ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 280, 19 August 1908, Page 8

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

$ ANNUAL REPORTS. SATISFACTORY PROGRESS. At the annual mcetins of the St. John Ambulance Association, to be held shortly, tho general committee will submit the fol-, lowing report for tbe year ended October 31/ 1907:— " The operations of the Centre during the year were well maintained, no fewer than 634 students having attended the classes for instruction in 'First Aid 1 and "Home Nursing,' whilo tho nursing staff had an exceedingly busy year. There is evidence of a growing public interest in the work of the Association, and a consequent extension of its usefulness. That tbe public sympathy is with tho Association was demonstrated on tho occasion of tho ' Ambulance Saturday' held just after the close of tho year on November 2 last, when tho public responded most generously, the proceeds for tho day being £330 Bs. 2d. By previous resolution of the general committee, threefourths of the net proceeds wore devoted to tho nursing branch, tho remaining fourthgoing to the credit of the general fund. A subsidy of £250 on tho collection was granted by tho Government, and this was divided in the same proportions. It is probable that the experience gained in ' Ambulance Saturday' management will result,in an even more successful result in future, tho committee being of opinion that it should ho an annual institution. Just at the closo of tho financial year also tho Association was fortunato in receiving a bequest of £500 from tho late Mr.- Thomas Matthew M'Mcnamen, for tho promotion of the nursing of tho sick poor. Twenty-nino 'First Aid' and four 'Home Nursing' classes were held during the year. Those were attended by 284 men and 250 women; 205 men and 144 women passed tho examinations. Besides Wellington, classes were held in Feilding, Greymouth, Hawora, Lower Hutt ( Martinborough, Marton, Mastcrton, Napier, Otiki, Palmerston North, Petone, Takapau, Te Nui, Upper Hutt, and Wangnnui. Tho Association is again greatly indebted to mouibors of tho medical profession for their valuable assistance. Tho following wcro tlio instructors and examiners:— ■

" Lecturers —Drs. H. Barraclough, C. M. Bogg, J. A. Cowie, Crawford, H. T. Dawson, J. J. Edgar, E. AV. Gioson, Handcock, H. R. Hatherley, C. D. Henry, A. AV. Hogg. A. Hosking, AV. H. J. Huthwaite, J, M'Brcarty, P. N.. M. M'Donald, A. MaeGibbon, AV. M'Kay, H. J. M'Lean, C. W. Peach, J. R. Purdy, A. A. Stewart, li. Stowo, H. E. Webb, AV. Willis, and W. Young. '

"Examiners—Drs. J. TV. Anderson, A. L, Anderson, C. M. Bogg, P. R. Cook, J. A, Cowie, J. J. Edgar, J. S. Elliott, E. AV, Giesen, C. M. Hector, A. AV. Hogg, A:-AY, Izard, J. M'Brcarty, P. N. M. M'Donald. AV. M'Kay, H. D. MacKcnzie, H. J. M'Lean, A. E. Palmer, C. AV. Peach, AY. D. Perry, J. Ross, M. AV. Ross, S. Skermaii, H. R, Sloan, and R. Stowe.

" During the year the horse ambulanco was used very extensively, but the time has arrived when a more up-to-date conveyance is necessary for this responsible' work, and tho incoming committee will find this matter to.be one of tho first importance.- During tlie year Mr. AV. E. Bethuno found it necessary to retire from the general committee, when his place was filled by the' election of Mr. Alex. Crow, late of Christchurch, where he took an active part'in tho work of that Centre. The committee wishes to place on record its appreciation of Mr. Bethune's past services. The committee trusts that tho increasing operations and responsibilities of tho Association in this Centre will be attended with corresponding blessings to suffering humanity." THE NURSING GUILD. The following is the report of the District Nursing. Guild Committee - of. the St. John Ambulance-Association:— M " The District Nursing Guild Committee of the..St. John. AmbulancenAssoeiation beg to_ report that the care of the sick poor of : Wellington has been carefully ventilated at the regular monthly meetings held during the past year, when the Senior District Nurse has furnished the particulars of cases dealt with on the district. Applications for tho services of Nurses Sexton and Macandrew continue to increase, and during the months of June. July, and August their work was exceptionally heavy. Individual members of the nursing division, including Sisters Costelio and Higgie, have supplemented tho efforts of ihe District Nurses on different- occasions, and their practical assistance has been much appreciated. Since last report, 227 additional patients have been registered, and no less than 10,102 visits paid to people who were indigent and ill. A number of ladies and gentlemen have generously and regularly supplied ihe nurses with nourishing diets and other comforts for tho sick and convalescent poor, some of the gifts including blankets, clothing, and coal. Illness among children has been very prevalent, while 'First Aid 1 treatment is frequently rendered at tho office. Tho committee gratefully thanks the annual subscribers and others for £2-15 lis. Id. received during tho year (including £11 from the entertainment of 'Sweet. Lavender'), and desires to place on record its appreciation of the practical interest manifested in the work of tho Guild by tho President-. Tho sum of £259 17s. 9d. lias been expended on the maintenance of the district nursing work during the year, towards which £92 15s. §d. was received in the form of interest on moneys invested by •tho Trustees (Mrs. S. A. Rhodes, Mr. J. G. AV. Aitken, and Mr. C. P. Powles). As tho appointment of a third professional nurso may becomo necessary in tho near futuro, tho committee venture to liopo that the citizens of AVellington will continue to support tho district nursing work in increasing numbers. "Sinco tho end of tho financial year the suni of £500 lias been bequeathed by tho lato Mr. T. M. M'Menamen, and £300 by tho lato Mr. AV. R. E. Brown, to augment tho capital account of the District Nursing Fund, and tho Chief Secretary has written from London to say that tho Marquess of Breadalbano and Central Executive Committco havo heard with much satisfaction of tho bequosts 'made by theso gontlemen_ and deeply rogrets tho loss of such prominent supporters." / FINANCE. Tho Association's balanco of assets over liabilities is sot down as £716 13s. lid. (which includes £300 on deposit, £336 12s. 5(1. invested in ambulanco gear in tho district; and £66 16s. sd. cash in bank). Tho balanco to credit of tho District Nursing Guild Dopartmont is" £3784 19s. 3d. (including an amount of ■ £3166 ■ 16s. invested as ; a fund for tho nursing-of the- sick poor, £200 on deposit, and £126 lis. cash in tho bank). ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE. The general report for this branch states that " tho past year has been a most successful one for the St. John Ambulanco Brigado in Now Zealand, no less than fifteen now divisions having been added to tho roll. Tho membership of tho' Brigade, which stood at 652 twelve months ago, has now attained 1050. In tho AVellington district five new divisions havo been organised, viz., ambulance units at Napier, Masterton, Wanganui, and Hawora, and also a nursing division at tho latter place. The newlyformed unit at Masterton will take the place of tho old division which has been in a'moribund state for some time. It is desired to establish branches of the Brigade at all places where tho Association classes havo been hold, and with that object in view communications havo been addressed to the local authorities in a number of places, including Feilding. Marton, Upper Hutt, Martin-' borough, Takapau, To Nui, Otaki, etc. It is gratifying to note that each succeeding year the work and objects of-the Brigado are being more widely recognised by the general public, a fact which naturally tends to improve its standing. The Assistant Commissioner in Charge (Major G. Barclay, Y.D.) desires to acknowledge the services rendered by the members of the Brigado staff in the carrying out of the work during tho past year."

BRIGADE NURSING DIVISION. Tho rejxirt for this department states that "Since the last report of tho Nursing Division the chief event' to chronicle has been

tlio organisation of the St. John Annulancfl Nursing Guild. Bazaar, which was opaied by their Excellencies- the Governor ana Lady , Plunket. Succcss crowned the efforts'of the promoters, conspicuous Amongst wlion-was Mrs. S. A. Rhodes, Honorary Associate of the Order of St. John of-Jerusalem, vhoso far-reaching influence was generallj rocogniscd. The net result of the bazaai exceeded £1400, and the treasurer paid\tho. money over to Mrs. S. A. Rhodes, Mr) J. ! G. W. Aitken, and Mr. C. P.' Powlesas trustees to, invest on behalf of the vfund lor : nursing the sick poor of Wellington. Tie current session was opened by.. Dr. Masoi, the Chief Health Officer, who delivered, i splendid lecture at the Town Hall in the pro- ' sonce of about 400 people; and Dh 'Agnes' l Bennett who at the commencement Jof their, session, in -conjunction with Mrs: S.. A.Rhodes, drew up an excellent syllabus.-of in-..']; struction for the term, has also given several capital lectures. Practical lessons in first aid and nursing work liavo been demonstrated by Nurses Sexton and Macandrew, which, - <■', combined with the instruction imparted by tho Honorary Surgeon, liavo proved most beneficial. The roll-book shows a member- . ship of 462. The 'members of the Guild have ■ shown a willingness to assist the professional nurses when their services have been required, and Misses Higgie, M'Lardy, and Costello very.,. ably represented tho Guild at tho annual meeting of the St. John Ambulance Associa- • trn. During tho session Dr. Hamilton. ' Gilmer examined a number of the members in nursing work, and the very high percentage or marks obtained by those who came \ f forward for examination showed that the > sisters of St. John had been : well trained and are qualified to undertake the duties re- ■ quired in a sick room. ■ During the past year the professional nurses have been ex-ccpti'-nally busy working among the sick poor, and have done a large amount of good m alleviating pain and suffering. The senior district nurso (Nurse Sexton) attends. the regular monthly meetings of tho Nursing Guild Committee and reports on tho work dono during tho month. Thanks are accorded to the office-bearers of St. Jolm'3 .Church for the use of a room, and also to all those who have in any way promoted tbe welfare of the Guild and Division."