ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23099, 27 October 1938, Page 16

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

BRIGADE NOTES HILLSIDE DIVISION. The Efficiency Cup Competitions were held in the Drill Hall on Saturday last week, and revealed that the standard of - work in the division was equal to that of previous years, if not higher. The judges were as follows; Assistant Commissioner W. D. Pirrett, Lady District Officer Mrs Fox, District Officer A. G. A. Swanson, Corps Officer D. S. Maclean and Corps Officer Westfield. The following are the results of the various competitions, five teams entering in each event: —Efficiency Cup— Messrs ■ Burridge, Coward, Stuart and Porteous; Hobby Shield—Messrs Lurridge, Coward, Stuart and Porteous. Fox Cup (rolled bandaging), Mr R. Hay; Fox Novice Medal, Mr S. A. Corbett. Corps Officer A. Westfield was the judge for the transport and Sister Ready judged the individual roller bandaging. At a social held in the evening, at which approximately 100 were present, the various trophies were presented by the chief commissioner, Colonel G. Barclay and Assistant Commissioner W. D. Pirrett. A first aid kit was also presented to Mr W. Burridge. who was the winner of the recent Diagnosis Competition. Mr Burridge is to becomplimented on his performance, which was outstanding. The teams which are entering for the Interdistrict Competitions are hard at work practising, despite the fact that some members are on night shift The division is entering two novma teams, two senior teams, two roller bandaging teams and two teams for the Officers’ Cup, altogether a praise worthy effort, and they hope to uphold previous traditions of the Hillside Division. OBITUARY. On Friday, October 7, the death occurred of Mr A. G. Foster, S.B.St.J. remembered by many as the founder of Loco No. 1 Ambulance Division. It was while stationed at Dunedin in 1926 that Mr Foster started a first aid class at the Locomotive Depot. After the members had gained their first aid certificates he formed the Loco No. 1 Division, becoming its first superintendent. 9 His one ambition was to impart the knowledge of first aid to the members. How well he succeeded has been shown by the great record of the division where members have been able to compete in competitions with Other divisions all over the Dominion with crrAof 8 On being transferred to Napier. Mr Foster joined up with the Napier Ambulance Division, becoming the superintendent of the division. While he was holding that position the Napier earthquake took place and the record of the services that the division rendered under his leadership is a matter of history. Retiring from the Railways, Mr Foster settled in Timaru and continued to take a live interest in ambulance work and various other public bodies. Of a retiring disposition. Mr Foster did not push himself into the limelight but continued to carry on the work of St. John with all the vigour at his command. His interest was always with the Loco. No. 1 Division, and he maintained that interest till his death. ST. JOHN LADIES’ GUILD. The St. John Ladies’ Sewing Guild has now concluded its ordinary activities for the year, having completed the making of a large quantity of clothing, etc., for issue by the St. John district nurses to the sick and aged poor of the city. The season has been a very successful one and the members have carried out their work very enthusiastically. In order, however, to provide funds which will be required for next season’s work, it has been decided to hold a one-day Christmas Fair at the St. John headquarters early in December. The women composing the Guild, together with their friends, are now busily engaged in preparing articles suitable for sale to the public on that occasion. Many promises of support have already been received. ASSOCIATION NOTES.

The association desires to express gratitude for the recent donations for the work of the district nurses. Registered envelopes are a delight, especially when they contain a substantial donation such as was received last week —10 from a grateful patient, £5 from another, a hospital bed with water-bed and other sick room accessories from Mrs H., and an invalid chair from Mrs S.

Besides these things, there are many letters of appreciation which are not for the public eye, but which convey the gratitude of many patients who have been helped in times of pain and anxiety by the skill and sympathy of the district nurses.