ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Star, Issue 18640, 22 May 1924, Page 9

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE. INADEQUATE PLANT. The monthly meeting of tlio executive of the St. John Ambulance Association was held in the association's rooms, Octagon, last evening. The Rev. V. G. Bryan King occupied the chair, and there was a, good attendance of, members. The Chairman mentioned that ■ Miss M'Nab, the newly-appointed hospital hostess, had taken up her duties on May 1, and had already given ample proof of her suitability for the position. Referring to the forthcoming carnival, Mr King said that so far prospects were very encouraging, and it was hop?d that the much-needed funds to carry on tho work would be realised. Dr M'Kibbin was unanimously appointed to a seat on the executive. The usual monthly reports were submitted by the secretary and adopted. During April the nurses paid 390 visits, and the ambulances were called for on 76 occasions, involving 642 miles' .running. Arrangements were made to provide ambulance men for the principal football grounds, and the winter classes of instruction in first aid and home nursing commence shortly. Before dealing with the correspondence, the Chairman said that an interesting historical document, the minutes of the meeting forming the Dunedin Centre on November 6, 1888, and those of the ensu-' ing meeting, had been presented to the centre by Mr J. Crosby Smith, who acted as secretary on these occasions. It was decided to thank Mr Smith and to have the documents suitably preserved. Among the letters "laid on the table was one from the secretary of the Dunedin Fire Board enclosing a copy of_ a report made by Superintendent A. G. Napier to that board on the ambulance plant. Mr Napier urged the immediate purchase of a new and up-to-date English-built machine to take over the long-distance work and relieve the other ambulances. A long discussion followed, the financial aspect of the proposal receiving most attention. It was pointed out that a public appeal, powerfully supported by the Press, and already been made for this object. Tho response, despite several isolated generous donations, had been very disappointing. The cost of an ambulance' such as Mr Napier suggested was somewhere between £9OO and £I,OOO. The actual sum realised was £3YO, oi which £l5O was given in one donation and nearly £IOO subscribed by tho members of the executive. This was not very encouraging. The public knew where to find the ambulance when wanted to convey a patient, but seemed to forget the address when money was wanted. The loss on the service was already very heavy, and a new machine could not possibly be procured out of revenue. It was sincerely hoped that the carnival appeal in July next would bring in sufficient money to finance a new ambulance and other pressing requirements.