AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10104, 16 March 1911, Page 1

AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Canterbury and West Coast Centre of the St John Ambulance Association was held last evening. Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, vice-president, presided, and there was a large attendance of members. The annual report stated that during the past year Lord Plunket had vacated the position of New Zealand president of the Association and Lord Islington now held the position. Nine meetings of the general committee., fomerly called i}ie council, and seven meotings of the execxitive committee had been held at Christchurch. Twenty-seven classes of instruction in first aid and home nursing and hygiene, followed by examinations, had been held at Christchurch, Fendalton, New Brighton, Sydenham, Ashburton, Geraldine, Greymouth, Hokitika, Ross, Timaru, Waiau and Westport. It was satisfactory to know that a subcentre had been established at Timaru. The number of those who had attended courses of not fewer than four lectures was 568, compared with 754 the previous year. In several country districts attempts had been made to form classes without result, as it had been found impossible to enrol the number of members required. Several new depots of stretchers and first aid appliances had been established, and old ones had been brought up to date. The invalid transport service was giving satisfaction, and for the twelve months just ended 464 cases had been conveyed, against 396 in 1909. A number of invalids had been carried free of charge, and in other cases rebates had been made on the recommendation of doctors, clergymen and others. A conference of delegates, representing the four chief centres in New Zealand, had been held at Christchurch at Easter, when a number of ' important matters had been discussed. During the past year the services of six members of the Centre had been recognised by the Chapter of the Grand Pi'iory of the Order, and the following distinctions had been made:—Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, Knight of Grace; Mr A. S. Lindsay, Honorary Serving Brother; Lieuten-ant-Colonel W. Thomas, V.D., N.Z. M.C., and Captain H. M'Clelland Inglis, N.Z.M.C., Honorary Associates; Mrs J. G. S. Holmes and Miss Janet M. Rogers, the Vellum Vote of Thanks. The committee wished to place on record its thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who had efficiently performed the duties of committees and of secretaries of the various sub-centres and detached classes, and had assisted in various ways throughout the Centre; to the nursing sisters and other members of the St John Ambulance Brigade who had acted as demonstrators at classes; to the Press for the courtesy with which it had opened its columns to make known the philanthropic work of the-Association; to all who had given their services and material on the various collecting days throughout the Centre; and to all subscribers and donors.

The balance sheet showed that the income for the year had amounted to £865 13s lOd and the expenditure had been £767 18s, leaving a credit- balance of £97 15s lOd

The report and balance sheet were adopted. Tno following officers were elected : President, Lord Islington; vice-presi-dents, Bishop Julius, Bishop Grimes, the Mayor of ChristchurcJi,. the Rev-T. Tait, Dr Orchard and Mr A. E. G. Rhodes; committee, Mrs Pratt, Miss Pratt, Lieutenant-Colonel Creswell, Drs J. R. Thomas, Inglis, Louisson and W. Thomas, and Messrs A. R. Bloxam, H. J. Hoddinott, J. RWayward, W. Minson, J. D. Hall, A. Lutfcrell, J. Hay and A. J.-Colthart. The report of the St John Ambulance Brigade stated that during the past year the Brigade had been reorganised throughout the district and had been divided into sub-districts, which were redivided into areas. Each area had been placed in charge of an acting chief superintendent, _ whose duties, in addition to the oversight of the existing divisions, comprised, the establishment of new divisions. All divisions had been attached to the area corps, for the purpose of administration and efficiency. Mr Lindsay, the late district chief superintendent, having loft the dominion, the command of the district had been handed to Mr VV. W. M'Kinney, who, with Superintendent Wilson, had personally visited the Timaru divisions, and as a result these divisions had been reorganised. The Timaru men's division held pride of place of the divisions inspected, both in numerical strength and in the excellence of its work. The Kaiapoi division was the only division not inspected. The work of the West Coast divisions reflected jjreat credit on their new superintendent, Mr Grant. It was hardly fair to criticise the Christchurch division, as it had just passed through a very critical period. The Railway, Selwyn and Ashburton divisions were progressing favourably. The local divisions had held a successful bazaar, at which various ambulance competitions had been held. The report was adopted.