ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3818, 7 October 1936, Page 5

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

SOUTH AUCKLAND APPEAL FOR FUNDS. A meeting of the St. John Ambulance Committee was held in Hamilton last Tuesday night, Mr T. Parker presiding. The hon. organiser reported that the appeal for funds to erect a central ambulance station for the Waikato had been launched and arrangements were well in hand for a concentrated drive for funds from October 14th to October 28th. Subscription lists had been prepared and would be distributed to the principal business firms, Women’s Institutes and branches of the Women's Division of the Farmers’ Union in the district, which extends from Mercer to Te Te Kuiti and from the West Coast to Matamata, Tirau and Putaruru. The dairy farmers would be circularised on October 20th, and all local bodies within the area were to be approached for grants. The sports bodies in the district had already been circularised and had readily responded to the appeal. The desire of residents in the district to provide themselves with efficient first aid and ambulance services was evidenced by the fact that a number of donations, had already been received from persons who had not yet been circularised.

The proposed building could serve not only as a base from which to conduct an efficient ambulance service but also as a headquarters from which the affairs Of the association could be administered. Accommodation would also be provided for the drivers of the ambulances.

£4,000 was needed for the building, and while the sum was a large one the organiser expressed the opinion that it was not beyond the resources of , the district provided that all branches of the community were approached. The campaign for funds would be spread over the whole district to be covered by the new ambulance service, and application had been made to the Government for assistance.

The convener of the Ladies’ Committee, Mrs H. D. Cobb, reported that a meeting of the ladies’ committee had been held on Tuesday afternoon, and arrangements were well in hand for a house to house canvass to take plr-ce between the 14th and the 28th. The chairman expressed satisfaction with the progress that had been made, and said he felt sure the general public would readily assist to provide funds for an efficient ambulance service in keeping with the progress of the district.