ST JOHN AMBULANCE COMMITTEE MEETS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18465, 17 May 1928, Page 10

ST JOHN AMBULANCE COMMITTEE MEETS.

The General Committee of the Canterbury and West Coast Centre of the St John Ambulance Association met last evening; present—Mr J. A. Flesher (chairman). Mesdames 11. 11. Smith and S. A. Watkins, Messrs W. T. Churchward and 11. L. Bowker, Lieu-tenant-Colonel F. B. Creswell and Dr M. G. Louisson. The secretary reported that the gross receipts to date in connection with the annual appeal amounted to £519 6s lOd. The chairman said it looked as though the response would be qfiite as good as a year ago when all subscriptions which were usually received came to hand. The North Canterbury Hospital Board notified 'that it had voted the sum of £125 for the association, subject to the approval of the Minister of Health. With reference to a complaint that on the evening of April 7, when an ambulance was called to remove a patient, there was no light in -it to enable the attendants to see the patient, although it was a very dark night, and also that there was an offensive odour from the blankets, the secretary reported that he had communicated with the Rink Taxis, Ltd., which had charge of the ambulance, regarding the matter. He had asked that an electric light bulb should always be carried fixed to the point in the ceiling of the ambulance, and also that a spare bulb be carried in case of breakage. A reply had been received from the manager of the Rink Taxis stating that the battery had been charged, and by an oversight the inside lamp had not been connected. As soon as this was noticed it was put right and had since been operating. With regard to the offensive odour from the blankets, he stated that both of the ambulances had been recently painted inside and out, and since the painting there had been a strong smell of paint inside the ambulances when the doors were closed. This, together with the slight smell of disinfectant with which the cars were regularly washed out probably gaye rise to the complaint as the blankets were regularly changed and the smell could scarcely come from them. The explanation was accepted as being quite satisfactory.