ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Star, Issue 23564, 1 May 1940, Page 2

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

BRIGADE NOTES Wesley Cadets. The girls are preparing for the annual re-examination, wliieh will take place in u few weeks’ time. As Lady Cadet Superintendent Miss L. MTvcrnau is unable to attend the divisional meetings, Ladv Ambulance Sister M'Neill is in charge Annual Report for 1939. Public duty has been efficiently carried out. each year seeing an increased number of functions to be provided for. The usual large-scale arrangements were necessary for the Otago and Southland football match, and successful road patrols were again maintained over 100 miles of highway before and after the fixture. The voluntary drivers have again continued their fine work, the total service running into several thousand hours. A women’s transport division will shortly be registered; each member must possess a first aid certificate and bo qualified to drive heavy ambulance cars. In connection with expansion work, visits have been paid to Owaka, Nasehy, and Outram, and other places have been contacted by correspondence. Units of the brigade are in the course of formation at Clydevale. Waiwera, Lovell’s Flat, and Owaka. An A.R.P. camp took place in February and was a great success, and during the year classes in this subject were held, 600 certificates being issued. Kaikorai Ambulance Division. The division is continuing to benefit from its meetings and lectures. During the last month three lectures were given, and one night was spent doing practical work. The divisional doctor. Dr J. A. Meade, delivered a lecture on the principles of_ first aid, and carried the members with him through the various stages in a manner which was more than equal to a refresher course. A further lecture by the doctor was_ on the subject of football injuries, which, being at the commencement of the football season, was appropriate in every respect. He explained at length likely injuries to be met with, and member's, paricularly new members, gained knowledge which will be of value for future ambulance duty at matches this season. One evening improvisation was indulged in. a miscellaneous collection of rope material, newspapers, boards, walking sticks being on hand, and members improvised for imaginary injuries, some members making a particularly good effort at certain imaginary fractures A further meeting was devoted to a lecture by Transport Officer W. Blazon tjre treatment of loading and unloading of patients to and from bed to the ambulance cars. Interesting practical work was done by squads with the stretchers, and under the guidance of Officer Black members gained valuable knowledge which will stand them in good stead, especially those taking part in transport duty on the ambulance cars. A large number of hours was spent bv members on transport duty during the past month. Hillside Ambulance Division. The fortnightly meeting took place in the social hall, Superintendent J. Penson presiding over a good attendance of members. A “ round table ” discussion took place on several affairs. Following this, the representative team from this division which competed at Auckland gave a demonstration of stretcher drill, after which, teams were selected sit random, and all _ members had an opportunity of practising this work. During the evening the division had a visit from Mr M'lnnes. officer in charge of ambulance work at Queenstown. Presentations were made by Mr W. W. Burridge, on behalf of members of the Auckland team, to Superintendent J. Penkon. Ambulance Officer P. M’Pherson. Mr M'Ewan, and Mr A. Corbett. The team owed its success mainly to these members, who did yeoman service in coaching. Ladies’ Sewing Guild. ' The annual meeting of the guild took place at headquarters, when 'there was an excellent attendance of members. The annual report, which was read by the secretary (Miss M. Watson), showed the past season to have been a' very busy one, 144 garments having been made by members and handed over to the district nurses for distribution amongst the sick poor in the citv and suburbs. In addition to this work the members had also given considerable time to assisting in the preparation of articles for the hospital equipment of troopships, and look _ forward to a continuance of work of this nature during the forthcoming season. Colonel G) Barclay, Chief Commissioner for New Zealand, congratulated the members upon the work accomplished _ and upon the esprit de corps which existed in the guild. The election of officers resulted: President. Mrs G. Barclay. O.St.J., F.P S.A.: viec-presidents. Mesdames R. W. Glendining and R. D. Archer: secretary. Miss M. Watson; assistant secretary, Mrs W. L. Portman : committee—Mesdames Sanderson, Simpson. Bowling, and Richardson.