THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 10342, 16 June 1897, Page 1

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

The following are the principal portion* of the eighth annual, report of the above Association : The year's work has been again successful. The City classes were well attended—indeed, had we been able to make arrangements, as hoped at the time, we would hare had a second women's first ai'l class. So many applied for tickets for Dr Macpherson's class that 30 more were refused. Country classes are not so noticeable a feature in this year's work; bat we are not disappointed, for the most sanguine could hardly expect that all last year's classes would continue. These classes are conducted under difficulties. Ihe doctors' practices extend over a large area of country, and they are liable to be oiled away on lecture nights. Members have lon 4 distances to travel over bad roads and in rough weather. And again, some who do attend a'e employed in gold mining, and are often woiking on the night shift. The Dunedin corpp, under Hon. Surgeon Closs, Superintendent Mearns, and the officers, report a year's woik. The member-i-hip is now 54, while the average atten<lance at their indoor drills has been 32. Outdoor drills have also been held, much to the advantage of those attending. The members have on more than one occision proved the benefit of their knowledge of first aid to the injured. The Women'* Nursing Corps, numbering 27, under Hon. Surgeon Barnett and their superintendent (Mrs Los id), have been busy during the winter. Dr Barnett has been untiring in his interest and distraction. Thanks are also due to Miss Fraser, matron of the hospital, for a lecture which she kindly delivered. Classes for men and women have been held in Port Chalmers, Dr Cunnioghame being the kc tare. Ten members of the Port Chalmers Naval Artillery were among thoie attending the course. The classes were well attended, bnt unfortunately many of the men were at work on the night fixed for examination. The importance of the Assoc'ation's work in Port Chalmers is self-evident. Dr Cattan has had a nur.ii g diss at Outram. At Balclutba Dr Fleming has held fh-ct aid lectures for men and evening classes for women. Dr NewelL, at Lawrence, has held a course of nareiog lectures. The volunteers are showing some interest in ambulance work, which is evidenced by IS oerJ tificates being gained by members of the Otago ! Hussars,- Dunedin Naval Artillery, and Port Chalmers Artillery. In all 398 have attended a course of lectures during the Winter. Of these 146 have gained fiist aid certificates, 25 advanced aid oertifi ates, 37 nursing certificates, 18 medallions—a total of 224 cettificates an<l medaliions. The total number of members instructed since the formation of eentre is 2,630, and the total number of certificates and medallions issued since tba formation of the eentre is 1,276. One thou sat J one hundred and twenty-eight men have completed a course of instraction, 508 men have gained certificates, 55 men have gained medallions, 934 women have completed a course of first aid lic'ure», 358 women have attended a course of nursing lectures, 496 women have obtained first aid certificates, and 161 women have obtained aursing ce tificates and 51 medallions. We must express our regret that mere of these who attend the lectures do sot present themselves for examination. When the total of those attending the lectures is compared with the total number of certificates gained, hj appears- to some that a larpc number fail to pass. But this is not to, for the number who fail to pass the examination is comparatively small. The Committee again desire to ex, r. ss their gr.tteful thanks t > the medical protest-ion for their service* as lecturers and examiner?. To th in the suoce-f of the eentre io very largely elua. The Press ai*o Usve coaiuiiu>i to show their kind appreciation of our work. The Garrison Hall trustees still grant us the use • f a room for our committee meetings and the municipal authorities permit the n en's- corps to meet in the reading room oi the Fiießrgade station, for both of which privilege wj are thankful—as, indeed, we arc to all nl.o have and are iissutirg the Association in their work.