St John Building Plan Abandoned

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31941, 19 March 1969, Page 14

St John Building Plan Abandoned

Because of financial difficulties, the St John Ambulance Association has abandoned its plans for a new building in Durham Street, says Mr D. H. Lawrence, chairman of the Christchurch sub-branch, in his annual report.

It had been planned to provide a garage and administration block, but “after an exhaustive survey of our resources and commitments” the organisation now proposed to go ahead with a less ambitious scheme of alterations.

proved staff accommodation and working conditions, with increased garaging for the vehicle fleet. Other building projects are described by Mr W. A. McAllister, chairman of the Canterbury and West Coast Centre. He says in his annual report that the Kaikoura subcentre is buying land with a view to building, the Malvern sub-centre is in the process of acquiring the old county council offices for its headquarters, and the Sumner subcentre is completing its new building. During the year, the Rangiora sub-centre completed a new $42,000 building, and with those now in the planning stage, 16 sub-centres would own their own premises.

These would provide im-

Mr McAllister said that 31,787 cases were attended throughout the Canterbury and West Coast district last year. The centre’s 30 ambulances travelled 241,517 miles, driven by 131 drivers—l 7 of them paid and 114 volunteers.