BLUFF NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22423, 10 September 1934, Page 12

BLUFF NOTES

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

(From Our Correspondent.)

On Saturday evening an interesting function took place in the Athenaeum Hall, when members of the Nursing Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade combined with the men’s division in giving a demonstration of the various forms of first aid work. There was a large attendance of members, relatives and friends. The lady superintendent, Mrs J. I. Robertson, presided, with her on the platform being his Worship the Mayor of Bluff (Mr T. F. Doyle), the Southland district superintendent (Mr J. Bell), Mrs D. E. S. Mason (secretary of the local division) and Mr Mouat (superintendent of the men’s division). Mrs Robertson apologized for the unavoidable absence of Mr M. Hutton (who had acted as supervisor at the recent examinations) and in welcoming the gathering expressed appreciation, on behalf of the brigade, of the presence of those on the platform. The idea of the gathering was to let the public see what was being done in first aid work, Mrs Robertson continued. Although the slogan of the brigade was “Deeds, not words,” such a demonstration was necessary, as it was desirable to have the hearty co-operation of the public in advancing first aid work. The speaker paid tributes to Sister Kerr, who had come from Invercargill at great personal inconvenience to give extra lectures to the nursing division, to the secretary and to the first lady officer (Mrs T. Penniall), to whom the success achieved by the division was due in a large measure. Mrs Robertson then asked Mr Bell to take the chair.

Mr Bell said that the co-operation of the Mayor (Mr Doyle) had been of great assistance in forming the local brigade. From the start he had given the proposed formation of the branch a good “leg up” by his cordial attitude to members of the district staff at the first meeting in Bluff. With the Mayor of the town entirely sympathetic the battle was half won; and since then Mr Doyle had loyally carried out the promises then made. It was pleasing to notice that local bodies had assisted the brigade financially, thus showing appreciation of the good work done by the Bluff branch, which was only one of many throughout the world—each carrying out its duties quietly and efficiently. It was also pleasing _ to know that in the recent examinations in connection with the nursing division all the Bluff candidates had passed. The examining doctor stated that the work showed a very high standard of efficiency and was of an even nature throughout. It was a remarkable performance on the part of Sister , Kerr and the local officers responsible, to get all candidates through. Continuing, Mr Bell gave some interesting facts concerning St. John Ambulance activities in the Dominion and abroad. Information lately published by Colonel G. Barclay, Chief Commissioner for New Zealand of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas, showed that, on one recent Saturday afternoon nearly 300 sports grounds in New Zealand were staffed by brigade divisions, 570 members of ambulance and nursing divisions, with 80 assisting cadets being on duty, and 1150 cases (the majority of a minor nature, but some of a more serious kind) were attended to. The brigade’s operations were yearly growing in scope. , Mr Mouat congratulated the men s division on the progress shown and said that this was in no small measure due to having a very worthy first officer in Mr E. White who gave splendid service in the interests of the division. The latter had come on remarkably well and its members were qualified to render skilled aid in any case of accident in Bluff.

Mr Doyle warmly congratulated the nursing division on obtaining a hundred per cent, in the number of passes at the examinations, remarking that the result was a credit to all concerned. Regarding financial assistance, his Worship continued, he felt that the brigade would find the public of Bluff an openhearted people in a good cause and the fact that local bodies were contributing was an evidence of this. The brigade was doing fine work and filled a particularly useful and important place in an industrial centre such as Bluff, where over a period of years many accidents of a serious nature had occurred. Bluff was a fairly long way from Invercargill and therefore skilled first aid was most essential in order to relieve a patient’s sufferings and expedite his recovery. The members of the brigade were therefore deserving of the public’s thanks. Personally, Mr Doyle said, he thought the Government should be more generous in its treatment of the order. If the brigades and associations were not functioning the Government would certainly have to undertake work of a similar nature and this would involve a heavy expenditure. His Worship concluded by stating that he would do all in his power to assist on future occasions. An interesting -demonstration of first aid work followed, exhibitions of bandaging being given by members as follows: Capaline bandaging, Mrs 'T. Penniall and Miss K. Bradshaw; double breast bandaging, Mrs D. E. S. Mason and Miss R. Hunter; broken collarbone, Mrs J. Shaw and Miss I. Wiig; shoulder, Mrs O. Lindquist and Miss Lindsay; reverse spiral leg bandage, Miss D. M. Lovett and Miss Perkins; finger bandaging, Mrs G. Applegarth and Miss Barker. Mrs Mason also gave a demonstration, of poultice making. In the men’s division equal skill was shown in exhibitions of stretcher work, under the supervision of Mr Mouat, by Messrs White,- Barford, Penniall, Ladbrook and Howes; and in bandaging for fractured femur, jaw, elbow and knee bones by the members and Messrs Gillooly, Boberg, Wixon and others. Artificial respiration was also explained and demonstrated by Messrs Wixon and Boberg. On conclusion of the first aid work Mr Bell thanked the demonstrators, remarking that from the efficiency shown it was easy to see why Bluff stood so high in the matter of passes. He expressed himself as very pleased at the standard of the brigade. . A social hour followed during which the song “A Thrush at Eve” and several Maori numbers were sung by Miss K. Bradshaw, while other vocal items were given by Messrs Wixon, Penniall and H. H. Moss. Miss Lovett acted as accompaniste. Supper followed and then a dance was held, Miss Bradshaw providing the music, while Mr Moss was M.C.