The Timaru Herald TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1926. ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 4 May 1926, Page 6

The Timaru Herald TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1926. ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

Ono of the most useful yob least appreciated local ■ organisations uuosteutatiously ' muloiing 'invaluable community service, is [ the St. John Ambulance Association—an organisation which i “carries on” away from the • spot light of the public view, satisfied only if by its. splendid public service it cam live up> to the' lofty .idealism of its npblo charter. S<} much is taken for granted in these scurrying days, that the unthinking public often regards ambulance work as an accepted port of civic’ affairs', and little thought is given to the .self-sacrificing efforts of the members of the Association in the faithful discharge of a self-imposed sendee rendered to the public. Unquestionably the work being carried on by the St. John Ambulance Association in South Canterbury should appeal to every member of the community. . The eight pointed star —the emblem of the Association’s humanitarian activities—typifiosi all that is best, in human endeavour; it should stir afresh the vicarious instinct's of all sections of the community, arid arouse enthusiastic public interest in the work of the Association. The daily toll of accidents of various kinds which calls for the attention of local authorities, emphasises most pronouncedly the need of an organisation such as the St. John Ambulance Association. Unfortunately, however, the work of “carrying on” the •Association has been left, to a small band of self-sacrificing citizens who. courageously battle' through year 1 after year despite the appalling- apathy of the community and the amazing unconcern of the j-oung members of the 'people who neglect to avail themselves of the splendid facilities provided by the Association for instruction in first aid to the injured, and in general ambulance work. The frequency of accidents of a more or less serious nature serves as a reminder to the public that there should be an organisation in every progressive community to alleviate suffering and render aid to file injured. Last year the Asooiation attended 152 cases of injury, while in 300 cases first aid was rendered. Public functions and gatherings of the people, were attended and aid and relief afforded to victims of accidents and to sufferers from indispositiqn. Then there is tliei educational side of the Association’s activities. But with one or two exceptions these duties are being carried on by members of the Ambulance Brigade a ; nd the Nursing- Division. This is a departure from the ordinary procedure. The educational work is primarily that phase of the Association’s activities which should ho .undertaken by a. citizens’ committee. Hence the officers of the Association hope that at the annual meeting to be held this evoking, a committee of representative citizens will be appointed to further the work of the Association and widen and deepen the scope of its activities. During the year just closed, ono phase of the educational work of the- Association was distinctly discouraging. The classes of instruction were poorly attended and comparatively little interest was shown by the people Loth in town and country in the nursingclasses and the. courses of inatruction- But the standard of efficiency gained by the members of the local Association lias not been lowered during the year, several notable successes haA r ing- been gained by local ambulance and mu-sing teams in competition with the pick of New Zealand, in Timaru and at the Dunedin Exhibition. It is hoped, however, that an intensified public interest will he taken m the highly commendable comniuuity service rendered by the St. John Ambulance, ami that there will be created that closer co-ppeiutLqn between public spirited citizens who appreciate the very fine work a devoted band of enthusiasts have carried on despite apparent apathy on the part, of some of the people., and failure to appreciat'd the community service of ambulance men and women at its full value.