AMBULANCE DEDICATED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21641, 6 November 1933, Page 11

AMBULANCE DEDICATED

CEREMONY BY ARCHBISHOP HUMANE WORK PRAISED EFFICIENCY OF THE SERVICE The dedication by Archbishop Averill on Saturday of the new motor-ambu-lance presented to the Auckland Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association by Mr. F. C. Mappin, of Mountain Road, Epsom, had the distinction of being the first ceremony of its kind performed in connection with an ambulance in the Southern Hemisphere. Owing to rain the ceremony took place in the Drill Hall instead of C'arlaw Park, 2.'io members of the brigade, including ambulance, nursing and cadet divisions, participating. Among them were units from Waihi and Tauranga. Standing beside * Mr. Mappin's fine gift, Archbishop Averill, who is subprelate of the Order, prayed for the ambulance work of the brigade, for the doctors, nurses and ambulance workers and for the Order's 'benefactors, who, through their generosity, had enabled a beneficent work to be carried on in the interest of mankind and thus lighten the burden of the wounded, the sick and the suffering. "To the honour and glory of God," said the archbishop, "we dedicate this ambulance for the greater comfort and relief of suffering humanity. May Thy blessing rest upon all those who shall serve with it and upon those who shall experience its benefits. May it accomplish its errands of mercy with perfect safety, long to fulfil the gracious purpose of its donor."

His Grace added that Auckland could pride itself upon the efficiency of its ambulance service. They had all read with interest of the many difficult journeys undertaken by the ambulance so frequently and at such short notice. As one closely associated with the great Order of charity, the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, it was a great pleasure and joy to him to know that its work in Auckland was being carried out with such conspicuous success. Archbishop Averill was attended by Archdeacon Simkin and the Rev. G. E. Moreton, chaplain of the Order, and was accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel G. Barclay, chief commissioner for the Order in Xew Zealand; Mr. C. J. Tunks, district commissioner; Mr. F. J. Hutchinson, assistant-district commissioner; Mr. A. W. Probert, district superintendent; and Dr. Xeil McDougall, district surgeon. Among the many visitors was Mr. William .Rattray, the veteran secretary of the Auckland Centre.

After the dedication ceremony the members of the brigade were inspected by Lieutenant-Colonel Barclay, who took the salute during the march past. The parade was under the command of Mr. C. W. Gooderham, corps superintendent, who was assisted by Messrs. C. Lindesay, R. K. Crawford and G. T. Paterson, corps officers. Music was provided by the Mount Eden Boys' Band.

In congratulating the brigade members after the parade, LieutenantColonel Barclay said great progress had been made by the Auckland brigade in recent years and it had now attained a very high standard of efficiency.