ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 285, 26 August 1908, Page 6

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETfNC, Notwithstanding the rough weather, thertl was a good attendance at the' annual meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association, held-in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last evening. The Governor's Remarks. His Excellency the Governor (Lord Tlunket), in moving .the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, (already published), said that tho report was exceedingly satisfactory and promising. He- read a letter from Sir Herbert C. Perrott, London secretary of the Association, acknowledging information in regard to legacies bequeathed by tho late Mr. and Mrs. W. It. E. Brown. Tho letter stated that tho Marquis of Breadalbane (Director of the Ambulance Department and Chairman of Committee) had heard with satisfaction tho receipt of thqso generous donations, and the writer was requested to convey to tho relatives of Mr. and Mrs. Brown the full appreciation of his Lorclship and the members. It was very gratifying to the committee to know that Mr. Brown's son was also a warm supporter of the Association, _ -- Tho question for consider,ition, went on His Excellency, was what they could do in the future. Ho was glad to seo that tjio Association contrived to keep a credit balance, but thoy could not contmuo to do that unless tho same support was oxtended to thont in tjip future as had been received in tho past. The nursing branch was a big feature of their work, of which Wellington might bo justly proud, Hp wbb sure that no philanthropic institution in the. city was doing better work than the twp devoted nurses of this branch, and if a third nurse could bo supported they would be able to do still better work. The Rev. J. Pstersou seconded the motion. He regarded the Association as one of the most humane and Christian of nil tho public Wovolent institutions. Its objects were exceedingly important, an 4 its methods were also admirable. He suggested that the publio' should come forward with subscriptions to maintain another nurse. In regard to the care of infant life, Lady Plunket had set a noblo example by her work. Gcmmittea of Centre. The Committee of Centro was elected as follow: —-Tile Mayoress, Dr. Agnes Bennett, Mesdames L. Menzies,' Misses L. Coates, H. W. M, Kendall, S. A. Rhodes, Wv Young, J. 1\ Luke, Pearson, Waters, Messrs. C. P. Powles, J,-Besant, A, Crow, C, Campboll, A, E. Pollock, H. H. Seed, E. Bal-nombo-Brown, J. Cable, L. C. Partqn, and 0, R. Ralph, Dr, Izard said' that the of Wellington appreciated very highly the work of the Association's doctors among th° poof. ' Hon, C. Fowldq's Address. Tho Hon, Or. Fowlds said that ho looked upon the Association as one of tho greatest organisations in tho world for the alleviation of humpn suffering, and lie had the greatest admiration for those persons who I devoted themselves year after-year'to its service. Ho specially'admired the medical men and women who assisted the Association. Ho was glad that the past 3fea.r had been one of progress and '.prosperity, and especially glad at, the large number of. country branches connected with tho Association. He 1 hoped that they would soon have branches in almost every town in tho. Dominion, and in remote districts there was no town. In a country like this it was most necessary that the widest possible instruction should.bo given as to how to deal with accidents, Ho hoped that during the coming year the benefits of tho Association would be extended to eyerj comer of the district, and that other Associations throughout New Zealand would follow tho qxampla pf the Wellington Centro in taking up with enthusiasm nursing work among the poor. Ho hoped before long to seo a system of district nursing extended , very largely throughout. the country districts. He had always felt that it 'was the "duty of ' the hospital and charitable aid boards to provide some help for tho country districts. In many of tho more remote portions of New Zealand it was quite impossible to secure quickly the services of medical men, and 1 in such places the hospital boards might make provision. Ho was glad to say that some of the boards had taken up this : matter regard to tho protection of infant life, Mr. Fowlds referred to tho falling birth-rate in Franco, and stated that the birth-rate in New Zealand had fallen tremendously since the early days of colonisation. In tho face of this falling birth-rate it became more and more imperative on people to sep that the infant lifo that came into the world was properly protected. He urged that the Association's nurses should direct their attention to tho prevention, as well as tho cure, of disease, and asked them to adviso the authorities of insanitary premises mot with in their work, Help was also wanted, in the prevention of tho spread of consumption. If a healthy public sentiment on this preventiblo disease could be disseminated throughout the Dominion, coupled with the remedial measures taken now by most of tho hospital boards and in tho Waikato sanatorium, ho believed that in a comparatively few years the disease might bo completely eradicated from New Zealand.' He congratulated tho Centro ou the success of its labours, and honel that it would continue to prosper throughout tl|e coming year, (Applause.)

Apologies. Mr. C. P. PowleSj chairman of tho Centre, apologised for tho absence of Mrs. Rhodes, who, ho' said, had done moro than anyone else in Wellington to assist tho nursing work of the Association. A telegram was received from the I remier expressing his regret that Parliamentary duties would not allow him ■to attend tho meeting, and \ conveying his sympathy and good wishes. , / His Excellency tho Govornor explained, to prevtnt misapprehension, that tho work, in regard to infant lifo protection was carriod on by a separate so'cioty.' Conclusion. Tho Govornor then presented certificates and medallions won during tho year. An interesting demonstration of ambulance work was given by membors of tho Ambulance Brigade and Nursing Guild. Mr. C, P. Powles proposed a vote of thanks to the Govdrnor.. Dr. J. C, Elliott, in seconding the motion, said that, on tho principle that a little knowledge was a dangerous tiling, ho had formerly had somo doubts' of tho .usefulness of a general knowledge-of tho principles of first aid, but mtmy instances , which had como under his notice had since confirmed him in tho belief that a great deal of good was dono by that moans when tho first aid was intelligently, applied. It was a pity, in a young country like this, that hundreds of people in Wellington woro living in conditions truly appalling. Many of thq respectable poor could only afford t6 live in sublet rooms in nn old, musty, insanitary wooden house, and these conditions did not assist recovery when they fell ill. Dr. Elliott gave high praiso to tho.work of tho Association's nurses.