St. John Ambulance Division.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13564, 1 December 1916, Page 5

St. John Ambulance Division.

BUSINESS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the St. John Ambulance Nursing Division was held in the Oxford Street Hall last night, Mrs Gill presiding. There was a large attendance of members and friends. ANNUAL REPORT.

The annual report stated: —"For the first half of this year the Nursing Division Tvas rather disorganised owing to lack of accommodation for the classes, but this difficulty was overcome by the erection of the new hall, which was officially opened by the Mayor on 2nd May.

FIRST AID & NURSING CLASSES. "These classes have been under the personal supervision of the Lady Superintendent, Mrs Gill. The very high standard of. work and excellent percentage of passes furnish ample proof of the untiring energy and the large amount of time she has devoted to this work. These classes need several nights a week, and Mrs Gill has given her time for the cause ungrudgingly. We cannot appreciate too highly her services in this respect and can only give her our heartiest thanks for the time she has so unselfishly given throughout the year in the interests of the Division. "Members of the Division have again been busy sending material and comforts home for the hospitals, several members giving one afternoon a week for this work. Letters expressing gratitude and thanks have been received from the St. J. A. B. Hospital, France. It is gratifying to know that the efficiency of the members is still being maintained. Sixteen members sat for the annual re-examina-tion and all passed well, twelve members also- qualifying for the medallion. There is a decrease in the membership this year of nine, owing to several having left the district, and the number of new members enrolled has not been sufficient to make up the deficiency. During the year 86 cases were privately nursed by members of 'the Division, while 20 first aid cases were attended by them. Certificates were presented by Mr Aitchison, at the inauguration of the new hall, to 38 successful candidates of first aid and nursing classes held the previous year. "The thanks of the Division are due to v the doctors, for the kindness in lecturing to and examining the various classes. Without them we should to a great extent, be at a standstill. Our thanks are specially due to Dr Bett, who is ready and willing to help us at any time. This year the annual inspection was held ahder Mr H. Hepworth, who expressed himself as well satisfied with the division and its work. The annual reexamination was conducted by-Dr Bett. The Division wish to thank the following for their kind donations:— Mesdames A. Strang, Pullyn and Mr Sill, Mr Hepworth for assistance to the Division, Mr Mitchell (auditor), and Bristol Piano Co. for use of piano. The balance this year shows a credit of £5 18s 3d.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. Mrs Gill said that they had no collections to help them in their work, their/own donations keeping them going. With but a balance of £5 they would have to do something to bring funds to the coffers. In touching upon the aims of the Guild, Mrs Gill considered that what to do in an emergency should be part of the school curriculum so that every child would have a' working knowledge of first aid. It was decided to cable the late secretary, Mrs Gilray (nee Collinson), congratulating her on the birth of a daughter. . Certificates of qualification to render first aid were awarded Laura Kendall, Katherine Lamb, Elvera Cunninghame, Irene Nairn, Sophia Kidd, Marian Aitken, Elizabeth Sim, Agnes Sim, Kate Knights, Florence Coles, Doris Pirand, M. Warburton, Gerda Anderson, Amy McKay, Dorice Hunt, Flora Matheson, Margaret Macauley, Clara Heine, Iris Hayward, Olive Allman, Mary McDonald, Edith MeEwen, Diaisy Donald and Violet Mardon. The certificates were presented by the Mayor (Mr J. A. Nash), The Mayor offered his congratulations to the certificate winners. The District Nursing Division had done remarkably well. They had been exceptionally fortunate in obtaining the services of Nurse Darling in place of Sister McLean, who was away on a hospital ship. As one old gentleman had remarked to him the other day/ "She is Darling by name and 'darling' by nature."-—(Laughter and applause.) Nurses were required at the war, and if more were wanted others from Palmerston -would be willing to go. He wished the Guild every success during the coming year. Mr Nash mentioned that in the beginning the Ambulance Association was really responsible for the inception of the district nurse work in Palmerston.

Thanks were accorded Mr Bennett for loan of a piano, and Mr Mitchell for auditing the boohs. A very enjoyable social evening was then spent, song, music and story making the time pass pleasantly. There were several competitions held, the principal one being won by Miss Allman.