AWARDS PRESENTED

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 121, 15 February 1935, Page 3

AWARDS PRESENTED

St. John Ambulance GRAND PRIOR’S BADGES Grand Prior’s badges, the first to bo gained in New Zealand, were presented to Miss Joan Dutton and Miss Joyce Wlnt'taker a't the annual meeting of the Wellington Corps of the St. John Ambulance Association last night, by the Hon. Sir Heatoi* Rhodes, head of the Commandery ot the Order of St. John in New Zealand. Sir Heaton wore the mantle of his office, the robes not havlii" previously been worn in Wellington. 1 These facts were referred to by the district:superintendent, Mr. J. Dutton, in welcoming. Sir Heaton Rhodes. He said that hojiour which had been extended to the Corps was very much appreciated. The position that Sir Heaton Rhodes held in the rank of the order was not commonly known, said the assistant commissioner, Mr. F. N. Ward. New Zealand had recently L>een created a Commandery of the Order, and this was the first time that the mantle of i the order had been worn in New Zea--1 land in connection with its activities. In tracing the significance of the'Grand Prior’s badges about to be presented, he said that cadets could take 16 tests,, of which the passing of four entitled them to a badge of proficiency. When they passed 12 of these tests they were entitled to the Grand Prior’s badge, and were known as Grand Prior’s cadets. The badge was.of such importance that it could be worn witty honour throughout the whole term of service in the association. Mr. Ward had given some indication of what had to be gone through to win the badges, said Sir Heaton Rhodes, in replying to his welcome. To win one meant hard work, and the honours had been well won. The St. John Anibulance Association did not say a great deal about its work, but hid its light under a bushel. People who attended sports meetings saw the officers of the association on duty, but did not realise the long hours they worked or the distances which they travelled in the course of their work. The honour which had been permitted him in the wearing of the man-

tie of the order did not belong to him but to all the members of the association, who helped to carry on the same work. He urged members to read the history of the association, which had been founded in Jerusalem in the eleventh century. Since Napoleon had driven the order from Malta in 1798 it hud not taken to the sword, but just as great work was being done in a quiet way. The order would not fail in its work, but Increase in numbers. He hoped that it would eventually be able to establish ambulance vans and branches in every town in New Zealand where its members were needed. Sir Heaton then presented the awards, as follow: —

Bar to Service Medal; Assistant Commissioner of the Reserve J. O. Richardson.

Grand Priors’ Badges; Cadet Sergeant Joan Dutton, Cadet Sergeant Joyce Whittaker.

Officers’ Warrants of Appointments: Ambulance Officer 11. S. Glensor, Nursing Officer S. Donald, Lady Ambulance Officers M. Sltallerass and G. Kiernan, Lady Cadet Superintendent. F. Collins, Lady Cadet Officer V. L. Miles, Cadet Officer W. B. Goodwin, Cadet Officer S. I. Rockcll.

Certificate of Commendation: Private A. Mason, in connection with his services at an aeroplane accident .at Happy Valley. Cadet Proficiency Badges: Cadets J. Whittaker. E. Carlyle, D. Boyd, J. Wakellng, M. Oldboldstoue, E. Brewiu,

A. Ransley, P. Veale, J. Taylor, V. Hoffeins, Uadet Service Stripes: Cadets K. Bognuda, H. Christopherson, B. Chittenden, F. Rigg, J. Williams, I. Algar, B. Algar, J. Walker, M. Walker, M. Innes, C. Charmers, M. Mathers, J. Whittaker, and E. Carlyle. Service Chevrons: Corporal J. F. Smith, Private, R. Crawford, Private G. Gradon. Service Badges: Ambulance Sisters E. Janes, L. Foster, E. Kurling, I. Buckland, G. Parsons, N. Farrell, B. Brown, M. Reeves, E. Cleaver, K. Hakaria, M, McConisky, L. Albrechesoen, T. Cooge, M. O’Brlend, V. Miles, S. Cook, K. Sparrow, M. Priest, A. L. McDowell, A. Phillips, V. Osborn, H. Robinson, L. Blackett, F. Cook and M. Campbell.