Want New Ambulance, Living Accommodation

Northern Advocate, 14 March 1944, Page 5

Want New Ambulance, Living Accommodation

The division was finding it difficult to maintain permanent attendance of officers at the station, and the committee was considering the advisability of making suitable provision during the current year for the accommodation of living quarters for a married couple at the station in order to overcome the difficulty. This was stated iil a letter from the secretary of the citizens’ executive committee of the Whangarei branch of the St. John Ambulance Brigade when forwarding two copies of the balance sheet for the year ending September 30 last to the Whangarei Hospital Board today. The committee applied to the board for a_ subsidy of £250 towards the general cost of maintenance for the current year. The letter pointed out that the instalments required to meet, the cost of replacement of No. 2 Ambulance when financial terms were arranged for the purchase of a' suitable vehicle through the Commissioner of Supplies, would be communicated as negotiations proceeded. Included in the sinking fund reserve, etc. (£431) was £l2O contributed by the Whangaeri High School pupils for a memorial to the late Squadron-Leader Derek Ward, D.F.C. This item still awaits allocation, stated the report. ' Mr Younger said of the £250 subsidy by tbe board, £SO went to the ambulance replacement account. Vehicle From Army? The chairman. (Mr. J. A. S. Mac Kay): In view of the substantial balance in the bank, does it not appear to indicate the board is paying too much. For what is the subsidy required? Mr Younger said it was to provide married accommodation and a new ambulance. No. 2 ambulance was in a had condition. The brigade had been informed it could not get. a new ambulance and the only chance was to get one of the up-to-date army vehicles. One of the vehicles was not fit to drive and the other one was overworked. Unless another one was obtained a serious tragedy might restilt through lack of ambulances. The present male ambulance staff was working abnormally long hours. The lady drivers were doing splendid service during the day. Mr. J. C. McKay moved that the subsidy of £250 be granted. Ambulances were vital to country districts and the service must be maintained in an efficient condition. Seconding, Mr. A. Clarke said the board was receiving very good service. Mr. W. Jones; If tiffs board can do anything to facilitate the purchase of another ambulance it will be simply doing its job. I can say definitely that one of tlie ambulances is not fit for any woman to drive. Provision Last Year The chairman said in fairness to the board, it was only fair to comment that the board, in last year’s estimates, made provision for a new ambulance, and therefore had not failed in its duty. Mr. Younger said the Minister for Supply had informed tlie brigade at one stage that it may have a new ambulance and later, that it was not possible to get one. and then that one of the army ambulances might be obtained. The motion was carried. On the chairman’s motion it was decided that a request be made to the Health Department, and Minister for Supply for a new ambulance, pointing out that the present vehicles are insufficient to give the necessary service. Mr. Mac Kay referred to the great area covered by the present vehicles.