ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1606, 25 November 1912, Page 2

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

FIRST ANNUAL COMPETITIONS. The first annual competitions (in first aid and home nursing) of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, were successfully inaugurated on Saturday afternoon, when squads from the local units and squad from Christchurch faced the judges in tho Garrison Hall, Buckle Street. About 100 members paraded for inspection by District Surgeon C. D. Henry, M.D., and Assistant-Commission-er H. H. Seed.' Dr. Henry complimented those present on their smart appearance, and hoped that the- competitions they were about to- take part in would provo beneficial to the work of tho brigades and to the public generally. The chief event of the day was the competition for the Men's Inter-district Challenge Cup, which was won by Wellington Division last year in Christchurch. This competition was instituted With the idea of bringing the members of the brigades into closer touch in various parts of the Dominion, and bringing the work to a uniform standard. Christchurch was the only outside district represented, expressions of regret being received from tho .other districts. After a very even contest the A Squad of the Wellington Division (Messrs. Nicol, Schnlenburg, Hislop, and M'Ginnity), proved themselves the winners, thus retaining their position as champion squad of the Dominion, and holding tlio challenge cup for another year. The next event which appealed strongly to the spectators was tho competition for the Nursos' District Challenge Cup, open to all divisions in the Wellington district. Tho nursing sisters, koking smart in their neat uniforms, showed that they were capable not only of rendering first, aid, but also of taking charge of all the details of a sick room. Wellington A Sound (Misses Wilson, OakleyBrowne (2), Paterson), were placed first. The final competition was an individual test in first aid, open to all members cf divisions in the district, ,-iud it proved very interesting, 33 entries being received. It was found that two members were equal, and they had to niuwrgo a further test to decide first and second places. For third place two others were equal, and they also had to undergo a second test, and. as the result was still equal, a. trid test was necessary to finally decide tho third place.

The whole arrangements for the competitipn were under the able i'oiitr<".l of Assistant-Commissioner H. H. Seed, of the Wellington district, the immediate details being .ably carried out by Superintendent G. Sandliam and his staff. The judges (Doctors Platts-Mills, Loworbank, Henry, and Woodhouse). had a viyy strenuous'afternoon, and the thanks of all are due to them for their .work in this direction. Tho secretarial" work was carried out by Mr. J. D: Avery to the sajasfaction of all concerned.

In the evening a social gathering was held in Godber's rooms, Courtenay Place, when members and their friends were the guests of Mrs. ■S. A. Ehodes, Lady of Grace of tho Order of St. John, who sent an apology .for her inability to be present, .owing to indisposition. An apology was also received from Superintendent W. R. Dixon, of the tramway division. His Worship the Mayor, who presided, apologised for tho absence of the lady Mayoress. In his opening remarks, ho said it was a pleasure for him to be present at euch a gathering. This was the first "social" held in Wellington in connection with the annual ambulance competitions, and lie referred to the good work, whicli could not be over-estimated, performed by members of tho various ambulance and nursing organisations. Addresses were also givon by" District-Sur-goon Henry, Assistant-Commissioner Seed, and Corps-Officer Esselborn, of the Christchurch district. The following contributed to a capital programme:—Misses Ward and Redmond (songs), Miss Foster and Mr. Maude (duet), Miss Luke (recitation), Mr. Warren (musical monologue), and Mr. Steinmullor (illusions). The accompanist was Miss M'Lennan. . During the evening, his Worship the Mayor presented the prizes won during the day. The results of the competitions were as "follow:—Men's inter-district competition: Wellington A Squad (Messrs. Nicol, Schulenburg, Hislop, and M'Ginnity) 1, and Challenge Cup, to bo held for one year; Christclnirch Railway Sijuad, 2. Nurses' district competition: Wellington A Squad (Misses Wilson, Oakley-Browne (2), Peterson), 1; Wellington 15 Squad, 2. Challenge Cup to bo held for one Individual competition, medals Miss M. Oakley-Browne, 1; Mrs. Gyles, 2; Mr. J. T. Schulenburg, 3. Nurses Seyton and Macandrew were presented during the evening with a beautiful bouquet each of shaded pink roses, fastened with lons, rose-coloured streamers.