NEW AMBULANCES DEDICATED

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27046, 22 May 1953, Page 3

NEW AMBULANCES DEDICATED

Gifts To Venerable Order Of St. John

CHRISTCHURCH CEREMONY

Two new ambulances were officially presented to the St. John Ambulance Association and dedicated by the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) in front of the Christchurch Cathedral yesterday morning. Many passers-by stopped to watch the ceremony.

One ambulance was given by the Automobile Association (Canterbury) and the South Island Motor Union Mutual Insurance Association, and is to be known as the “Motorists’ Coronation Ambulance.” The other ambulance was bought with money bequeathed by Miss Clara Grace Eden, after whom it has been named. Miss Eden, who was formerly a police matron, left her entire estate to the Venerable Order of St. John.

Assisting the Bishop was the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan). Both were robed, and the Bishop carried his pastoral staff. Behind them, wearing Tudor caps and with the Star of the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem on their robes, were Mr John H. Rhodes and Dr. J. Restall Thomas. Mr Rhodes is president of the Canterbury and West Coast district of the ambulance brigade, and vice-president of the executive of the Canterbury and West Coast centre of the St. John Ambulance Association. Hospitaller and Almoner of the priory in New Zealand, and a Knight of Grace, he is the senior official of the order in Christchurch. Dr. Thomas is a commander of the chapter of the priory in New Zealand. and a divisional surgeon of the district. He has served the order for 42 years. - Dr. W. Gordon Rich, Assistant-Com-missioner of the brigade in the district, was also present, in uniform. He is a vice-president of the association.

Public Generosity Praised Before the ceremony began, the ambulances were drawn up facing each other, opposite the main door of the cathedral. When the Bishop and the Dean had come out of the west door of the cathedral, the presiding officer, Mr B. J. McKenna, addressed the gathering. Mr McKenna is chairman of the Canterbury and West Coast centre of the association, and an association representative on the ambulance committee.

The public of Christchurch had given more generously to the association during the last two years than ever before, said Mr McKenna. He hoped that they would continue their support. The new ambulances were equal to the best in the world. A great number of people were serving the order in a most wonderful manner, and their only profit was the apreciation given by tne people of Christchurch, said Mr McKenna.

The Mayor (Mr R. M. Macfarlane. M.P.) was amonf? the members of the order present. He was thanked by Mr McKenna for making part of the roadway in front of the cathedral available to the order for the ceremony.

The ambulances were presented by the vice-president of the Automobile Association, Canterbury (Mr F. W. Freeman), and by Inspector E. C. Hay. acting on behalf of Miss Eden. Mr McKenna accepted them on behalf of the Queen, who is Sovereign Head of the order, and the Duke of Gloucester, Grand Prior of the order. Bishop Warren laid his hands on the ambulances as he blessed them. He then led the gathering in the Lord’s Prayer, and added a prayer for the preservation of all members of the association, particularly those in charge of the ambulances. After the ceremony, the crew of each ambnlace fell in beside it and opened its door for inspection by the presiding officer and by the general public.