ASSISTING THE POOR

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7140, 30 May 1910, Page 8

ASSISTING THE POOR

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION. TRIBUTE BY THE GOVERNOR. < PUESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH, May 29. Mr Gow, president of St. John Ambulance Association in New Zealand, presented certificates won by local, candidates last night. An address from four centres was presented to his Excellency the Governor. In reply Lord Piunket said the Order ■of St. John of Jerusalem in England was watching the rapid progress of Iho ambulance branch in the Dominion with pride and satisfaction, and bo believed no was correct in stating that in no part .of the Empire was the association so much in evidence or doing oetter work than in New Zeaiasd. He thanked the association sincerely for its good Wishes, and he trusted that additional prosperity and a wider sphere of usefulness might bo the lot of the association in the city and throughout New Zealand. He appreciated - the thoughtfulness which prompted the different centres o: the association to unite in presenting him wit ban address before he left New Zealand. He had taken a very deep interest in the association out here! and it had always been to him a source of pride to realise from year to year hew tho branches were advancing In usefulness. It was naturally a very great satisfaction to him before he went away to realise that the different centres had appreciated the interest he had taken. It would be an excellent thing to attempt to follow the Wellington branch of the .association. A lady there, Mrs Rhodes, had done absolute wonders in the work of the nursing- branch, and she had been, assisted by a committee full of the tame enthusiasm as herself. Two nurses and sometimes three were working there among the poor, and were doing work that was bringing great honour to the association. He would like if it wore possible that every branch of the association throughout New Zealand should- hare one or two nurses at'tacheo to it doing somewhat similar work. He knew that in some places other associations were carrying out practically tin ■same work, and, he would not for a moment suggest any interference with other associations. Wherever it was possible to assist the sick poor as was being done in Wellington that should be part of the work of the association in every district. He did not for one moment want to discredit the excellent work tho branches were already doing in the way of giving first aid and other lectures and issuing certificates to qualified candidates. He had signed a large number of the association's certificates, and he really did think that tho Christchurch branch had during the last year or so given him more to sign that the. whole of New Zealand put together. (Applause).