Formation Of St John Division In Kaikohe

Northern Advocate, 18 March 1948, Page 6

Formation Of St John Division In Kaikohe

KAIKOHE, Thu. (Sp.).—First step towards the formation of a division of the St John Ambulance Association in Kaikohe was taken at a public meeting called by the Mayor (Mr H. F. Guy) and held last evening in the borough council offices under his chairmanship.

Present was the Northland district superintendent of the association (Mr G. W. T. Green), who tendered advice and information.

Mr P. M. P. Williams, Kaikohe town representative on the Bay of Islands Hospital Board, said the board was buying a new ambulance, although its delivery date from Wellington was still uncertain. Mr S. Penney, of Kaikohe, ‘said he had a list of nine qualified St. John men who might be prepared to form the nucleus of a division. St. John was the oldest order of chivalry in the world, having been operating for more than 900 years, said Mr Green.

Kaikohe was luckier than most districts in having a hospital board that was a fairy godmother, doing more than any other hospital board in the North had ever done.

He made a suggestion that, should there he one or more masters at Northland College with the requisite qualifications, it would be a sound idea to have a cadet unit formed there, from which, as they reached the age of 17. adult members could be drawn.

The meeting decided 'to leave the matter of forming a Kaikohe division of St. John in the hands of Messrs Penney, Reoch and Attwood.

He spoke of formative ■ years in Whangarei, Dargaville and Kaitaia.