ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21578, 14 September 1935, Page 5

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

WORK OF THE WEEK IBy SPLIKTJ [This column is contributed weekly by a responsible officer oi the St. John Ambu lance Brigade, and in it all matters relating to first-aid may be discussed. Corres | | pondence is invited and questions will be answered.] Seventy-nine calls were attended to for the week by the St. John Ambulance. These calls included eight accidents and four country trips. In the latter case the ambulances travelled 234J miles. The total mileage for the week was 772. A Helper of the Order It is now many years since Mr H. L. Bowker first became a supporter and subscribing member of the St. John Ambulance Association, and such was the value of his services that early in 1918 he was elected a member of the general committee of the Canterbury and West Coast Centre. In 1930, when an appeal was being made for funds for a new building,

Mr H. L. Bowker, serving brother of the Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem, a vice-pre-sident of the Canterbury and West Coast Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association.

Mr Bowker, as a member of the special committee set up for this purpose, was personally responsible for the raising of a considerable sum of money, which was placed to the credit of the fund. Indeed, wherever there has been need for his services or advice, Mr Bowker has always come forward most willingly, and for some years he was an ardent worker on the executive of the association in Christchurch. Mr Bowker was also honorary treasurer of the New Zealand branch of the Red Cross Society and Order of St. John, and since the inception of the New Zealand Red Cross Society (Incorporated) he has acted as honorary treasurer .of that body. ( In 1929, Mr Bowker's services' in the association were brought under notice of St. John's Gate, London, and on November U in the following year i his Majesty the King (Sovereign Head I of the Order) was graciously pleased to confer upon him the distinguished order of Honorary Serving Brother of the Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the insignia later being presented in Christchurch by his Excellency, Lord Bledisloe, the then Governor-General. Divisional Notes The Linwood Rover Scout Ambulance Division met at Whare Kura on Saturday last, there being an attendance of 17 members, under Superintendent J. E. Stokes. Dr. S. Hunter was also present' and gave a very interesting lecture on fractures. Public duties were afterwards arranged for the following week. The usual parade of the Christchurch Ambulance Division was held on Wednesday evening, Superintendent W. M. Palmer presiding over a good attendance of members. When the business of the, evening was concluded, the division was exercised in' squad and stretcher drill by the superintendent

and ambulance officer P. A. Wentworth. St. Matthew's Nursing Division held its weekly meeting on Monday evening, when, because of the weather, there was only a small attendance. Public duties were arranged, after which members were questioned on the different ways of administering medicines. Later Mrs A. E. Fricker attended and a series of first-aid "stunts" was practised. On Tuesday evening the New Brighton Nursing Division met in the High School rooms, Mrs C. Sawtell taking charge of the parade. Many members were absent because of sickness and the bad weather. The evening was spent in bandage practice, after which public duties were arranged* for the week. The Christchurch Nursing Division met on Monday evening. Because of the very wet night, the attendance was small. First aid was practised (bandaging and questions), and duties were afterwards arranged for the week. There was a fair attendance of members of the Lyttelton Railway Ambulance Division oa Monday evening at the sub-centre rooms. Superintendent J. Lister was in charge and held a "question bee" on fractures. A short business meeting was held and ambulance duties were arranged. Members of the No. 1: Girl Guide Nursing division held their weekly, parade on Tuesday evening last at the brigade headquarters. There was a fair attendance under the supervision of Miss G. A, Donaldson, After roll

call and inspection, the evening was devoted to the practice of roller bandaging. The Beckenham nursing division held its weekly meeting on Thursday evening, there being a fair attendance of members under Mrs M. Gay, lady superintendent. After the business of the evening was concluded, Sister Aroa, nursing officer to the division, gave an interesting lecture on the brain. Sister Aroa's lectures are very much appreciated by members of the division. Cadet Anniversary Last Friday evening the Young Men's Christian Association Cadet Ambulance Division held a social to celebrate its first anniversary. The hall was crowded, close on 200 adults and girl and boy cadets being present. Prizes and certificates won recently were presented by Dr. F. J. Borrie, assistant commissioner. The proficiency certificates gained were as follows:—Sergeant B. Ainger (7), completing 12 certificates and qualifying for the grand prior's badge; Corporal C. Baldwin (6), completing eight certificates; and Cadet R. Kinley (5). A cup presented by Cadet Corps Superintendent E. B. Gilberd for the champion Young Men's Christian Association team was won by Cadets Webb, Bell. Smith, and Patterson. The individual cup was won by Cadet J. Stapletbn. During the evening Mr A. J. McEldowney, general secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association, took the opportunity of

saying a few words of congratulation to the division. Items were given by the Young Men's Christian Association mouth-organ band, Miss Ruth Adams (song), and nursing cadets gave a tap-dancing duo. The birthday cake, with decorations, representing a squad of cadets carrying a stretcher, was the centre of much attraction, and was cut by Cadet Officer H. Poore. The evening was spent in games, dancing, and items. Lord Bledisloe Honoured Amongst recent appointments to the Order of St. John sanctioned by his Majesty the Sovereign Head, appears the name of the Right Hon. Lord Bledisloe, who has been admitted as a Knight of Grace. Appointment Approved The following appointment has been approved by the Chief Commissioner for the Dominion:— Selwyn Nursing Division —Miss P, E. Grant to be lady ambulance officer. Service Awards The following service awards have been granted to members'of the brigade in the Canterbury district:— Service Chevron (three years)— Christchurch Ambulance Division: Privates G. W. Lumb and G. L. Armstrong. Lyttelton Railway Ambulance Division: Privates S. Ellis, F. Minty, and J. W. Burgess. Beckenham Nursing Division: Ambulance Sister H. Anderson. Christchurch Nursing Division: Ambulanco Sister E. E. Lumb. ) Cadet Proficiency Badge—Christ-

Ngaia Melville (public service, hygiene, handicraft, swimming). Lighthouses and First Aid . The Wellington centre M the .St. John Ambulance Association has under consideration a scheme for submission to the Marine Department, to establish correspondence classes in order to enable lighthouse-keepers to become proficient in first aid. Blazer for Members of Order Advice has been received through Colonel G. Barclay, Chief Commissioner for New Zealand, that a black blazer with the badge of the order surrounded by a wreath of St. John's wort on the pocket has been sanctioned by the chapter-general of the; order, and may be-worn of the order, association, and brigade. Artificial Some time ago a conference took, place in London of representatives of the Royal Life Saving Society and' the St. John Ambulance Association-4o discuss the possibility of unifying the methods of applying artificial respiration. It is pleasinglo know ttiat asat?

Ambulances Fitted With E*dlo The Auckland centre proposes to provide its motor ambulance waggons with snort-wave radio/receiving and transmitting sets to enable them to keep in touch with the headquarters, which will be similarly equipped. This will bring the fleet of cars into line with up-to-date overseas services. At present valuable time is sometimes losi through the necessity of sending out a second machine from headquarters, when there is already an ambulance in a district from wliich a second call has come. The new arrangement vriU give greater speed and. mobility to the present service and save unnecessary running. Experiments are being carried' out ■ -.