ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20648, 10 September 1932, Page 11

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

WORK OF THE WEEK. At 5 p.m. yesterday the St. John Free Ambulance had responded to 83 calls for the week, and after first aid had been rendered, all but eight were transported to hospital. Twenty-one calls were the greatest number recorded for any one day, which was Tuesday. Distant calls were responded to from Lyttelton (2), Belfast, Kaiapoi, Coutts Island, and Fernside. Ambulance Divisions^ Members of the Christchurch Railway Ambulance Division met at the Social Hall, Carlyle street. The divisional surgeon, Dr. J. P. McQuilkin, was also in attendance, and delivered an address on diabetes, and later set a first aid test for the members. Before closing the meeting Superintendent F. S. Bonnington selected teams for the forthcoming competitions. • • • The St. Matthew's Men's Division held their weekly meeting in the Catholic Club Rooms, Barbadoes street. After the business of the evening a very instructive lecture on "Blood Circulation," was given by Mr W. Thomson, district officer. The speaker used a chart to illustrate his lecture. Dr. J. H. Fahey, divisional surgeon, will be in attendance on Monday next, and a full muster of members is requested by the officer in charge.

The Christchurch Ambulanco Division held its weekly meeting at the Brigade Rooms on Wednesday. There were seventeen members present, under Acting Superintendent W. Palmer. After public duties had been arranged, the parade was handed over to LieutenantColonel F. W. W. Dawson, who was assisted by Dr. W. Bremner (divisional surgeon), and Mr J. Dickson (corps superintendent), in conducting a divisional competition. The following members comprised the winning squad: Privates F. L. Dixon, P. Wentwortli, Fantham, B. Mellor, and F. R. Beattie. Twenty-six members of No. 3 Ambulance Division met at the • Brigade Rooms on Thursday, under Superintendent F. J. ABhworth. The various public duties were arranged for the week, and members were then given instruction on the human skeleton. Cadets from No. 3 Division were also on parade under Cadet Officer R. Ware, and a good attendance was recorded. The evening was spent in general first aid work.

Nursing Divisions. The Christchurch Nursing Division met at the Brigade Rooms, when Mrs Bell, Lady Superintendent, presided over a good attendance. Public duties were arranged for the St. John Free Ambulance, and several first aid cases were reported for the week. One new member was elected. Mrs Fricker, Lady Corps Superintendent, was in attendance, and later gave tests to the squads practising for the forthcoming competitions. These tests were much appreciated by the members. • • • Members of the St. Mattliew\s Nursing Division showed great interest in their work at the Catholic Club rooms, on Monday evening, wlieu they received instruction on fractures and their treatment. w 0 • Members of the Selwyn Nursing Division n»et in the Navy League HfaU on Tuesday evening, when Mrs Angus, Lady Superintendent, presided ever a

good attendance. Duties wera arranged for the St. John Free Ambulance, and members practised squad work for the competitions. *# * . The Beckenham Nursing Division met at the brigade rooms on Thursday evening, and a good attendance was presided over by _ Mrs Gay, Lady Superintendent. Lieut.-Colonel Dawson attended and gave a. series of firstaid questions, from which members derived considerable benefit. Mrs Morton, secretary to the division, is spending a few days at French J) arm, Akaroa. Sale of Work. A meeting of the executive committeo for the proposed sale of work in aid of the uniform and furnishing fund was held in the brigade rooms on Wednesday evening last. Mr H. Marnner was in the chair, and after some discussion it was decided to hold a sale of work at a date to be arranged later and run a variety of stalls, from which all proceeds would bo devoted to the fund. It was also decided to write to th£ St. John Ladies' Auxiliary asking it to appoint a member to represent it on the executive. The Cadet Division was given permission to run a separate stall. Mr Marriner promised to visit the different divisions with Mr J. Dickson and Mrs Fric.ker, and explain to members the details. Personal. The following appointments have been approved by the Chief Commissioner for the Dominion :; District Staff: Miss Frances L>. Cooper to be District Officer for supervision of Cadet Divisions. _ Kaiapoi Ambulance - Division : Eric Gray to be Divisional Superintendent ; Dr. Melville Aitken, M.8., Ch.B. (N.Z.), M.R.C.P. (Lond.) and Dr. M. Ramsay, M.8., Ch.B. (Exiin.), to be Divisional Surgeons; H. W. Gillies to be Divisional Secretary ; M. W. Baker to be Divisional Storekeeper. Mr E. B. Gilberd, a Divisional Superintendent of the Brigade from Wanganui, has recently taken uj> his residenoe in Christchurch, and ' lias been showing interest in the activities of St. John in this city. Mr Gilberd is at present on leave from his Division in Wanganui, and it is probable tliat" he may transfer to the local organisation.