DUNEDIN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 8236, 6 June 1890, Page 1

DUNEDIN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

There was a satisfactory attendance at the second annual meeting of the Dunedin Ambulance Association, held in the Young Women’s Christian Association Rooms last evening, and the various addresses were listened to with more than usual interest. An apology for absence was received from the mayor.

Mr Justice Williams presided, and moved the adoption of the report, which has already been published in our columns, In domg so he said:—Ladies and gentlemen, You will have seen from the report which you have just heard read that at present it is indeed the day of small things with the Dunedin Ambulance Association ; but we hope that as the humane objects of the Association are made known to the public a greater and more extended interest will be taken in it, and that a large number of the public may induced to become members l k The objects of the Association are to extend as widely as possible elementary surgical knowledge, in order that in the event of a sudden accident, in the absence of a regular medical man, persons on the spot may be ready to render assistance in anticipation of the coming of a skilled person. We ft * j * n m * nee < on wharves, on ships, and on railways serious accidents have happened. A strong man is knocked down and rendered incapable—he has to be conveyed to the hospital. If he is taken there in a proper litter, and by persons who are accustomed to the work, his sufferings are considerably diminished. Indeed, often it is the case that upon prompt measures being taken it depends whether the breadwinner of a family shall make complete recovery or become a cripple for life. It is, therefore, ot the highest importance that the inforiration which the society seeks to distribute should be spread as widely as possible among the workers of a community. It is true very true—that a little knowledge is & dangerous thing; but that, though true, is not the whole truth. Often it is the case that a little knowledge is exceedingly useful, provided that the person who has the limited knowledge is aware of the limits of his information. You will have observed from the report that lectures have been delivered during the past year. It is hoped that these, lectures will be extended. Tbs report observes that it is desirable that wheeled litters should be provided in suitable places, I believe it is the case that in L/hnstchurcn wheeled litters have been provided ; but in England, I am afraid—even in London—there is a lamentable want of appliances of the kind. I observed the other day in a debate in the English Parliament that the question was taken up—l think, in |he House of Lords—by the lari of Meath, who stated that in Boston and many other cities in America ambulance litters were provided, while in London and many towns in England they were not to be iOnnd. It would be very desirable that at the wharves here, at the railway station, anywhere where workers congregate and accidents are liable t« happen, litters should be provided. I am very glad to see that several medical gentlemen are present who will no doubt give the meeting the benefit of their experience and advice. lam sure that the thanks of the society are due to the gentlemen named in the report, and I am certain that all members of the medical profession would give a willing support to the society, as it is calculated to render them material assistance in their work. I am exceedingly glad to see in the report of the Committee that the services of one lady have been recognised.— (Applause.)_ In works of charity and mercy, and where it is a question of attending to the sick, we all look to what we are pleased to call the weaker sex, but what really in moments of sickness and emergency is very often the stronger sex. As I say,'there are several medical gentlemen present, and for my own part I hope that they all will be kind enough to address the meeting and give it the benefit of their advice. I will therefore confine myself to moving the adoption of the report. Bishop Nktill, in seconding the adoption of the report, said that knowledge was necessary to the creation of sympathy, and therefore the public must be kept informed as to the doings of the society in order to awaken an interest in its operations. This was a noble work, and was becoming their humanity in the highest sense. He could not oUu believe that, when efforts were put forth as narrated in the report, the society was carrying out the instructions of tho Master when he spoke the parable of the good Samaritan, and teaching true humanity and their duty to their neighbor. The adoption of the report was carried unanimously.

Sir R. Stout moved the re-election of the present office-bearers, and that the following additional vice-presidents be appointed • His Worship the Mayor, Rev. Dr Stuart, and the Right Rev. Bishop Nevill. The whole object of this society, no doubt, was to aid those who required assistance, and to exalt before us the sacredness of human life, DrCoLQonouN suggested the addition of Sir xl. Stout s name, bat Sir Robert declined nomination on the ground of his connection with so many organisations. Dr Coughtbet seconded the motion. An ambulance organisation was of use to the community in many ways, and the present Association had done really good and excellent work. The Railway Department had an organisation of its own, which was well trained, and the Commissioners had shown great interest in it. The police in this district were also trained in ambulance work, and ought to be able to render ail n j ance ■ the community when called on. It was intended shortly to have a litter placed at the railway station, and it was important that a wheeled litter should also be placed near the wharves. In Dunedin at present there was only one ambulance waggon, which was the property of the Hospital Trustees ; but this was insufficient. He suggested that an ambulance waggon should be specially provided for the conveyance of persons suffering from infectious diseases. Tne speaker further said that it was desirable to have at the Dunedin and Port Chalmers wharves a naval ambulance litter for lifting of men who had fallen down the hold of a vessel A nursing sisterhood might also be started in connection with the Ambulance Association.

The motion having been adopted Dr Colqghoun moved that the ’names of the following gentlemen be added to the Committee :-Messrs G. C. Israel, S. Mollison, G. Barclay (hon. secretary of the Railway Fire and Ambulance Association). Owen Kerr Burns, Logie, and Campbell. The Committee m thus extending their numbers wished to still further extend the sphere of the Association. Such an association expressed the humanitarian tendencies of the age. In seconding the resolution, Lieutenantcoionel Wales expressed the opinion that the attendance at the present meeting wai most encouraging to the Committee when contrasted with that at the last annual meeting. Mr Smith referred to the honorary and onerous duties performed by Mr W B S er “«y. and moved that a hearty vote of thanks be tendered to him The motion was carried by acclamation. nn o prl V B te Ti o V han k s to tlle chairman, proceeding! Dr STE - VKOUSE > concluded the pro-