ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 109, 9 May 1923, Page 11

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

ANNUAL MEETING

A SPLENDID GATHERING.

The interest which attaches to St. John Ambulance work was well demonstrated by the very large gathering which well nigh filled the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall hist evening. Sir Heaton Rhodes, Knight Justice of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England, presided) Those on the stage were Mesdames W. H. Set'ton Moorhouse, G. A. 'i'roup, and Balcombe Brown, Dr. Arthur, Mr. H. H. Seed, Dr. Line, and Mr. G. A. Troup. The annual reports and balance-sheets have already been summarised in "The Post." In moving their adoption, the president offered his congratulations on the work of the past year. The work wns extending everywhere, and would this year include lighthouses. This would enable them to take, one step nearer to the object of the association — to have someone available at every accident. All could give to the collection, and-this was one way of helping to attain tlie object. The weather conditions had spoilt the past year's collection. Some of them had learned with concern that the Red •Cross was issuing first-aid certificates, but each association had its own work; they could carry on in peace as they had in war. The St. John Ambulance had existed long prior to the war, and their work in peace was as good as that in war. In the war, nevertheless, the work had been an eye-opener, and was carried out in the spirit which it would do well to ■ maintain. He congratulated the association on its decision to build its own headquarters in the city. He hoped that next year the Government would be able to reinstitute the imbsidy.

Mr. G. Troup said the scheme to build was the one which most interested him. For twenty-five years they had hung on to faith in a new building, but the faith was somewhat lacking in courage. The members had not been true knights of St. John, but the members had now taken the matter properly in hand. They had £2600 in hand_, but they required £8000 to erect a building that would fit their requirements and give them sufficient room to raise a' certain amount of revenue. They must set themselves to raise another £3500, and with £6000 in hand they i could" approach the Government. Their association was "For the good of man,'' and it was on this ground that they would appeal to the public. Further, they were out to help the sick and suffering, and people sick and suffering had a claim on the association. He was sure they would have no difficulty in receiving from the public in a pecuniary sense a return for their labours and assistance to carry on their work.

Dr. Arthur, moving the election of officers, ,said the committee in the past had been taxed by not having its own home. Eventually they hoped for consideration from the public and the Government, which would allow them to increase their efficiency by having their activities properly centred. The motion was seconded by Dr. Line, who referred to the extended field of work, particularly in streets and homes, on the playing fields, etc. He had noticed that the home' nurses were not working in their own homes at nursing or in other homes. He threw out several suggestions as to future workings of the association. The committee was elected as follows, the other officials remaining as previously: Mr. H. H. Seed, Mrs. Barltrop, Dr. A. E. A. Palmer, Mrs. K. Preston, Miss Robieson, Messrs. J. W. Jack, E. C. Cachemaille, A. O. Richardson, P. W. Ward, W. W. Dutton, Mrs. Gaby, Mrs. W. J. Helyer, Miss A. D. Rennie, Dr. T. F. Corkill, and Mr. J. O'Donovan.

Regret was expressed at the retirement of two of the "best workers in the association, Sir Edward Gibbs and Mr. A. A. Corrigan.

An address was then delivered by Dr. Platts Mills on the war work of the brigade, and the method in which the organisation.spread and increased the work of the members. She mentioned many names familiar to- those whose war work locally was so well known. She stated that the association sent 356,866 articles overseas and handled £30,000. Occasion was then taken to present to various members medallions and certificates of the association, and war service badges.

A musical programme, arranged by Mr. Leon de Mauny and Madame Evelyn de Maimy, was thoroughly appreciated by the attendance. Mr. de Mauny played a series of violin selections, in which his tone was remarkably good. He was enthusiastically recalled. Madame de Manny presented a couple of pianoforte solos, and sang two songs, in which she showed good range in a clear mezzo-so-prano voice, her enunciation being a feature. The audience showed a due appreciation, and floral tributes were forthcoming. The Lyric Quartette completed the programme, and were received as a good quartette is always received. ' A bandaging demonstration and the us^al votes of thanks concluded the meeting.