ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23444, 8 December 1939, Page 12

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

BRIGADE NOTES BALCLUTHA DIVISION. Tho wind-up supper and presentation of certificates of the Balclutha Ambulance and Nursing Divisions was held last Saturday evening, Mr D. Mt. Henderson being in tho chair. The Chairman expressed thanks for tho divisions to tho various lecturers who had conducted classes throughout the year. Ho expressed gratification at the largo classes formed' locally, and congratulated Superintendent E. V. Hughes on his good work in organising classes in the country districts. He spoke of the demand for service in these days, cited the example of Madame Curie, and concluded by extending congratulations to all who had gained certificates, complimenting tho division on the high standard of work done. A pleasing incident took place when Miss N. Gold, lady ambulance officer, on behalf of first-year students, presented Superintendent Hughes with a wall mirror as a mark of appreciation of his work in coaching the classes. In replying, Mr Hughes thanked the members for their gift and expressed appreciation of the keenness shown by members, and especially those who had! given so much valuable assistance in organising in country districts. Miss W. Wells, superintendent of the nursing division, handed to Mr Henderson a crystal vase to be presented to the matron of the hospital as a small token of appreciation from the nursing division. Tho function concluded with a verse of the National Anthem. Tho following are the results of the Waiwera class examinations (nine sat, and all passed):—First aid; Mrs Homan, Mrs J. Clements, Misses J. Neale, B. Neale, J. Taylor, and Meldrum; Messrs J. Clements, W. Neale, and E Taylor. NORTH-EAST VALLEY NURSING DIVISION. . During Lady Divisional Superintendent Miss McKenzie’s absence, Lady Ambulance Officer Mrs Faulds has been in charge, and the members of the division wish to convey their thanks to her. Owing to tho social hall being used for a first aid class on Monday evening, it was not possible to hold the usual closing social. The annual re-examination was held recently, Dr Clark Hanan being tho examiner. All who sat passed with credit. Six members of the division havo completed their V.A.D. training at the Public Hospital, while several members havo just completed the hygiene course. It is most satisfactory to see so many members taking such an active interest in the work of St. John. There was an excellent attendance of members at the annual inspection. A demonstration of first aid work was given by a team, while others gave a demonstration of roller bandaging. Tho division will be in charge of the sweet stall at the garden party which is to be held at the residence of Lady Ferguson on Saturday afternoon, and donations for the stall may be left at headquarters up to 12 noon on Saturday. The following members have gained their medallions this year:—Mrs L. Logan, Misses M. M'Kenzie, K. Chavo, M. Turner, M, Toneyclilf, V. Wadsworth, and N. Jenkins. WESLEY CADETS. The annual divisional competitions were held on November 23. There were excellent entries and tho work done was of a very high standard. The superintendent and members would like to thank Mrs Liddicoat and Miss Smart, who consented to act as judges. Tho following are tho results: —First aid: Juniors —Gloria Scoles 1, Shirley Richards 2; seniors—Yvonne Wood 1, Margaret Chapman 2. Homo nursing: Seniors —Yvonne _ Wood 1, Margaret Chapman 2; juniors—Gloria Scoles 1, Shirley Richards 2., After the competitions an inspection was made of the work done by cadets in the various handicraft classes. SOCIAL COMMITTEE, There was an excellent attendance of members at the fortnightly meeting, which was held last Thursday night. A welcome was extended to Mr Gerald-Ferguson, who is assisting with the arrangements for the garden party to be held at Lady Ferguson’s residence. Stalls have been allotted as , follows:—Sweet Stall, North-east Valley Nursing Division; cake stall, A.R.P. Division; gift stall. Transport Division; flower and produce, members of tho Otago Women’s Club, assisted by the Kaikorai Ambulance Division; book stall, Otago Women’s Club; tea rooms, Dunedin Nursing Division; games, Hillside Ambulance Division; drinks, Dunedin Ambulance Division. Quito a number of donations have already been received, and if the weather is fine it should be a most successful function. After a short discussion on the question of the catering for the dances 'the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m. MILTON DIVISION. There was an attendance of over 200 at the social held by the Milton Division last Tuesday evening. Visitors were. present from the Hillside Ambulance Division, Dunedin, and the Balclutha Ambulance and Nursing Divisions. An enjoyable time was spent in dancing, interspersed with musical and vocal items. During an interval Superintendent E. V. Hughes (Balclutha) presented the certificates gained by members of the Milton classes during the year. DUNEDIN DIVISION. The closing social of the Dunedin Ambulance Division was held last Tuesday evening, there being about 150 present. The superintendent, Mr E. Fiawn, ■ extended a welcome to those present, and also spoke of the way the membership of the division had increased during the year. There were 25 members in February, and now the membership is 52. He also thanked those who had given so much of their time for public duty. Certain members were on duty five nights each week at for transport work; one man in particular during the last 12 months had put in over 2,000 hours, while the total for the whole division was 3,490 hours. At a suitable interval Mrs J. C. White presented the miniatures of the J. C. White Cup to tho four members who were leading for the year. Prior to supper the opportunity was taken to present Superintendent E. Fiawn with a suitably inscribed ink stand. Mr Fryer spoke of tho excellent work Mr Fiawn had done for the division, and expressed the wish that he would be able to continue to do the work. Superintendent Fiawn in reply thanked the members for their gift and expressed appreciation of tho work done by members. SCHOOL OF INSTRUCTION. The various classes have now con-

eluded for the year. The examination papers are now being marked, and the results will be published shortly. A social will bo held in- January, when the certificates gained by members will be presented..