ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21400, 16 February 1935, Page 9

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

WORK OF THE WEEK [By SPLINT.] [litis column is contributed weekly by a responsible officer of tho St. John AirtbuInnco Brigade, and in it nil matters relating to first-aid may be discussed. Correspondence is invited mid questions will bo answcretl.l Divisional Notes There were 101 calls made during the week, and a total distance of 1607 miles' was covered. The calls included 12 to accident cases, and 12 country trips totalling 1001 miles. The New Brighton Nursing Division met on Tuesday. Mrs E. Robertson, lady superintendent, presided over a very good attendance of members. The secretary, Miss Archbold, read the annual report and balance-sheet. Early in the evening, members practised bL idaging and pressure points. Later a very interesting talk on infantile paralysis was given by Nurse McLean, of Timaru. Public duties were arranged for headquarters on Friday and for the borough picnic on February 20. There was a good attendance at the weekly meeting of St. Matthew's Nursing Division last Monday evening. Work for 1935 was outlined by the lady superintendent, who asked members to be punctual and regular in attendance at meetings. Practical work in artificial respiration was carried, out by the division, all the members taking part. This was followed by questions and explanations of the different conditions by which asphyxia is brought about, with general treatment of this condition. One new member was enrolled. The Christchurch Ambulance Division held its usual parade on Wednesday evening. Superintendent W. M. Palmer presided over a good attendance. When the business of the evening was concluded the superintendent conducted a question beq. The Beckenham Nursing Division met on Thursday evening. There was a good attendance of members, with Mrs Gay in charge. After inspection, Mr Milne attended, and gave a demonstration of the use of hand seats for injured persons. Later, the roll was called, and arrangements for public duty were made for the St. John Ambulance and the Riccarton< school picnic on Saturday, February IC. The Selwyn Nursing Division met in the brigade rooms on Tuesday, when Mrs E. Angus, divisional superintendent, presided over a record attendance of members. -The syllabus for the year was discussed, and duties were arranged for the week. During the evening a question bee was conducted, after which practical first-aid was carried out. There was a fair attendance of members of the Lyttelton Railway Ambulance Division on Monday evening. Superintendent Lester was in charge, and after parade and inspection a question bee was held. A short business meeting followed, and public duties were arranged. General Notes Those divisions of the brigade which have not yet furnished their annual returns for the year 1934 are reminded that they are now overdue. Divisional secretaries should see to it that they are dispatched at once. The superintendent also has a responsibility in satisfying himself or herself that the returns have gone forward. A special order issued from St. John's Gate states that the metal service badge has been abolished for nursing divisions, and will be replaced by a white worsted chevron. This chevron will be worn, point upwards, on the left sleeve of the indoor uniform, the point of the first chevron being two inches and a half above the top of the white cuff. Service chevrons will be made one-bar, two-bar,

and three-bar chevrons. Service badges already issued will be worrr until the next award is due, when the chevron with the appropriate number of bars will be issued free. When the holder of service chevrons is awarded the service medal of the Order of St. John, she will then cease to wear the service chevrons. A special order issued at headquarters. London, makes several alterations in the regulations with regard to service awards. The service medal badge (red star) will in future be

worn by the rank and file only, and not by officers. Service chevrons will not in future be worn by non-com-missioned officers of ambulance divisions. . The bow which has been worn by lady presidents and vice-presidents has been abolished, and, in future, all presidents and vice-presidents, of either sex, will wear badges, which will be of three classes, viz., presir dents of districts, presidents of corps or divisions, vice-presidents of corps or divisions. These badges are ob-

tainable from the stores department. In a communication recently w» ceived by ColoneT. Barclay, 'chief com* misisoner, from Mrs L. Dent, lady superintendent-in-chief for the brigade overseas, that lady expresses hex plea*pre at the marked increase in th* number of nursing divisions and cadet nursing divisions in the Dominion, a result which could only have been achieved by the interest and hard work of the officers of the brigade Mrs Dent desires that her thanks and appreciation should, b$ conveyed $Q wl