ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Star, Issue 22938, 21 April 1938, Page 7

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

BRIGADE NOTES The Dunedin Central Nursing Division commenced the New Year with its annual meeting. Receiving the annual report, the members of the district and corps staff congratulated the division on its past work, and hoped it would show even greater advancement during 1938. It was stated that in the early part of the year, owing to the fact that some members had not had the ppportunity of completing their training and gaining the necessary certificate, together with the fact that, being a new division, the requisite amount of equipment was not available, the task of building up the division had been a strenuous one, and therefore it showed credit to the officers that the standard of efficiency at the close of the year was so high. The annual reexamination was held, conducted by the divisional surgeon, Mr J. Mclnroy, who expressed his complete satisfaction. The annual reinspection was carried out by Lieut.-colonel PH. Morey, V.D., St.J.B. The report to hand for this year states that for the period ended April 11 the division had carried out a number of duties, comprising 21 cases of first-aid, 26 cases of home nursing, and eight blood transfusions at the Public Hospital. A further meeting night took the form of a lecture given by Dr J. Mcllroy, whose subject was “ High arid Low Blood Pressure.” This was received with enthusiasm, and at the close of the lecture Miss Dawson, on behalf of the division, moved a vote of thanks to the doctor. CADET ACTIVITIES

A successful social function was held in the Hillside Social Hall for cadet ambulance divisions. There were representatives from the Hillside. Wesley, and Dunedin cadet divisions. At the commencement of the evening Corps Officer L. Stewart inspected the boys on parade, and a short lecture was given by Cadet Officer A. Dickson, his subject being “Hsemorrhage and its Treatment.” During the evening Mr Stewart presented Lady Cadet Superintendent Miss E. Cole with her medallion and congratulated her on receiving this award. He also presented cadet proficiency badges to Cadets G. Ling, R. White, F. Pete, and A. Duchras. GENERAL Corps Superintendent P. C. Wilkinson, together with some of his staff, paid official visits to the Dunedin Nursing and Kaikorai Ambulance Divisions during the month. In acknowledgment of the work carried out by the members of the brigade on picnics, letters of appreciation hrive been received from the Hillside Railway Workshops and the Foresters Lodge. . Brigade activities are expanding at an increasing rate as the years pass. The demand for brigade members for public duties, ambulance transport and emergency calls has increased considerably during the past two years and there now exists an excellent opportunity for those who are interested to associate themselves with the work of St. John. It is considered that the Dunedin branch could absorb approximately 1000 new members. At the new headquarters in York place the association office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Monday to Friday inclusive, and from 9 a.m. till noon on Saturdays. During these hours anyone can obtain full information. For those who are unable to visit during the day the office will .be open from 8 till 9 o’clock on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

The 1938 winter programme commences on Tuesday, and the various subjects for lectures this year consist of first aid, home nursing, hygiene, camp sanitation and the latest course in air raid precautions. In addition, there will be many combined lectures by competent authorities on special medical subjects to lay members.