MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 18 April 1939, Page 2

MOTUEKA

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES FORMATION OF DIVISION l I'Tou* Uur Own rorrettpoiuletill | Last evening, in the Presyterian i Church Hall, 26 First Aid certificates were presented to the successful candidates by Mr F. W. Ward, Commissioner, St. John Ambulance, Wellington, who was present to assist with the formation of a St. John Ambulance Division at Motueka. Mr Ward, who is in charge of the Wellington district, which includes the j northern portion of the South Island ! ana the southern portion of the North I Island, with parts of Taranaki, was j welcomed by Lieutenant Selby Ben-I I netts of the Legion of Frontiersmen, who also expressed pleasure at having with them Ambulance Officer A. E. Eyles, Sergeant E. Pearce and Corporals A. S. G. Adam and L. W. Sherwood (Nelson St. John Ambulance Division). An apology was received from Mr F. Huggins, secretary, Nelson Association, who forwarded best wishes. RED CROSS AND ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ORGANISATIONS CONFER Members of the Committee of the Motueka Red Cross Society were present by arrangement to confer regarding the functions of the respective organisations of the Order of St. John and the N.Z. Red Cross Society. Mr Ward, in addressing the meeting, said he understood an organise! had been through the district and that a Red Cross Society had been formed. There were doubts as to the sphere ol activities of the organisations. Both could, he said, carry out very valuable services in the community. He had brought with him a copy of the agree ment entered into between the St. John Ambulance Association and the N.Z. Red Cross Society. A certain amount of overlapping had been taking place and the conference was held in order to corne to some understanding of the particular functions of each organisation. The Joint Council then set out the detailed activities of the Order of St. John and the Red Cross Society. Mr Ward, after reading the statement of the definite sphere* of work of each organisation said he was willing to answer an}' questions in regard to same. Mr C. A. Henderson (chairman of the Motueka Red Cross Society) said that the statement cleared up a number of points in question. It would be studied by members of thte Society. He was pleased to hear that joint classes could be held and thought that they could work together on the lines set out. ANTI-GAS DEFENCE In answer to a question by Mr Henderson regarding anti-gas defence, Mr Ward explained that the military authorities in Wellington were giving instruction to representatives, who would pass it on to the various organisations. Members of the St. John Ambulance were getting their instruction, from text books, suitable to pass on to the public. Army headquarters, he added, whilst going ahead and gaining knowledge was of the opinion that the likelihood of a concentrated air attack on New Zealand was practically negligible. He considered that they would be well advised to give their attention to First Aid and Home Nursing. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES Certificates were presented as follows:—Preliminary certificate: James Victor Hawkes; first aid certificates: N. H. Win, H. Doig, A. Clouston, Alan Stubbington, Theo. Kelling, Percy Rose, Victor Hawkes, Roger Win, Henry Rangi. David Kelly, Dudley Ford, Albyn Kelly, James Fraser, Robert Win, R. Selby Bennetts, J. T. Brough, Misses Isabel Win, Hazel Perry, Winifred Lennox, Sheila Win, Mabel Win, Annie Martin and Mrs J. Brough. All the candidates, who had entered for their first-aid certificates had passed. Dr A. R. Green had been instructor and the Divisional surgeons of the Nelson Association the examiners. REGISTRATION Mr Ward, after officially welcoming the formation of the Division of the Order of St. John in Motueka and remarking on the keenness displayed by those, who had obtained their first class certificates, explained the conditions of registration and 25 men present affixed their signatures. Ambulance Officer Eyles, after apologising for the absence of Divisional Superintendent Ashton, wished the Motueka Division the best of luck and assured members that the Nelson Division would be only too pleased to help them in any way. A previous attempt had, he said, been made to form a Division in Motueka without success, but on this occasion the right people had taken in hand the organising with very gratifying results.

An invitation was extended to Motueka to attend the display at Nelson on Saturday, when Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, of Dunedin, Head of the Order, Mr F. W. Ward, Commissioner, and other officials of the Wellington Association, would be present. Lieutenant Selby Bennetts thanked the Nelson party for coming over and helping in the formation of the Motueka Division.

Mr Ward said it was gratifying to see the work progressing and membership increasing; and he trusted a Sister Division would be formed at an early date. There was, he considered, no more likely channel of giving service than with the St. John Ambulance. Those, who joined must have a distinct love for the work and a keen desire to help their fellow men.

Mr Brough called for three cheers for the members of the Nelson Division in appreciation of the many kindnesses shown to Motueka.

Mr A. S. G. Adam, who spoke on behalf of the Nelson Association also expressed pleasure at a Division being formed in Motueka and wished members every success in the future.

At the conclusion of the business part of the meeting a tasty supper was dispensed by the ladies.