ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 78, 29 September 1934, Page 5

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

WELLINGTON CENTRE

Dr. J. S. Elliott presided over a meeting of the executive of the Wellington Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association on Thursday afternoon.

It was .reported that the Commissioner of Police had requested the association to inspect and report ou the various first-aid outfits at the main police stations in Wellington, as a result of which up-to-date equipment has been provided for the Central, Mount Cook, and Taranaki Street police stations. The Union Company has consented to transport, free of cost, a first-aid outfit for use in the Sounds at Picton. The Wellington Automobile Association lias also asked tl>ftt the association carry out a half-yearly inspection of the first-aid equipment carried by the patrol officers. The centre has arranged, with the cooperation of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, to provide instructors for the Terrace Boy Scout Group, Girl Guides Association. Wellington College, aud the Girls' Life Brigade, and classes in first-aid have been examined in many parts of the district. The centre has issued 131 certificates, 17 vouchers, and 6 medallions in first aid, 21 home nursing certificates, and 48 preliminary first-aid certificates since April 1, 1934. A Neil-Robertson stretcher has been received from St. John's Gage, England, on order for the Wellington Aero Club. This stretcher was forwarded to Mount Egmont recently in connection with the air disaster, but was not used. The Wellington Free Ambulance is now using it for demonstration purposes with the Hutt Valley Tramping Club, after which the Wellington division will give a demonstration to the various divisions in Wellington. SUB-CENTRE REPORT. Sub-centre reports showed a steady increase in various activities. Napier had recently held a street day, which brought in about £2S, the proceeds being divided between the Napier division, Napier and Port Ahuriri division, cadet division, and the sub-centre. In the matter of instruction in first-aid to the Legion of Frontiersmen it was decided that this should be carried out by the members of the Napier division, under the auspices of the subcentre. A home nursing class was proceeding smoothly under the guidance of Mrs. Mcßeath. It was also reported that the distribution of a sum of £10 to returned soldiers aud their dependants had been completed. Waipawa reported that grounds had been staffed for various fixtures. At the recent examination two members of the Home Nursing Division and. six members of the First Aid Division sat for* certificates, and six members of the home nursing and twelve members of the first aid division for their re-examination. A "shop" recently held resulted in a profit of just over £20, and the thanks of the association were accorded the Rev. Mr. Dyson for permitting them to share iv the proceeds of "Sunny Spain." Waipukurau advised that their first-aid course, which was attended by twenty-two members, had recently terminated. Palmerston North reported that it had firmly established first-aid classes, and the allocation of the recent grant for distribution among returned soldiers and their dependants was being carried out with the co-operation of the Red Cross Society and Returned Soldiers' Association. Marlborough stated that sixteen firstaid certificates, ten home nursing, five medallions, three vouchers, and two labels have been issued during the past few months. Three thousand first-air cards had been distributed to every house and business in Marlborough. A street day appeal resulted iv £38 15s 6d. In July the Blenheim Ambulance Division was formed and a home nursing class established. In August the membership increased to 45 members and 25 honorary members, and in September 13 members were examined in home hygiene. Nelson stated that during the past two mouths the sub-centre had held a first-aid examination aud had now commenced a home nursing class, the latter with a good attendance. There had been one call on the members of the blood transfusion branch, which worked under the subcentre, and the first-aid depot had an average of five to six patients per week.