ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24636, 18 June 1941, Page 3

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE At the monthly meeting of the executive of the St. John Ambulance Association Dr A. R. Falconer presided in the absence of Mr H. L. Paterson. , ' , The chairman referred to the death of Mr William R. G. Mearns, S.B.St.J., who was the superintendent of the first division of the brigade formed overseas. Members stood in silence as a mark of reA ietter was received from the chairman of the Public Library, asking for books for military camps. It was resolved to give this appeal all possible support. Church Service In regard to St. John's Day church service, the secretary reported that, arrangements had been made for the service to be held at First Church on Sunday evening, June 22. The Rev. W. Allen Stevely would give the address, and the Rev. Dr Dickie, assistant chaplain of the Order, would assist at the service. Dr Falconer was appointed to represent the association on the Relief of Distress Sub-committee of the Evacuation Committee of the E.P.S. . t The ambulance returns showed that durr lng the month of May the four ambulances travelled 1071 miles in attending to 156 calls. The ambulance was summoned on 29 occasions to attend cases of sudden collapse or accidents. This was the greatest number of accident calls received in one month during the past two years, excepting last December, when 32 calls were received. Three race meetings were attended during the month, but the ambulance was only called out once and was n °The eC, School of Instruction Committee reported that classes had commenced at headquarters, 149 enrolling for instruction in first aid. 80 for home nursing and 30 for hygiene. Numerous classes had been held in country districts, and classes had also been organised in most of the schools in Dunedin. Hospital Work The hospital hostess reported that her work had been carried on regularly. Each day was fully occupied rendering various services, and in friendly chat endeavouring to explain away seeming difficulties, in all cases patients were grateful for the assistance made possible by the association. The illustrated papers and magazines sent in were helpful in the work and appreciated by the, patients. Parcels of warm clothing for distribution by the hospital hostess were received from the Hospital Sewing Guild. M**rM It was stated that the three district nurses continued their work amongst the sick and aged poor of the city During the month of May they paid 866 Visits to 49 patients. Three deaths were recorded and 21 new patients were added to the lists. The nurses were also grateful to the Hospital Sewing Guild and St. John Ladles' Sewing Guild for parcels of clothtne for distribution. Bank Balance Diminishing The financial statement for the past month was approved. Regret was pressed that the bank balance was diminishing each month. .....w „♦ Mrs D. S. Maclean renorted having attended, with Mr P. C. Wilkinson, ai function to bid farewell to Captain Berkeley, who had been in charge of all the medical boards and who had now received orders to proceed overseas. Captain Berkeley had requested that his thanks be conveyed to the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade for the splendid manner in which their members had assisted at all medical boards, '