ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1936, Page 16

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

GROWTH. IN DOMINION

INDISPENSABLE SERVICE

The creation and development of the St. John Ambulance Association in New Zealand was touched upon by the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop), speaking at the annual meeting of the Wellington Centre of the association last night.

Last year saw the fiftieth anive'rsary of the association in New Zealand, said Mr. Hislop, the movement being started in Wellington in 1885, and activity had been gradually increased, especially since the beginning of the present century. From 1885 to 1900 very little effective work was done, progress being so slow that in 1898 a vigorous protest was made by a 'prominent citizen and backed up by the Press. The following year an accident took place in Willis Street, and although a crowd assembled at once one of the victims was allowed to bleed to death because no one present had any knowledge of first aid. This incident aroused more criticism, and since 1900 the association had gone ahead rapidly until it had reached its present position as an indispensable part of the social structure.

Referring to extracts from the annual report, Mr. Hislop mentioned the work being done in regard to motor accidents, and also the blood transfusion service.

For the future the association would have to rely upon its own activities and the assistance of the public. He felt confident that the service performed by the association was known and appreciated by the people of the city. Mr. Hislop concluded by paying a tribute to had helped the association during the year.

Officers were elected as foIlows:-T-President, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop); vice-presidents, Archbishop O'Shea, Bishop Sprott, Canon Percival James, the Rev. J. R. Blanchard, Mrs. W. J. Helyer, Mrs. J. K. Preston, Lady Luke, the General Manager of Railways (Mr. G. H. Mackley); general committee, Mrs. C. B. Gaby, Miss H. McKnight, Mr. H. A. Huggins, Mr. W. D. Dutton, Mr. Dudley Tripe, Dr. C. G. Morice, Colonel W. H. Cunningham, Mrs. E. M. Osborn, Mr. S. J. Harrison, Dr. J. S. Elliott, Mr. Frank Kennedy, Dr. S. Harcourt Arthur, and Mr. J. AnnandSmith; hon. treasurer of centre, Mr. H. A. Huggins.