ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 873, 23 November 1888, Page 12

ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

The ceremony of presenting tb e medals and certificates won fiy the second series of members of St. John’s Ambulance Association was performed by Lady Jervois at the Museum yesterday afternoon week. Sir. James Hector presided, and there were about 30 ladies present. Sir James Hector after expressing his pleasure at presiding on such an occasion, referred to the object of the meeting, remarking that, although the Association was a very ancient order, dating from the 11th century, it was not until about 16 years ago that it was reorganised in such a form as to meet modern requirements. In the olden days it was established for tlie purpose of attending", the sick and wounded during t)ie tiinq of war, but now it liad been extended to" myich ' more useful purposes. He entertained a VeiY strong opinion that the training which was giyen by the Association should be made a necessary part of school training, and not left eritirely to the Association! Referring to the last report of the Centre Society of Qreat Britain, he 'said it -\vas stated tfiat thq work done in Ne\v Zealand was spoken of in the highest terms. There were nearly 20.0 centres of the Society, and he pointed out that in Great Britain about 1000 Certificates were issued a month. Owing to the dafe of tfie last report not haying covered the period at which the Wellington society was ' formed, it was not included ip the returns, He then gave some particulars qf the formation of the Society in 1885, and of the work of last season, pointing out that Dr Mackenzie had tried to work up a class for men, which policemen and railway officials could join, and further efforts would be made in this direction next winter. In conclusion he expressed a hope that the Society would develop much more rapidly than it had. The medals and certificates w'ere tlien presented, by Lady Jervois, the list being as follows : Medals and certificates, Laura C. Barraud, Augusta W. Godfrey,’ Adelaide A. Dowdeswell, Eleanor Ellis Wilkinson, Alice L. Woodman, Clara Hoby, Mary Wade Rose, and Harriet Allen. First aid certificates —• Emma Tuersley, Amlie Barton Strachan, Janet Speed, Jessie Gray, Sarah Kate Playle,. Marianne Agnes Ludbrook; • Margaret Jane Bridson, Marianne Tasker, Frances

Charlotte Allen, Wilmot E. Rawson, Jean Morison. Certificates and vouchers for home nursing—Mary Wade Rose, Annie Barton Strachan, Marianne , Alien Tasker. Sarah Katie Playle; and Jeari Moiison: >' „ -

Lady JefVois said it gavb Her Very hiuefi pleasure to present the prizes, l but there was one drawback, and that was that : there were so few. ladies to receive them. She regretted that so little interest was taken ip the Society, as an instance of which she pointed out that at the last lecture there were only about 15 ladies present. The women of Wellington did not take enough interest in the Association, and the men took no interest at all, except the doctors. She alluded to the great benefit to be derived by belonging to the Society, and said that not only married womeii but girls should become members, for tho information they would obtain would be a great blessing in private households. In conclusion* she expressed a hope that there would be a great revival of interest in the Society. Dr Martin, while congratulating the recipients of prizes, expressed regret at the absence of the sterner sex, which seemed to him a terrible want of appreciation of the benefit to be derived from such a valuable society. How often did they read in the newspapers that “ before a medical man arrived the unfortunate man expired but he felt assured that as the Society progressed they would read that announcement less often. He agreed with Sir James Hector that some instruction, such as that given by the Society, should be given in the public schools. He believed that in the future everyone would possess more information' about their own anatomy, and how they lived, than was the case at present.’ He believed that policemen ought to know something of how to treat wounded men, for they were generally the first on the scene of an accident, and the same remark applied to railway officials. He hoped that the classes would be formed again next winter, and that much more interest wonld be shown in them.

Dr King moved a vote of thanks to the General Committee, and in doing so referred to the energy displayed by the ladies in the interests of the Society. With regard to the work done by members, it was exceedingly, good, and they had passed their examinations in a most creditable way. He was also of opinion that men should attend the classes, for from the nature of their avocations they were more likely to he in the way of accidents than ladies. . ' !, Mr J. C. Harris said that to him had been deputed the pleasurable task of proposing a vote of thanks to Lady Jervois for her beneficence in connection with the Association, and with qveyy work in the city she had put her hand tot, Before going any further. Hoover, he would like to observe that in the proceeds ings of tiiat afternoon they hqd taken a step ip what might fie termed the higliqr walks of women’s wqrk. They had taken steps in many pthqr social movements, and he felt that they wereon the vergeof an era when women would have to take a very much higher stand in life than they had", The struggles of man to form society, and his efforts in many other things, had been rendered absolutely nugatory, beoause they had nof elected woirien high enough fo help them. Women for ages past were the mere appendages of mancareful to gain his smiles, to .satisfy, him in minor matters, and give him the lead in all things—women .■ had thought they were performing their duties' in life, but it was not so. A greater light had been thrown upon them during the last decade, and he could see clearly that men and women were to labour side by side in the future. Great as had been the work done by woman, her work had been restricted, and she had been held back. He ’ Hoped '"fHafi 'the time would soon 'comp whep. woman wfipld perform her full share of wort im life, for he was certain that great good and happiness would be gained by it. Referring to Lady Jervois, he said the. good; she and hey family had done u* the district WOuM never bp forgotten, foy the effects of if. )iad permeated all sections of life —high and low, and their names would always be respected apd hpnoured. In conclusion, he expyesse.d his deep regref at Her departure. The motions were carried by tion, Lady Jervois proposed a vote of thanks to Sir James Heotor for his kindness in presiding at the meeting. She expressed a hope that at the next meeting of the Society there would he a greater number of recipients for honours. The meeting then terminated.