ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23353, 24 August 1939, Page 3

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION The quarterly meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association was held this week, when there were present Mr H. L. Paterson (in the chair). Lady Ferguson, Miss Applegartb, Messrs H. Harris, I'. Somerville, A. M'Hntchon, P. C. Wilkinson. D. S. Maclean, Die Falconer, Speight, and Fulton. Reference was made to the death of Mr George Aloir, who had_ been a member of the association since 1890. A motion of sympathy with Ids relatives was passed. Colonel George Barclay, chief commissioner, forwarded the following summary of public duty taken throughout the Dominion on June 2-1: —

REPORTS. The Finance Committee, in its report, brought forward a recommendation that, with a view to furthenhg the work of St. John in Otago and the gaining of additional subscriptions in order that the activities of the association may be maintained, an honorary organiser be appointed. This recommendation met with the approval of the executive, and Mr P._C. Wilkinson was appointed to the position. Up to July 31 grants and donations had been received from the following and were gratefully acknowledged : Otan-o Hospital Board, Dunedin Savings Bank, estate late Lottie _ Wedlake, “ Anonymous,” “ A Well-wisher,” Sir Percy Sargood, Beaumont Racing Club, Mesdames Rennie, M‘Donald, Blair, King. . It was resolved to write to the Government asking for a rebate on the cost of petrol used in'maintaining tho ambulance service. TRANSPORT RETURNS. The number of calls attended by the four ambulances during June amounted to 139, and the distance covered totalled 1,4-18 miles. There were 15 accident calls, and on three occasions the ambulance was called out and not required. Three race meetings were attended . In July the number of calls was 129, and the distance travelled 1,109 miles. Accidents calls totalled 25, and the brigade was called out and not required on six occasions. Tho corresponding figures for last year were: June, 114 calls, 892 miles; July, 151 calls, 1,501 miles. A motion was passed placing on record the executive’s appreciation .of the valuable work done by the ambulance drivers and voluntary brigade members during tho snow storm. DISTRICT NURSES’ REPORT. During the month of June 59 patients were visited by district nurses on 432 occasions, and in July_ 55 patients were visited on 393 occasions. Eight new patients were received in June and 11 in July, while the deaths recorded during the two months numbered five. With a view’ to extending the work of district nursing in Dunedin, the Nursing Committee recommended that the president of the association call a meeting of representatives of organisations interested, when the matter could bo discussed. The recommendation was approved and arrangements will bo made to hold the meeting at an early date. The following gifts have been received :—Curtains for lecture room from Sir Undo Ferguson; invalid chair from Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society.

c >> 0) -u to ■s. c ra District. c cl JD 3 3 £ a <u "S? '3--3 U) i« S £ C5 o U rt U -p Auckland 400 828 80 843 Wellington 351 219 73 298 Wanganui 86 84 21 280 Canterbury and 81 West Coast 303 187 27 Otago ... ... 102 64 14 118 Invercargill 14 17 ' Totals 1,256 899 269 1,917 — 1938 figures ... 998 853 181 1 726