ST. JOHN NURSES

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 97, 21 October 1936, Page 10

ST. JOHN NURSES

PROPOSED COMPETITION

TEAM

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—There are many • organisations throughout the world, the active members of which day in, day out, week after week, give their time, nay their lives, to help those Jess fortunate than themselves. I would not be far wrong in suggesting that the greatest of these organisations is^the St. John Ambulance Association. Coming closer to our interests, we all know that here in Wellington we have one of the most efficient and useful bodies of the unit in New Zealand, but -perhaps not everyone knows that one division in particular, I refer to the Wellington South Nursing Division, has, I should say, the finest record for any one division in New Zealand. Year after ; year a squad from this division hies forth to other towns, and in competitibn with the best New Zealand can produce, brings back honour to the division, to the brigade, -to Wellington. Apart from competitions work- these • people give voluntary service at all public functions, sports events, etc., and also assist in the first aid and home nursing instruction classes. Now, in May of next year the St. John Ambulance Association in England is holding its jubilee, during which celebrations teams from the various Dominions in the British Empire have been invited to compete. What better representation could we have than to send a squad from the Wellington South Nursing Division with its wonderful record of having won 26 events open to any team in New Zealand, with 6 seconds and 4 thirds, making 36 placings out of 44 events in which it has competed. Apart from these competitions it has an equally good record of success in the Wellington district events: j To this end a brave scheme has been launched by this enterprising division, to wit, the raising of £600 to send a team Home to bring honour not only to St. John in New Zealand, not only to Wellington, but to New Zealand as a whole. Art unions have been launched; and other means of raising money are being tapped to bring in the required amount, but it requires more than the work of a few; it requires the co-operation of the whole of Wellington. What more fitting response could we give for services than to send this team abroad to compete against the best that every country can produce? ' If the enclosed contribution will start the ball rolling for a subscription list, and should this reminder bring an abler pent, than mine to hehj> the promotion of this scheme, I shall be assured that Wellington has not forgotten the quiet but vital work of St. John.—l am, etc., F.LUCAS. . [The correspondent enclosed a contribution of £ 1 which is being forwarded to the Lady Superintendent of the Wellington South Nursing Division, Mrs. E. K. Betts, 58 Majoribanks Street, Wellington.] '?