VOLUNTEERING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2378, 19 December 1908, Page 5

VOLUNTEERING.

AN AMBULANCE CORPS FORMED.

For some time it has been the wish of those interested in local volunteer affairs to form a corps for ambulance instruction,, and the matter is now being pushed very energetically by Captain Beerc and Surgeon-Captain Schumacher. The object in view is to train men in such, a way as not only to make them able to render first aid to the injured, hut, to give them such knowledge as will enable them to assist in field-hospital work and alii that appertains to the duties of a field hospital corps. A certain amount of drill is, of course, necessary, and it is the intention of those who have the matter in hand* to form ,i. corps and to give instruction that will tend towards this end, as well as to make the members efficient in actual ambulance knowledge. In conneetioo with the formation of a ■corps of this description the Government regulations make it necessary that twenty-five men at least shall subscribe their names to the enrolment list. The corps then becomes so far an accomplished fact, that can immediately go into training. A •proper medical equipment may be applied for, avid those enrolled arc lectured to and drilled until they have a thorough knowledge of the pnodicines and instruments they will have to handle. Dr. Schumacher ■will conduct the lectures, and those willing to join should send their names to him or to Captain Beere, who 'will receive them at the weekly parade, held every Friday evening.

GISBORNE DEFENCE CADETS. At a special parade held last evening; the Defence Cadets, under Lieut. E. Somervell, were put through some useful work. After parade a meeting to elect a captain of the corps was held, when Quarter-master -Sergt. Zacliariah, of the East-Coast 'Mounted Rifles, was unanimously elected in place of Captain Cowan, resigned. The company during the past year has been making steady progress under the command °|, Lieut. E. Somervell,- assisted by Mr. L. Reward, the- hon. secretary of the corps No doubt the former will feci considerably relieved of many onerous (duties when the newly-elected captain’s appointment bus been approved The corps is to be congratulated on having secured the services of so energetic a, captain, and the bait work put in by Lieut. Somervell wall not liavo ibeen in 1X Dav tlie corps will bold a shooting competition on the Ivniti range. Shooting will coinmenco at U a.m. On New Year’s Day an enjoyable field dav, in,conjunction with the Gisborne Rifles, will be held. Particulars of this will bo intimated later. Members of the corps must appear in uniform on both these occasions,