FINE PARADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22351, 24 February 1936, Page 10

FINE PARADE

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE COLONEL SLEEMAN'S TRIBUTE EFFICIENCY IN AUCKLAND " From the moment I arrived in the Auckland district I have seen nothing but efficiency," said Colonel J. L. Sleeman, chief commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, when addressing about 400 members of the Auckland divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade following a review at Carlaw Pr»rk on Saturday afternoon. Colonel Sleeman congratulated the members on their bearing, saying that the reputation of the Auckland divisions stood high at St. John's Gate, London. The Auckland headquarters, he added, were the finest he had seen in the British Empire. The parade was most impressive and was witnessed by many of the public. Brigade, nursing, cadet end cadet nursing divisions assembled in long lines in front of the grandstand and, after an inspection, they marched past a raised platform, where Colonel Sleeman took the salute. They then formed three sides of a square and were addressed by the chief commissioner. The high standard of the Auckland divisions reflected high credit not only on the officers concerned, said Colonel Sleeman, but also on the municipality, the general public and the press, which understood and appreciated the wcrk that was being done. Members of the brigade had always to hold themselves in readiness in the event of disaster. They who were more or less expert in the administration of first aid knew that there were few people who could do anything of real value in an emergency, and in many cases accident victims had to remain for long periods unattended, with consequent loss of blood and shock. Over 74,000 men and women throughout the British Empire were to-day, as members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, giving all their spare time for nothing, in the service of others, Colonel Sleeman said. Each year over 500,000 casualties were treated and about 500 lives were saved. " You have the honour to belong to the most ancient order of chivalry in the world," he added. Following his address Colonel Sleeman invested Mrs. E. McDowell and Miss M. E. Dawson as Serving Sisters of the Hospital of St. John in Jeru* salem. The posthumous award of Nursing Brother of the Hospital of St. John in Jerusalem was made to Superintendent W. Elliott, his son, Cadet Superintendent W. H. Elliott, receiving the honour. Other awards also were made. The investiture was held by special mandate from the Grand Prior of the Order, the Duke of Connaught. The officers present included Mr. C. J. Tunks, commissioner for the Auckland district; Mr. F. J. Hutchinson, assistant commissioner; Mr. A. W. Probert, district superintendent; Messrs. U. Hitchen, F. E. Schofield and C. W. Gooderham, district officers. Mr. C. E. A. Lindesay, corps superintendent, was in charge of the parade, and Mrs. E. Cammell, lady corps superintendent, commanded the nursing divisions. Mr. S. E. Langstone was staff officer.

At the conclusion several demonstrations of first aid were given.