ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Southland Times, Issue 20792, 5 June 1929, Page 3

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

INVERCARGILL CENTRE. SECOND ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association (Invercargill Centre) was held last evening, when Mr T. Hide presided over a fair attendance of members. The annual report was read aa follows: In all, five classes wore held last year, two local, one railway, one at Ohai and one home nursing. The total passes for the year were: First aid 33, advanced aid 19, medallions 6, bars 3, home nursing 10, total 71. Since the formation of the local centre the total number of passes is as follows: First aid 122, home nursing 18, advanced aid 25, .medallions 8, bars 3, total 176. The funds are in a satisfactory position, the credit at December 31 being £3O 9/2. Since then we have received £lO, being our proportion of last year’s Hospital Saturday collection. The Invercargill and Railway Divisions still continue to do gftod work. Twenty-eight public functions were attended during 1928 and 44 cases attended to. The motor ambulance is still controlled by the Invercargill Division and last year attended 199 calls. A new division has been formed at Ohai, and with the two divisions at present existing in Southland, everything possible is being done to assist at public functions. The Invercargill Nursing Division is a very live body, and under the able control' of their superintendent, Mrs Chapman, do good work. The meetings are well attended and the ladies’ class in first aid .was a very large one. In conclusion we would extend our thanks to the doctors for their lectures, and to the Press for the publicity they have given our work. A supplementary report from the Nursing Division was also presented and stated inter alia that 35 ladies had attended the' classes with commendable regularity. The women’s home nursing class was also well attended. At the examinations seven ladies gained medallions, nine qualified for first aid and 10 for home nursing certificates. Ten members of the division presented themselves for reexamination. Willing helpers collected £5B for the annual Hospital Saturday appeal and £75 was collected for Poppy Day. Gifts of clothing were given to those who suffered through the unemployment of last winter. A total of 54 cases comprised the work of the division--15 being first aid and 39 private home nursing. The president moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and in doing so spoke of the enthusiasm shown in the Ohai branch. The motion was seconded and carried. The resignation of. Miss E. D. Peterson, who is leaving for Christchurch, was accepted with deep regret, the president remarking that Miss Peterson had been a tower of strength to the association. The president said that several of their members had suffered bereavement since the. last meeting, and he moved a motion of sympathy to them. The motion was carried in the usual way. The president said that there were times when good things came along, and he was pleased to be able to inform those present that the Invercargill Savings Bank had offered to donate £2OO towards the building of more up-to-date meeting rooms. . They had looked with longing eyes at the empty section “next door” for a long time, and had often hoped that some good Samaritan would enable them to build on it. The bank's offer would give them a start, and he hoped that other public'spirited persons would come forward and help in a similar manner. A minute of appreciation was accorded the Invercargill Savings Bank. Medallions were presented to Miss Dora Hay, Miss Grace Perry, Miss Flora McDonald, and Mr George Conland. A bar was presented to Mr P. H. Morey. It was resolved that the ladies’ classes should be held on Tuesday evening, the first class to be held on June 18. Men’s classes were fixed to commence on Friday, June 21. Dr Gibson was appointed lecturer for the ladies’ classes and Dr William

Stewart for the men's classes. Mrs Chapman mentioned the arrangements made for the Anzac Day parade, and said that the Women's Division had not been directly invited and did not know where they were to go. The president said that the error probably arose through the outside public not understanding that there were two divisions. The invitation had been sent to the brigade and had been meant for both divisions. Better arrangements would be made before the next Anzac Day parade came round. The following office-bearers were elected: President, Mr T. Hide; vice-presidents, Sir Joseph Ward, the Hon. A. F. Hawke, his Worship the Mayor (Mr J. D. Campbell), Rev. J. A. Lush, Messrs Adam Hamilton, M.P., James Ward, A. Peterson, E. A. Jones, A. Steans, John Miller, R. J. Gilmour and J. D. Gilmore; committee, Mesdames Hide, Chapman, Aburn, Challis, McCurdy, Barham, Misses C. A. Brown and Featherstone, Messrs J. Bell, F. C. Barham, R. Thom, J. Cowan and C. W. Kerr; secretary and treasurer, G. Skipworth; hon. auditor, Air D. Cuthbertson. A minute of appreciation was accorded Mr Cuthbertson for his past services. The president said that they had just experienced a very successful year and he hoped that their success would continue. He hoped that they would be in a position to build a better meeting room before the next annual meeting, and wished all members success in their efforts during the coming year.