“FOR HUMANITY”

Northern Advocate, 28 October 1932, Page 8

“FOR HUMANITY”

ST. JOHN AM BUT. A NTT

ANNUAL DINNER

OUTSTANDTNG SUCCESS.

To state tliat the annual dinner of tlif Whangarei V.M.C.A. Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade at the Commercial Cafe last night was attended, by lit; people, is sufficient indication of the progress of the organisation locally and the high regard in which it is held by the public. The division superintendent, Dr S. H, Ward, presided. Order - Overseas, After the loyal observance, the first toast was that of “St. John Overseas,’’ proposed by His Worship Hie Mavor. Air Jones said that a great work was radiating from the Empire headquarters in London. He wondered whether the public gave charity of speech and thought in considering an organisation without which there would be a great deal more suffering throughout the world. Mr Jones congratulated the members on the show- ■ ing made at the parade that afternoon, | especially mentioning the young man who had been on trial for the rank of corporal. Replying, Commissioner C. J. Tanks said that he always enjoyed visits to Whangarei, because the more serious work of inspection was followed by most enjoyable social functions. The presence of so many leading nmn on such occasions was gratifying, because it showed the interest they tool-: in Die work which was being done bv the brigade. In Earliest Times. The commissioner proceeded to outline in a, most interesting manner the early history and growth of the order. The first Crusaders arrived at Jerusalem to find one Gerard in solo charge of a place of healing, and so were founded the “Poor Brothers ot Gt. John.’’ The headquarters moved from Jerusalem, to Acre, to Cyprus, to Borne and finally to Malta. After Napoleon’s visit to the Island in 17f)S, the Orcler was practically disbanded. English Experiences. In England the order was suppressed by King Henry VIIL, when that monarch took steps against the monasteries. Revival commenced in ISMI, and in IS 3 8 Queen Victoria granted a charter, renewed by subsequent monarchs under which the Ht. John Ambulance Brigade had carried on throughout the Empire. King George was the present head and Patron of the Empire order, of which the Dukrof Connaught was a- Grand Prior. When the King, recovering from his

recent serious illness, was to be removed to Bognor, he was transferred from his room to the ambulance, and from the ambulance to his quarters at Bognor, by members of the order. Everywhere throughout the Empire the brigade was adapting its work to the climate and the people it had to

labour among. Recently the assistant commissioner of the order in Hong Kong visited Auckland, and told how the -brigadesmon helped to chock an epidemic, of smallpox. The inhabitants did not take

kindly to vaccination —resembling the Maoris in this respect—and so Chinese members of the brigade., equipped with the necessary instruments, set np tables .it street earners, and the people eame to their own fellow nationals much readily than they would have - done to Fnropeans. » The War and After. | During' the war the brigade operated ■ ok all fronts, continued Mr Tunics, I and their specially manned hospital, I at Ktaples (pronounced Atarp) had the I distinction of being deliberately bomn--8 e.’ by the enemy. S The commissioner referred to the I celebrations held in London Lost vear

marking the centenary of the re-estab-lishment of the order in LugLaml, and said that Atrs Hill, of Whan'gacrei, who had a Itemized tvonld he able to speak much more interestingly on this subject. Satisfactory Parade. Comment on the parade that afternoon was made by Air Tunics, who said that members bad performed their A\ork. very well indeed. The individual mentioned by Mr .Tones had done splenj didly, and ho was sure would, bo a great help to his fellow officers in the .future. The object of both men.’’s ami women’s divisions was to live up to fhe motto o.V the order, which translated meant; "For the benefit ‘of mankind.’’ Such inspections as that of the alternoon and re-exam.iniifion-;

I designed Tor the groatost efdj eic.iiey, so tliill - , members might albvavs Im.- fitted to respond to Hut call. Kueu Members.

I’lie toast of ‘‘Tin l .Visitors.’ * was proposed by ..Or Ward, who said that (lie record at tendance showed lire iiflo.rest taken in the Wh.T.igarei division, ;r,ml Ilia! tin* work dune was noticed by the people of the town. The. keenness ot mem tiers was sliowji by the fact that, in order :o be present, one lady ol the nursing’ division had travelled I rom ICerikerV, one ambulance nun t tom Kaikoliei ami another from

Hiikereniii.’ A niong the idli or clients were the < 'on:ii’iissioner, Mr La ngstune, (>.('. Transport, aiid I>r (loodwin, who* liad underla k'.'ii (lie work previously i dene by Dr 'Costello of Dinning the • nursing division. I I Noble Work Praised, \

Colonel .1. \. .Met'arroll. who res- : ponded, said that, lie had first come in contact with Mr Tanks—a, man who lived for a mini Janee worl:—110 years before. Person; illy he had. found his early training i n this direction most useful. It was a splendid thing that

such tuition was available in the town. The provision of up-to-date ambulances was a. great facility, and, speaking as chairman of the Hospital Board, he could say that services rendered by the brigade were appreciated greatly. Two days previously he had come upon a convincing proof of the service offered by the brigade. On the way home he had come upon the scene of an accident, where a. man had been seriously injured. jThe prompt manner in which the ambulance turned out and conveyed the sufferer to hospital wa.s most creditable.

The report of the Economy Commis- -* siou indicated that hospital organisa- > tiou would soon be in the melting pot, > proceeded M.r H.eOarroll. He attributed consideration of reorganisation of ” hospitals as indicating that the service I which the St. .iohn Ainbulauce Brigade ■ could now offer was recognised. The possibilities of transporting sick people ■ over long distances' in perfect, comfort ■ would be a big factor in reorganisa- ! tion. Hr HeCarroll said that under i the good local staff there was no bettor '< organisation in the province than that ! of Whangarei, and he appealed io young people to link up in service, and to the public to appreciate the noble work which was being done. Other Toasts. Transport Officer, W. .McLeod, proI posed a. toast to the ‘‘Northern Wairoa. Division,-” three representatives ef which were present. Superintendent C. D. AVykes replied. Hon. Sergeant H. Stainton proposed the toast to “The Press,” Mr H. AY. Crawford responding. Superintendent Honoured. The final toast 1o “The Chairman” was sponsored -by .Mr H. W. Crawford. “We all regard Dr Ward as the creator and mainspring of the division,” said Hr Crawford. “As citizens we are proud of the local organisation, which is recognised as one of the finest. Dr Ward must lie a proud man in initialing it, and seeing it grow from strength to strength.” The toast was enthusiastically honoured. Dr Ward replied briefly. The Social Side. During the evening .Miss Jessie .McKay and Hr C. Taylor sang solos, and ' Air G. Tupp played a flute solo. Afterwards most of Hie company adjourned to t In* Brigade Ha 11, where a social was held. THE INSPECTION. A XUMBKPS OX BABADK. The parade state at the annual inspection yesterday afternoon was as follows: Ambulance n.c.o. 's and men under District Officer Dr. S. H. AVard and Ambulance, Officer X'. Fleming, -7: .nurses under ..Superintendent C. -X. Hill, I.”; cadet nurses, P; men cadets •under Cadet Instructor L. Bates, !•. Commissioner C. .1. Tanks commented highly upon the general turn-out and efficiency.

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