THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22520, 14 March 1935, Page 2

THE ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE

The members of the brigade in New Zealand will be pleased to know that Lady Galway, the wife of the GovernorGeneral Designate, is a Dame of Grace

of the Venerable Order of St. John and they will look forward to a continuation of that kindly interest and encouragement which they have at all times received at the hands of her Excellency Lady Bledisloe, who is also a Dame of Grace of the Order.

Mr Harry Hadlow Seed, who passed away at Wellington recently, did an immense amount of work for' the Order of St. John. In addition to being actively associated with the activities of the Wellington Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, Mr Seed was one of the earliest members of the Wellington Ambulance Division. He became divisional superintendent in 1900, and when the extension of the brigade warranted the formation of the divisions in and about Wellington into a separate brigade district, was appointed to the charge, with the rank of district chief superintendent, his status being raised to that of assistant commissioner in 1914, while he had charge of the Dominion headquarters for close upon five years. The chapter-general recognised his services _ by appointing him an honorary associate in 1903, and he was promoted to the rank of esquire in 1926, the latter grade beii.g changed by regulation to that of officer of the Order. During the visit of the Duka of Gloucester to the Dominion, 220 members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade were on duty, and 62 cases of first aid were dealt with; Wellington had 195 members out, who attended to 234 cases; Christchurch had some 380 members available, and they handled 96 cases; while Dunedin paraded 166 members and dealt with 150 cases.

It has been decided that the annual brigade cadet competition in Christchuieh will take place on Labour Day this year, and the officer in charge of cadets would welcome competing teams from other districts. Hospitality will be gladly extended by the local cadets to any visiting competitors, and an endeavour will be made to make their stay in Christchurch as pleasant as possible.

The chief commissioner has approved of the appointment of Mr William D. Pirrett to be corps officer in Dunedin. Reports indicate that most of the Ambulance and Nursing Division, together with cadets, have settled down to the year’s work. Most divisions still have vacancies for new members, and ladies and gentlemen holding the necessary qualifications or ex-members of St. John or St. Andrew’s ambulance associations or brigades, red cross societies and companies, naval, military and Air Force medical units and establishments, or other regular or volunteer medical forces of the Crown are invited to make application for membership. Cadet divisions are recruited from boys and girls attending primary and secondary schools. The humanitarian work should appeal to all with a desire to serve and a wish to forward the welfare of our nation. For further information apply Corps Superintendent J. C. White, 55 Cole street, Dunedin, or M. A. Peters, secretary to the association, headquarters, Moray place W., Dunedin, or any officer of the brigade.