ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Star, Issue 22379, 1 July 1936, Page 13

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION HUMANITARIAN VALUE OF WORK STRESSED The humanitarian value of its work was stressed by various speakers at the annual meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association (Otago Centre) in the Council Chambers last night, and the need for much greater public support of a movement which was of great community worth was also urged by the speakers. The mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox) presided over a large attendance, the enthusiasm shown auguring well for another successful year of activity. MAYOR’S ADDRESS. Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the Mayor said that the year had been an outstanding one in the history of the association. Firstly, there was the visit of the representative of the Grand Prior of the Order (the Duke of Connaught) in the person of Colonel Sleeman. Such a visit probably had not taken place for a very long period; The visit of such a distinguished person and one representing such a distinguished gentleman as the Duke of Connaught was a very great benefit to the association, bringing its wirk prominently before the public and acting as a stimulus to members of the association. The other outstanding feature of the year was the elevation of Sir Louis Barnett to the order of Knight of Grace of St. John, a most popular and most deserved elevation. The Otago Centre had the distinction of having three knights of grace in its membership, and this was probably unique in New Zealand. In tendering the congratulations of the city to the organisation the Mayor congratulated it on the freedom from any major disaster, which the association always stood prepared to meet. Other parts of the Dominion suffered greatly from storms and floods that were very devastating, and in those distresses the St. John Ambulance Association played its part in relief. One province narrowly escaped a maritime disaster of the greatest magnitude, indicating to them all that only he was safe who was fully equipped and prepared. They lived to-day in an age that called for social service as no age before it had done, and with an increasing population the demands upon the" association were ever growing. He noted with pleasure that during the coming year the association purposed extending its nursing operations in the district of South Dunedin, and the City Council had set its approval to that < programme by allotting to the association a special sum for that object. It was a great pleasure to preside over the _ gathering and to commend the association’s work to the notice and support of the citizens. (Applause.) Mr John Ash seconded the motion, and expressed the association’s appreciation to the mayor for the sympathy ho had always shown it. Mr Ash also paid tribute to members of the council for the support they had always accorded the association. With the coming of better times it was hoped to extend the work of the association. They had had a very successful year, and Colonel Sleeman’s visit had been a great stimulus to the association. He was a man of great thoroughness, who had taken very seriously the work of inspecting the various units of the Ambulance Association. It was encouraging and heartening to have from Colonel Sleeman an appreciation of the work they were doing. Mr Ash thanked the City Council and local bodies for their financial support, and went on to refer to the work of the district nurses, which was very wide in its scope. They had been most self-denying and assiduous in their duties. During the year Sister Barclay, their senior district nurse, had retired. She had worked efficiently and tirelessly for more than 30 years, and' they were glad they had had the opportunity of recognising to some extent the great work she had done. A local district nursing scheme had been established in Roslyn, and it was hoped to establish, under the association’s auspices, another in South Dunedin. Thje association’s aim was to have a chain of district nurses covering the city and suburbs. They had much for which to thank the Fire Board, the accommodation at the fire station enabling them to carry on the work at a much cheaper rate than was the case in any other centre. He also referred to the efficiency of the ambulance drivers. Valuable work was being done by the Finance Committee, which was comprised of business men. The speaker paid a tribute to the work of the secretary (Mr A. Peters), and to that of Messrs J. C. White and P. Morey for the time they had devoted to the classes. The question of accommodation was also touched upon by Mr Ash, who said that the association’s present rooms were quite inadequate for its purpose. This was a matter that would have to be gone into in the near future. Speaking to the report, Mr H. Harris expressed the appreciation of the sporting organisations for the work of the brigade in sending members to all grounds where games were played. There must be at least 60 or 70 games each Saturday afternoon during the winter, and he wished the association to know that the services of the members were appreciated, ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted: — Patrons, Sir Louis Barnett and Sir Percy Sargood; president, Mr John Ash ; vice-presidents—Messrs G; Moir, T. Somerville, H. Harris, A. M'Hutchon. Dr W. H. Borrie, Mesdames G. M. Baker and G. M. Davis; General Committee—Messrs J. C. White, A. C. Laing, J. Moir, D. C. Cameron, P. S. Anderson, J. J. Salmon, R. H. Price, P. Morey, A. Peters, Drs A. R. Falconer. R. Fulton, N. Speight, and representatives from Otago Hospital Board, British Medical Association, and Trained Nurses’ Association; hon. auditor, Mr R. Crookes ; hon. solicitor. Mr A. I. W. Wood. COMMUNITY VALUE OP WORK. Moving a motion —“ That the work of the association is worthy of support ” —Dr Newlands gave a spirited address dealing with the humanitarian work of the St. John Ambulance Association, work which he said was deserving of all public support. Referring to the district nursing scheme, Dr Newlands spoke of the value of this work, and said that new conditions had arisen, and additional district nursing schemes were being established by the association, In these circumstances satisfactory organisation and co-operation were imperative, and the association was the responsible body to take this work in hand. New quarters and new equipment were required, and for this purpose the association required the full support of the public. (Applause.) Mr J. W. Dove seconded the motion and referred to the work of the Honorary Blood Transfusion Society. In an

unostentatious way they had rendered freat service to the sick and suffering, here was a wonderful organisation at Hillside, the members of which had come forward and given freely of their blood. The St. John Voluntary Blood Transfusion Society was in need of such assistance from members of the community who were in a position to come forward and render that service. Sir Louis Barnett expressed his thanks for the congratulations that had been conveyed to him. and said that from the earliest years of his profession in this district he had been deeply interested in the work of the St. John Ambulance Association. He expressed the hope that the association’s work would be brought before the notice of those who could assist its finances. The work of iHie order was founded on the most sacred of principles, and was of immense service to the whole community. In peace time it did not attract so much attention, though it "did very | .valuable work • but when trouble came’ about it was then that the St. John Ambulance Association and the whole organisation came right to the forefront. If the community depended on such a body in times of disaster, then it would realise the importance of maintaining a keen interest in the work of the society. Ho expressed his pleasure at the increase in interest that had taken place in the work of the movement, which he hoped would grow stronger and stronger with time. (Applause.) PRESENTATION TO COLONEL BARCLAY. A presentation of an illuminated address and a further token of regard was made to Colonel G. Barclay, Chief Commissioner for New Zealand, by Colonel P. Morey, Assistant Commissioner of the Brigade, who said that Colonel Barclay had been for many years one of the mainstays of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in New Zealand. He had held rank as Chief Commissioner for a long period, and had seen the movement grow from a handful of divisions to the large number it comprised to-day. The officers and men of the brigade now desired to show their appreciation of Colonel Barclay’s service to Order of St. John, and they hoped his work would continue for many years to come. (Applause.) Colonel Barclay returned thanks for the presentation, and for the sentiments expressed, and said that not only in Otago but throughout New Zealand the movement was progressing, and activities were being spread to many towns. There was room for much more extension yet, however, for only one person in 500 had a knowledge of first aid.. Colonel Barclay concluded by commending the work of the association to the public. VOTES OF SYMPATHY. Votes of sympathy, moved by Mr J. C. White, were passed to Mrs G. M. Baker, Mr G. Moir, and Miss E. M. Harborow, who wire unable to be present owing to illness, and Mr White stated that Mr Moir had been a member for 45 years. TRIBUTE TO NEW PRESIDENT. After Mr Ash had moved a comprehensive vote of thanks to various persons and organisations which had assisted the association, the mayor paid a tribute to the new president (Mr Ash) and congratulated him on his appointment. Mr Cox said that the appointment was popular and deserved, and all were sure that Mr Ash was a man who would carry forward the work of the association.