ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 98, 25 March 1942, Page 6

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Lust year was one of considerable activity for St. John Ambulance Brigade in iS’cw Zealand. In liis annua! report, Colonel Barclay, the Chief Commissioner for the Dominion, states that, notwithstanding the heavy demands upon members through the war conditions, the usual civil activities were not allowed to suffer in any way. The membership, which stood at 8414 a vear ago, lias now attained to 11.230. Nine f v-six new divisions and sections were formed, which constitutes a record for any one year. Over one thousand of the inale personnel have enlisted in the armed forces and many more arc expected to follow in the near future. Voluntary aid training lias been energetically carried out, and a good many of the V.A. s arc serving in hospitals, camps, etc., in the Dominion and overseas. The number of services performed by members amounted to 120,959. Insiruction was continued in AiR.P. work and a large number of certificates issued. The organisation's roll of those who volunteer for blood transfusion has also become a large one. The brigade plays an important part in the medical and health section of the Emergency Precautions Service. Tho cadet branch o( the brigade has shown a wonderful development, and a large number of primary and secondary schools have organised divisions.