AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20603, 30 June 1930, Page 10

AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

ST. JOHN ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL CHURCH PARADE. "The St. John Ambulance Association belongs to one of the oldest orders of chivalry in the world to-day," said tho Rev. G. E. Moreton, chaplain of the Venerablo Order of St. John of Jerusalem, at the annual church parade of the Auckland and adjoining divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, held in St. Mary's Cathedral yesterday afternoon. The parade, in which 160 of all ranks took part, was under the command of Mr. C. J. Tunks, a knight of grace of the order. Sir George Fowlds, knight of grace, was also present. The parade, which marched from Newmarket to the cathedral, was preceded by the Ponsonby Boys' Band. The history of tho order was traced by Mr. Moreton, who said that in 1099, when the Crusaders seized Jerusalem, a company of "Poor Brethren of tho Hospital of St. John" had been formed to maintain a hospital for tho sick and suffering. The order thus formed grew stronger, until it became one of the most powerful military organisations of the times. An English chartor was granted in 1883 by Queen Victoria, and the Grand Priory of the order in tho British Realm was established. The first hospital established in New Zealand was opened by BisHop Selwyn in 1845, and patients in that hospital were attended by brethren and sisters of the Order of St. John. "The voluntary service of the order, done to alleviate human suffering, is an outstanding example of Christian chivalry," concluded Mr. Moreton. "The public owes the St, John Association a great debt of gratitude."