ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20594, 19 June 1930, Page 9

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

YEAR'S VALUABLE WORK.

UNSELFISHNESS OF NURSES.

"TOUCH HEARTS OF THOUSANDS"

Tho valuable work carried on in the city by the St. John Ambulance Association, and particularly tho efficiency and unselfishness of the St. John nurses, received recognition at tho annual meeting of tho Auckland Centre last evening, when the certificates and medallions gained during the year were presented by the .Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, as president of tho centre, and the Mayoress, Mrs. A. D. Campbell. There were also on tho platform Mr. C. J. Tunks, district commissioner; Mr. F. J. Hutchinson, assistantcommissioner; the Rev. G. R Moroton, chaplain of the Order of St. John; Dr. R. Tracy Inglis, Dr. J. 11. IT. Wood and Dr. C. E. A. Coldicntt, tho corps surgeons

Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, details of which havo already been published, the Mayor, who presided, said the most notable event of the year was tho handsome donation of £5500 from tho trustees of tho Auckland Savings Bank, Tlio money had been dovoted to effecting additions and alterations to the ambulance buildings. The finances wero in a flourishing condition, the surplus of assets over liabilities amounting to £7099

Tribute to the Nurses. In August last a campaign to procure funds to carry on tho services netted £1645, which had been distributed among the different funds with beneficial effects. The ladies who did most of the work in the campaign deserved the highest praise. The transport officers had taken the ambulances a total of 14,228 miles during the year, going as far afield as Thames, and in one caso travelling to Warkworth over roads that were labelled impassable. In seconding the motion, Mr. C. J. Tunics paid., a tribute to the work of the nurses and read a letter received from the Dock Street Mission thanking the association for its work in Freeman's Bay. "If tha story of your wonderful nursing division were written it would touch the hearts and practical sympathy of thousands," stated the letter." "How can wo thank you for what you are doing for us in Freeman's Bay ? Wo wish wo could make a gift worthy of the grrat unselfish and Christ-liko work of the St John Ambulance. At our mission rooms every Monday evening two splendid and gracious women care for the little children and poor people who are so grateful for help. "The influence of these two ladies is simply wonderful. Our mission has felt it greatly, and wo are able to reach our people in a way we never could before " Tho letter went on to describe in glowing terms the useful work carried ou by tho nurses in private homes.

Tho report was adopted. Photographs for Centre.

A presentation of photographs was made to the centre by Mr. C, M. Rattray, in the absence of his father, Mr. William Rattray, the honorary secretary, who was unable to attend owing to illness. Thev included portraits, of- tho King,' who is the sovereign- head of the Grand Priory of the British Realm of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the Queen, arid the Dulco of Connaught, tha Grand Prior A portrait of .Mr. Rattray was presented by Mr. Hutchinson, who eulogised the great work accomplished by the secretary It was resolved to congratulate Sir A. S. Bankart, a vice-president, on his knighthood. Tha following officers wore, elected President, the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, vice-presidents, Lady Gunson, Dr. Hilda Northcroft, Mrs. A. M. Ferguson, Mrs J, B. Macfarlane, Archbishop Averill, Sir George Fowlds, Sir E. Mitchelson, Sir James Gunson, Sir A. S. Bankart, Dr 0. E. Magniro, Dr. C. E. A. Coldicutt, •Dr. N. McDougail, Dr. P. A. Lindsay. Mr. C. J, Tanks and Mr. M. A. Clark; chairman of the medical staff, Dr. P. A. Lindsay; chairman of committee, Mr. C. J. Tunka: deputy-chairman, Sir George Fowlds; committee. Dr. Dorothy Richards. Mesdainc-s T. H. Bassetfc. G. Cammeil, F J, Hutchinson, P. McGregor, W. Rattray and C. Smith, Misses E. Bull, M. Daw son, M. Edmiston, E. Fleming, E. M. Johnston and MacLeod, the Rev. C. A. B Watson. Hie Rev. R. G. Coats and Messrs. F. .T. Hutchinson. U. Hitchon, A. F Mackay. T. H. Maeky, A. W. Probert, F. E. Sehofield and Wesley Spragg; trustees. Messrs. C. J. Tunics, F. J. Hutchinson.and W. Rattray: honorary treasurer, Mr. F. J. Hutchinson: honorary auditor, Mr. G. IT. Fleming; honorary secretary, Mr, W. Rattray. After the presentation of certificates, medals and medallions, thanks were conveyed to the medical staff, the chairman and the Mayoress.

A collection taken up at the meeting amounted f.o £8 14s.