Palmerston North Townswomen’s Guild

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 96, 26 April 1939, Page 10

Palmerston North Townswomen’s Guild

VENERABLE ORDER OF ST. JOHN The dullness of the weather out-of-doors only made the floral decorations in the Empire Hall the more vivid by contrast when the Palmerston North Townswomen’s Guild held tho monthly meeting on Monday afternoon. Many hued zinnias combined with bronze African marigolds and fuchsias to make a bright picture, the president’s table having an attractive centre-piece of lemon and flame cactus dahlias. Members were greeted at the door by Mesdames S. Toon and D. Evans. Mrs. A. E. Mansford presided over a good attendance, and welcomed those present, especially a number of new members. It was decided that the offices of secretary and treasurer be combined, Mrs. K. S. Manning being appointed to this position, with Mrs. C. Carruthers as assistant secretary. Mrs. E. W. Drake was appointed librarian, and Mrs. R. D. Spraggon was elected to the executive in place of Miss M. Cranston who had resigned. Circle reports were given by Mesdames S. Toon (arts and crafts), L. Nortliey (civics), S. J. Bradfield (drama), G. Lyue (gardening) and Manning (music). The correspondence, which was received, included an invitation to attend a meeting at the Y.W.C.A. with regard to forming a women’s gymnastic class; from Bournemouth Guild (England) with rogard to forming a pen-friendship with the Palmerston North Guild; a notification of the forthcoming chrysanthemum show; and communication from the New Zealand Consumers’ League. Members were reminded of a social function which was being arranged by the circles and would be held next month at the residence of the president. The speakers for the afternoon were Mesdames Barltrop and Gabe, of Wellington, who spoke on tho Commandry of tho Venerable Order of St. John. Members of the Order were found all over the world doing their useful work whenever required. When the Holy Sepulchre in Palestine was being visited by numbers of pilgrims in the third century, they were often ill-treated by the Turks, who were in possession of the country. A friend of the people founded a well-conducted hospital to care for these and other distressed and ailing people. This was St. John, and his followers were known as 1 ‘the poor brethren of St. John.” A set of statutes or laws was established then which was almost the same as that in use to-day. The same badge was used to-day as in those early times, the eight points of it representing the beatitudes. These had been slightly modified to suit present-day conditions. An ophthalmic hospital now conducted in Palestine had treated 2300 patients during the last year. Much of tho service there was given voluntarily by skilled workers. In olden days the men wore a white garment with a large red cross in times of war, and in times of peace black with a white cross was worn. Black and white were still the colours of the .order. In 1877, which was the year women joined in tho movement, a home was established in England by the brothers of St. John and in the same place was a church which had been founded in the 12th century by earlier followers of St. John.

In the present day, lectures were given by doctors with demonstrations being given by the nurses of the division.

Her brother having supervised the St. John’s division in Palmerston North for many years, the city had a special interest for Mrs. Barltrop. Wherever there was a crowd the St. John man or woman was to be found with his or her kit. Last year over 2300 cases had been attended on public duty in New Zealand. In England when there was a great shadow hanging over the country, members of the order were being organised in various sections that they might be of the best assistance in times of natonal emergency. Mrs. Baltrop concluded wth a plea to women to engage in a home-nursing course so that they could be of service to their fellows.

Mrs. Gaby spoke as a representative of the teaching section. She had been a member of the brigade for many years but was always learning something new. She related the part she had played in the Napier earthquake disaster and demonstrated a number of the most commonly used methods of bandaging. Thanks to Mesdames Gaby and Baltrop were conveyed by Mrs. Toon. Elocutionary numbers by Mrs. F. Whittaker were greatly enjoyed and vocal solos by Mr. J. Brown, accompanied by Mrs. 11. Pierard, were well received. Thanks to the performers were conveyed by Mrs. Mansford, members showing their appreciation by acclamation. New members welcomed were Mesdames T. G. Graham, E. G. Goodwin, H. A. Kettle, J. McGuinness, W. D. McJannet, O. L. Smith, Pilmer, B. Williams, Misses M. Harper, T. Bartlett, Johansen. The tea hostesses were Mesdames E. W. Drake, L. A. Northey and the helpers Mesdames E. M. King, J. Kennedy, F. Lucas, E. Lancaster, M. Louisson, F. J. Major, 11. Melville and Miss E. Lancaster.