CHURCH PARADE AT CATHEDRAL

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21685, 20 January 1936, Page 6

CHURCH PARADE AT CATHEDRAL

■' ■' 1 1 •. t" -s ■' ■ • .. • ■ i | NEARLY 300 MEMBERS ATT'Mi£ Nearly 300 members of the various divisions of St. John Ambulance

Brigade in Christchurch and its surrounding districts yesterday moaning attended -a' special church parade at the Anglican Cathedral. The Overseas Commissioner of the brigade Colonel J. Sleeman, who is visiting Christchurch as part of a world tour, was present. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. T. McWilliam, assisted by the Rfev. F. R, Rawle, the precentor at the Cathedral. Mr McWilliam took as his text Luke IV., 18 and 19. He said that the order had a Christian background. He praised the self-sacrifice and 'self-denial which members of the brigade carried out in going about their very necessary but voluntary work. The brigade carried out the principles of Christianity by their deeds and not by words. There was no doubt that they gained happiness from the comforting thought that they had helped someone in need of their assistance.

He said that true happiness was obtained by giving and not by receiving., He ended by wishing the brigade in the New Year, the fortitude and willingness to carry out their duties in the same excellent way that they had in the past. After the service, Colonel Sleeman invested Superintendent C. W. Osman, of the Ashburton Ambulance Division, with the office of serving brother of the Order of St John of Jerusalem. Superintendent Osman was also presented with the insignia of his office by Colonel Sleeman.

The members of the brigade paraded at the ,St. John Ambulance headquarters at Peterborough street before the service and marched to the Cathedral. After the service was finished they marched back to their headquarters where they were dismissed.

fi T ll e p^ade was led by the Band of the First Canterbury Regiment, upder the command of Captain C. H. Hoskm. , Dr. F. J. Borrie, assistant-commis-sioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, was the officer in charge of the parade. . / ADDRESS TO BOY SCOUTS On Saturday evening at 7.30, Colonel J, L. Sleeman, who was a scout commissioner in England, was met by more than 30 scouts and rover scouts at, the Young Men’s Christian Association rooms. Colonel Sleeman was welcomed by the metropolitan commissioner, Major Crampton, He then gave an address on the co-operation between jhe boy scout movement and St.» John Ambulance Brigade. At the conclusion of the address, Colonel Sleeman was accorded .a vote of thanks. He was plf° asked to convey to the Chief Scout, Lord Baffen-Powell the greetings of the Christchurch troops.