ANNUAL REPORT

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLI, Issue 20440, 10 June 1936, Page 13

ANNUAL REPORT

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION A STRENUOUS YEAR A strenuous but reasonably successful year is reviewed in the tenth annual report of the South Canterbury Centre of the St John Ambulance Association which stated that there were signs, however, of a quickening of interest, by the public generally, more particularly in the districts where units of the Women’s Institute had been established. In these districts, talks on the value of a knowledge of first aid to the injured, and also of home nursing, had been greatly appreciated, and were stimulating a desire for the formation of classes where sufficient numbers were available. There was a dearth of candidates offering for the classes in first aid and home nursing, with the result that only two classes were held for first aid, one for men and one for women, and one home nursing class for women. First aid certificates were gained by 20 women and 16 men, and home nursing certificates by 14 women. In addition, efficiency awards were made to 27 ambulance sisters and 22 ambulance men for passing the annual re-examination. Publicity. The articles appearing in the newspapers from time to time have proved valuable in keeping the work of the Association and Brigade before the public. At every public function it was accepted as a matter of course that the Ambulance men and Ambulance sisters should be in evidence; but what the public generally did not realise was that all this work was done voluntarily, and not for monetary reward; and that uniforms and first aid requisites were a continual expense to the Association. The Committee looked forward with hope that in the year ahead the voluntary work of the members would receive more generous appreciation by the public, and particularly by those bodies to which special services were rendered.

The report went on to state that during the year the invalid transport service was brought under the license of the Transport Board, and the particular area allotted to the Centre was from the Rangitata River in the north to the Waitaki River in the south. This had now been amended to cover cases beyond these boundaries. This service under the direction of Transport Officer H. A. Toneycliffe, continued to function satisfactorily and without any undue delays, though up to the present lack of finance had prevented them from employing a permanent driver. During the year a large size photograph of the late Mr Edgar Jones (first president of the South Canterbury Centre) was presented to the Association by Mrs Jones and family. The late Mr Jones was a generous benefactor to the work, and one of his many gifts was the ambulance van at present in use. The thanks of the Association were cordially extended to all those who had helped in any way to further the work of the Centre, and particularly to the officers and members of St John Ambulance Brigade, for the many hours of devoted service rendered voluntarily to the sick and injured of the community. Special thanks and praise were due to Mrs H. A. Toneycliffe, who for the past six years had sacrificed a consß’ ‘".ble amount of leisure in order emain indoors for the purpose of swering telephone calls for the ambulance transport service.

The Committee also wished to thank Messrs F. G. M. Raymond, George Johnston, A. C. Mclnnes, V. Pike, the honorary medical staff, Drs Ussher, King, Kingston, McKenzie, Fea, Fraser and Ulrich, of Timaru; Dr A. S. Mclnnes, Temuka and Dr P. Benham, Pleasant Point; and Matron Lindsay and Sister Pryor, of the Hospital staff. Ambulance Department. In his annual report on the work of the Brigade in South Canterbury, the district officer Mr J. M. Dunne, stated that the work was being maintained at a high standard of efficiency and the members of both ambulance and nursing divisions were to be commended for their enthusiasm. During the year two new divisions, Timaru North Nursing Division and Timaru Railway Ambulance Division were formed. A cadet nursing division was also formed to the Timaru North Division. The Toneycliffe Cup, presented by Transport Officer H. A. Toneycliffe for quarterly competitions between ambulance squads had proved a very fine stimulus in the maintenance of squad efficiency. The Canterbury District and the Inter-District annual competitions were held in Timaru on Labour Day, and from every point of view were a great success. In all, twenty ambulance teams and nine nursing teams competed, and the trophies were well distributed. A pleasing feature of the competitions was the splendid perform ances by teams from recently-formed Divisions. The South Canterbury SubDistrict competitions were held in the Gardens on December 14, and the general standard of work was satisfactory. The following resume of the years’ work was a striking testimony to the unselfish service rendered to the community by the ambulance men and women:—Patients transported 235; hours in attendance 483; members in attendance 543; attendances on public duty 171; cases attended on public duty 511; cases attended not on public duty 1207; mileage covered by van 3312. The report stated that it was with deep regret the retirement was received of District Superintend?^ 4- W. Smith, whose active work in the Brigade covered ' period of twnnfy-thvee years. The district officer wished to thank all officers and members for their loyal support and co-operation during the year.