said to be well represented. Most of tho members are already "first-aiders" and the balance are now qualifying as such. Dr. J. 8. Elliott, chairman of the Wellington Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, has presented what is to be known as tho "Dr. Arnold Izard Memorial Shield" for competition between teams from the Ambulance and Nursing Divisions of the Brigade la the

Wellington district. The conditions of competition will be arranged by the district staff of the brigade. Arrangements have been made by the Wellington Centre for a first aid lecture, to be broadcasted each week. The first talk was given through Station 2ZW on July 4th. Appointments. The following appointments in the Canterbury district have been authorised by the Chief Commissioner for the Dominion: — Lyttelton Nursing Division: Dr. Chas. H. Upham, M.K.C.S.E., to be Divisional Surgeon, t.o complete establishment. Railway Division: Dr. J. P. M.B., Ch.B., to be Divisional Sur-*o«. vice Dr. Sheffield, re> aligned.

The formation of the lance Division has been P