EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21252, 4 August 1932, Page 11

EIGHTIETH BIRTHDAY

MR. WILLIAM RATTRAY ST. JOHN AMBULANCE WORK SECRETARY FOR 37 YEARS One of Auckland's most familiar and respected personalities, Mr. William Rattray, for 37 years honorary secretary of the Auckland centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, will celebrate his 80th birthday to-day. The centre was formed in 3892, only three years before Mr. Rattray's appointment as secretary, and ho has seen tho movement grow from the humblest beginnings to a large, wellequipped organisation, performing ono of the most important social services in a district which embraces almost one-half of the North Island. Born in London in 1852, Mr. Rattray arrived in Auckland with his parents in 1853. Mr. Rattray attended the school conducted by the Rev. John Gorrie, and later was a pupil at tho Auckland High School, the headmaster of which was Mr. Farquhar Macßao. On leaving school, Mr. Rattray entered his father's drapery business, which he carried on for some time after his father's

death. Later Mr. Rattray started in business as a house and land agent. He succeeded liis father on the committee of tho Auckland Infirmary, and was also a member of the Auckland City Council. Centre's Early Debts When Mr. Joseph Barber, first secretary of the Auckland centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, found himself unable to give the requisite time to the work, Mr. Rattray took over tho office, his appointment dating from August 23, 1895. He found the amount at credit- in the bank was only £l, and that accounts totalling £6O were owing, so his first task was to set the centre free of debt. When that object was accomplished, attention was turned to the raising of funds for the building of an ambulance station. Mr. Rattray was married in 1882, and Mrs. Rattray, whoso death occurred recently, also displayed a keen interest in the St. John Ambulance movement. She organised a street collection, believed to be the first held in Auckland, and nearly £SOO was raised. The amount was deposited in the Auckland Savings Bank. A collection in 1909 added a further £441, and a third appeal in 1910 realised £315. Aided by a Government subsidy of £2OO, the centre found itself in possession of £1722. Meantime the centre had procured a number of Ashford litters, or hand ambulances, which were placed on the wharves and in various stations in the city and suburbs for use in moving patients to hospital or to their homes. To-day tho centre maintains six motor ambulances, available every minute of the day and night. During a recent month they covered 4421 miles in response to 437 calls to transport patients. Rutland Street Lease When the building fund exceeded £2OOO, negotiations with the City Council resulted in tho centre being granted a lease for 50 years at an annual rental of one shilling of the section in Rutland Street, on which the four-storeyed ambulance station now stands. Meantime first-aid classes were formed in tho city, suburbs and country districts, and in 1920 the district nursing service was started in the interest of poor people who could not pay a trained nurse for the skilled attention they required. The growth of that branch of activity is shown by the fact that in June the nurses paid 671 visits and treated 247 outpatients. Owing to ill-health Mr. Rattray tendered his resignation as secretary in 1912. The resignation was accepted with regret, tributes being paid to Mr. Rattray's efficient organisation during a period of 17 years. Shortly afterward, however, the secretarial office again fell vacant and, as his health had improved, his offer to resume the position was gladly accepted. Mr. Rattray still holds office. It is his custom to walk from his home in Tarneß Road to his office in Rutland Street every morning. Hp. enjoys good health, except for tho effects of a motor-car accident three years ago. In 1929, Mr. Rattray was appointed a Commander of the Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem.