SOUTH OTAGO MOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23880, 9 May 1941, Page 5

SOUTH OTAGO MOTES

[From Our Correspondent.] E.P.S. RALLY. A rally under the auspices of the organisations in the emergency precautions scheme was held at Balclutha last night. Prior to the public gathering in the Britannia Theatre a parade, headed by the Balclutha Pipe Baud, took place from the council chambers. The parade comprised members of the Balclutha, Benhar, and Stirling Ambulance Divisions (men and women), Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Fire Brigade, and Balcultha, Benhar, and Stirling Home Guard companies, over 200 taking part. In the hall the mayor (Mr J. R. Copland) presided, and, stated that the “ rally ” had been held' to stimulate interest in the Home Guard and St. John organisations. The programme which followed was of an interesting and instructive nature, comprising as it did demonstrations of bandaging, bed-making, and stretcher 'work by members of the Balclutha men’s and women’s divisions of St, John Ambulance, District Officer E. V. Hughes and Miss IWells being the commentators; physical drill demonstration by a squad of instructors from Dunedin Home Guard, introduced by Mr R. O. Johnson, physical drill instructor for Otago; rifle and bayonet drill by members of the National Reserve, Dunedin, under the leadership of Sergeant-major M’Knight; demonstration of weight lifting and accompanying exercises by a Dunedin party comprising Messrs D. Freeman, Alexander, Beveridge, and Johnston, with Mr Farquharson as commentator; and a talk and demonstration by Mr D. Lattimore and party on resuscitation. Colonel G. Barclay, 0.8. E., Chief Commissioner of St. John Ambulance, gave - a very interesting address on the history of the order and an outline of the work it was engaged in at the present time. He concluded by making an appeal to any interested to join one or other of the various classes, and made a particular request for volunteers for the cadet corps. He also made reference to the way in which the work of the order had extended in South Otago, and paid tribute to the very fine work done by District Officer Hughes. The Mayor extended thanks to the Dunedin visitors for the display given, and a very successful venture concluded with the National Anthem. As a result quite a few members were gained for the organisations concerned. 4 ST. JOHN AMBULANCE. The following members of the Milton Division passed their first aid examination held recently:—Mesdames O. M. Anicich, A. M. Duthie, C. C. Kane, and C. Potter, Misses G. M’Gregor and A. M. Smart, and Mr Don Mitchell (with honours), Mesdames A. Martin, R. I. Mackersey, and G. M. Gray, Misses M. E. Casey, E. M. Casey, and M. Casey, E. M. Baird, D, M. Halton, S, Xj. Logan, T. Park, A. E. Gray, and M. E. Marshall, and Mr J. E. Dent. A home nursing class was started at Milton this week with an attendance of 37 members. Miss Violet Stewart (Balclutha) is the lecturer for the course.