ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 7

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

BRIGADE NOTES “At Home” aitd Dance An enjoyable “at home” was held in the St. John Ambulance Hall on Tuesday night, when the certificates gained by the students at the ambulance school of instruction were presented. The assistant commissioner, Mr W. D. Pirrett, presided. The chairman stated that the function brought to a close the second term, which had been a successful one. A welcome was extended to the members of the Red Cross Society, there being about 60 present who had just recently completed the A.R.P. course. The president of the association. Mr T. Somerville, speaking on behalf of the association, said that he would like to express his appreciation to the directors and instructors at the school, the number of students attending this year had been exceptionally large. In these uncertain times it was the duty of all young people to qualify for some branch of national service and he hoped that present members would continue to carry on with this work in a worthy manner as had been done in the past. The certificates gainffd by members of the first aid classes were then presented by Mr A. McHutchon, chairman of the association’s Finance Committee, the home nursing certificates by Mr H. L. Paterson, and the air raid precautions certificates by Mr James A. Jenkins. All the speakers congratulated the successful students and the hope was expressed that they would join up with one of the various divisions and take their share in the work which the members of the brigade were doing. This concluded the formal portion of the proceedings, and the remainder of the evening was spent in dancing. Balclutha Division Members .of the Balclutha • Division visited Waiwera recently to attend a meeting convened by Mr E. B. Boyd. Superintendent E. V. Hughes, of Balclutha, spoke of the history of the St. John Ambulance Brigade and its objects. A demonstration of first aid was then given by the visitors. Afterwards it was decided to form a Waiwera branch of the brigade with the following officers:—President. Mr J. Clements; vice-president. Mrs C: Stewart; committee—Mesdames W. Jamieson. W. Sutherland. J. Bunberry. Messrs W Sutherland, E. Taylor and H. Pannet; secretary, Mr H. Roxburgh, It was decided to attend the lectures In Balclutha on Tuesday nights and to do the practical work at Waiwera. . A visit by a party of 12 members was made to Owaka on July 14 to attend a meeting arranged by Mr G. ChapmanCohen, who presided. After following a similar procedure to that taken at Waiwera the meeting decided to form a local branch. The following officers were elected:—President. Mr G. Chap-man-Cohen: vice-president. Mrs McCallan; secretary. Miss M. Cooper; committee—Misses Gall. Parker, Gourlev. Taylor. Messrs Ross. Stevens, and McGinnis. The meeting decided to arrange for local tuition in first aid. and arrangements were put in train to secure same. On the motion of Mrs Ross, a hearty vote of thanks to Superintendent E. V. Hughes and members of the Balclutha division was carried bv acclamation, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. During the current year the Balclutha Division has extended the work of the brigade to three country districts Clydevale. Waiwera, and Owaka. Much of the credit for this extension must go to Superintendent Hughes, while his unbounded enthusiasm for the work is helped by wholehearted co-operation of all members of the division. Hillside Ambulance Cadet Division The attendance of members has been excellent, and all are keen on the work , which they are doing. The

annual re-examination was held recently. when a very high standard of work was shown. Cadet L. K. White has been successful in gaining the grand prior’s badge, and members would like to congratulate him on Gaining this much-coveted award. Advantages of Membership The advantages of belonging to an organisation such as the St. John Ambulance Brigade (Overseas) are. briefly stated, as follows: — , (a) Ensures efficiency in first aid as each member must qualify in that subiect. and in the case of women in nursing also, in each year of membership. (b) Leads members to submit voluntarily to discipline. That this has a far-reaching effect for good upon men is evinced by the way in which large employers of labour encourage their employees to join the brigade and continue in it. X (c) Ensures to members the acquisition of a certain amount of drill which enables them to act and move with precision, thus avoiding unseemly haste and display in cases of great emergency. This gives the public and others confidence and often allays or prevents panic. (d) Entitles members to wear a distinctive uniform when on public duty so that they are readily distinguishable when their services are required. (e) Enables trained men and women to place themselves at the disposal of the general public, naval, military, and air force authorities in cases of national emergency.