ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

Evening Star, Issue 21255, 9 November 1932, Page 12

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

tCONTirniCTED.j The brigade will bo represented at the Armistice Day sendee at the Cathedral on Friday evening by officers only, and a full muster is requested. The Cathedral authorities regret that, owing to extra demands for seating, they have had to limit the space. The Dunedin Division met at headquarters last Tuesday night, when Mr J, C. While presided over a large attendance. The usual business was dealt with, nine members being detailed to attend the various public duties lor the week, and one to attend the Otago Motor Club’s beach races at Waikouaiti on Saturday. The keenness of members is tvpified "by the fact that two members" who were rung up at 5 p.m. to go on duty at 6.30 the same evening wore both in attendance. Reports handed in show that twelve cases had been attended to during the week. Stretcher drill was then taken, and some good work put in. 'The date fixed for the local competitions is set down as December 3, and the public should avail themselves of the opportunity of witnessing the work which is carried on week after week by the brigade. Already there are inquiries for information as to joining np in the new year. The fortnightly meeting of the Hillside Division was held on Monday evening, when Superintendent A. Thompson' presided over a meeting of twelve members. The main business of the evening was a discussion on the conditions governing the local competitions, and several recommendations were moved to be referred to tho executive. Mr W. Hobby was presented with bis advanced aid certificate and Air D. Young _ with his first aid. Members are reminded that the re-examination is to bo held on ■November 14. Three accidents wore reported as having been attended to. After the business had been disposed of members were instructed in the use of the lownioor jacket, also improvising same. Twenty-nine of the Hillside cadets answered the roll call last Thursday, when District Superintendent T. Belworthy hold the annual inspection of the division. Dr Hanan, divisional surgeon, took the second-year boys for their re-examination, and twelve cadets for their first aid. While this was in progress six teams competed for the Hillside Cadet Cup. No. 3 team— Cadets Freeman, Mosley, Smiley, and Honevbone (in charge)—wore first with 114* ‘marks out of 123. The competition was very close, and very good work was evident. Tho thanks of the division are due ,fa District Superintendent T. Belwortby and Corps Superintendent J. C. White for acting as judges in first aid and transport. THE ORDER OF ST. JOHN.

A very interesting ceremony took place recently in the chapel which stands in the grounds of Dmimore Manor, Herefordshire, when an oak panel was unveiled by Colonel Woolryeh Perowe, Registrar of the Order. The chapel, which is dedicated to St. John of Jerusalem, is the only part remaining of an ancient preceptory of the Knight Hospitallers which existed and functioned from the time of Richard I. until about 1515, when it was dissolved by Edward VI. and handed over to a layman. During that period of over three centuries it was directed by a preceptor who was a Knight of St. John, and it also possessed a chaplain in residence, belonging to the order. The present church, which is still known as the “Preceptory Chapel,” was almost entirely rebuilt in the fourteenth century, but parts of the original north wall still remain. It has undergone many vicissitudes since the Dissolution, having been at times used as a barn. It wai fully restored in 1886. The panel is the gift of the present lord of the manor, who has taken the greatest interest in the history of the preceptory and has compiled, after much research, an almost complete roll of the knights and chaplains who officiated there, and whose names appear on the panel. The last Preceptor of Dinmore was Sir Thomas Docwra. who afterwards became Grand Prior of England. The panel stands in an arched recess in the north wall, the names and dates being carved and gilded, while in addition such coats of arms as could he traced have been emblazoned, the whole effect being very handsome.