ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 3

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

MEETING OF EXECUTIVE The executive of the St. John AmbuI lance Association held its first meeting lor I the year at headquarters on Monday evening. Mr H. L. Paterson, who was in the chair, made reference to the death of Ladv Ferguson, Dame of Grace of the Order of St. John, who, as a member of the local executive, president of the Women's War Committee and patroness of the nursing divisions of the brigade, had taken a deep interest in the various activities of the Order. Members stood in silence as a mark of respect. The chairman welcomed the following brigade representatives to the meeting::Messrs A. G. A. Swanson and H. H. Gilligan and Miss E. C. Steedman. The following officers were appointed for the ensuing year:—Chairman, Mr H. L. Paterson; deputy chairman, Mr H. Harris; treasurer, Mr A. McHutchon. The ambulance returns for the past three months were as follows: —Calls: December, 276; January, 201; February, 190, A total of 6666 miles was travelled during the three months. Sixty-seven accident calls were attended during the same period. Long-distance calls were received from Lawrence, Middlemarch, Milton, Allanton, Gore, Palmerston, Kelso and Seacliff. A report was received regarding the condition of the Humber ambulance, which it is now considered necessary to have replaced immediately. School of Instruction The School of Instruction Committee reported that classes in first aid and home nursing had commenced at headquarters, and the indications were that these classes would be very successful. A class in hygiene was to follow the home nursing class. Preliminary classes had also been commenced for the year. Mr W. G. Burns, who was last year appointed organiser of first aid instruction in the schools, attended the meeting and gave a comprehensive report of his work since the opening of the school year. In the majority of Dunedin schools first aid had been included in the syllabus for the year. Twenty-four primary schools were already working on the scheme. A supply of equipment had been left at each school, and the teachers had expressed their appreciation of the assistance afforded them. Classes were also commencing in the following secondary schools:—Otago Boys’ High School, Otago Girls’ High School, King's High School, McGlashan College and St. Philomena’s College. Thanks were due to the Otago Education Board for the supply of splints for use in the schools, and also to the board’s woodwork instructors for their assistance in finishing off these splinis. It was reported that during the past three months a total of 1493 visits had been paid by the district nurses. Fiftysix patients were visited during December, 56 in January and 52 in February. Forty new patients were attended during the period, and four deaths were recorded. Other reports showed that the Hospital hostess had carried out her regular duties. The Hospital Guild had continued to supply garments which had been given out as necessity arose. The recipients were very grateful for this assistance, which was made possible by the members of the guild. The motor circle of the Women’s Club had commenced work for the year, and hospital patients were again enjoying afternoon outings. Bequest to Association The financial statement, for the past three months was presented to the meeting and approved. It was reported that a letter had been received from Messrs Adams Bros., enclosing a cheque for the sum of £2OO from the estate of F. S. Staffan, to be devoted to the funds of the association in the Dunedin and Oamaru districts.

The thanks of' the executive was expressed for this generous bequest, which will materially assist the association in carrying out its work in Otago.