ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23128, 30 November 1938, Page 9

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

BRIGADE NDTES Recently there has been much discussion on the desirability of making first aid instruction compulsory in the last two standards of primary schools throughout New Zealand. ‘ This, however, would not be a new departure for Oamaru, as first aid classes, under the auspices of the Oamaru branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, have been conducted for some time at the Waitaki Boys’ Junior High ‘School by Cadet Superintendent G. J. Sceats. The presentation of first aid certificates to members of their classes took place in the Hall of Memories, when 103 certificates were presented. The presentations were made by District Superintendent Dr R. S. J. Fitzgerald, S.B. St. J.. and associated with him wfere Divisional Superintendent W. J. Davies O. St. J., Divisional Surgeon Dr E. E. Butler, and Cadet Superintendent G. J. Sceats.

The rector (Mr F. Milner), greeting the visitors, said that the inclusion of ambulance classes in the school work was very welcome in this mechanised age, as it was absolutely necessary that the boys should be trained in first aid.

Dr Fitzgerald thanked Mr Milner for allowing the classes to be held at the school. Waitaki was probably the first school where classes were conducted on such a large scale. He expressed thanks to Mr Sceats for the work carried out, and remarked on the high standard that the boys had reached. It was essential that proper first aid knowledge should be taught in schools, and he hoped that the boys would carry on in the work of the brigade upon leaving school. _ The cadet division which has been formed at the school was then inspected by the officers of the brigade, after which the members underwent an examination in first aid work. DUNEDIN AMBULANCE DIVISION

A large number of members and friends attended the social held at headquarters last Tuesday evening. Mr E. Flawn, divisional superintendent. extended a welcome to all present and spoke of the work which the divisional members were doing. Mr Flawn then asked Mrs J. C. White to present the J. C. White Cup to the team which had won it at the recent divisional competition. Mrs White congratulated the team on its success, and hoped the members would continue to take an interest in the work of St. John. She also mentioned the interest her late husband had taken in the work and how he had risen from a member of the division through various divisional and corps positions till he had become senior district superintendent for the Otago district. Mr Flawn then asked Corps Officer D. S. Maclean to present the miniature cups, which he gives each year to members of the wining team, to Messrs Chisholm. Still. Rice, and Pearce. He congratulated the members on the work which they were doing, particularly in connection with the transport work.

Mr Flawn, on behalf of the members of the division, presented Mr Maclean with an inscribed inkwell, and spoke of his popularity as superintendent of the division and hoped that he would still have many years of service as corps public duties officer. Mr Chisholm took the opportunity of presenting Superintendent E. Flawn with a reading lamp in appreciation of the work he had done during the year. Items were rendered by the Roslyn Piano-accordion Band, which played three numbers, and a vocal solo was presented by Mr Hanna. The evening was then given over to dancing, Mr Flawn being an efficient M.C. WESLEY NURSING CADETS The following candidates were successful in passing the annual examination. the examiner being Lady Corps Superintendent Sister G. L. Barclay:— Fir§t Aid. Margaret Chapman, Doreen Maclaren, Elsie Fail. Yvonne Wood, and Dorothy Goodlet. Home Nursing.—Ngaire Doull, Joyce Matheson, Margaret Harstonge. Nola Bond, and Eileen Waller. Re-examination, Fifth Year. —Alice Pockson. ST. JOHN LADIES’ GUILD The members of the St. John Ladies’ Sewing Guild have been working hard in preparation for the Christmas fair, which is to be held at the St. John Ambulance headquarters ori Friday. A considerable amount of support has been promised, and members of the brigade are rendering active assistance.

The object of the Sewing Guild is to provide articles of clothing and other comforts for the sick poor of the city and suburbs. In co-operation with the St. John district nurses, a wise distribution of these articles is made. At the present time the guild finds itself short of funds, and an endeavour is being made by means of the fair to improve the financial position.

HOME NURSING EXAMINATIONS The following have qualified for their certificates; —

Headquarters Class. —Miss E. Weatherall, Miss Moira McKenzie, Miss E Baird, Miss H. McKay, Miss K. Chaye, Miss Boyd, Miss I. Jones, Miss W. Blair, Miss E. Anderson, Miss Grace Botting, Miss M. Turner, Mrs Wards, Mrs Chaye. Mrs Logan, Mrs Mitchell, and Miss Margaret McKenzie. Mosgiel Class.—Misses Florence Dark Pearl Roberts, Lorna Hendry. Ida Sellwood, Leah Scurr, Nellie Renton and Addie Connor, Mrs W. Dpig, Messrs Ivan Thomson, James Kirk, Harrison Irving, Edmund Vaughan, and George Connor.