THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

West Coast Times, 17 March 1910, Page 4

THE ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

The Princess Theatre last night held a large number to witness the presentation of certificates to the various qualified members of the above Association. Dr Macandrew (Deputy-Mayor) presided, seated with him on the platform were his Excellency the Governor, the Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, T. E. Y. Soddon, Esq., M.P., T. AY. Bruce, Esq., Mayor of Ross, Dr Tcichelmann (Instructor), Rev. H. S. Leach and several other gentlemen. The Chairman, in a short and felicitious speech introduced His Excellency, who is President in New Zealand of the Association, concluding by asking their distinguished visitor to present the certificates to tiie local members.

Mr A. C. Grant, the loca IPresident of the Association, then introduced the different members to his Excellency, who presented to them the M-ell-earned honour.

Following the presentation by his Excellency the Hon. G. Fowlds, in a thoughtful speech, in which he landed the good work done by such associations, emphasised the absolute need of <<nch a body in the midst of a community like' that of Westland,where the nature of the works undertaken were of a risky order. He added his hearty congratulations and earnestly hoped that such bodies would be formed throughout the different centres of Westland. (Applause), His Excellency, who on rising was greeted very heartily by the large audience present, said that he was delighted to be present with them, but more so to be present at such ,a function as was being held that evening. Speaking generally, he was not an admirer qf amateurs in any profession, and rejatetj a .anept(f)te relative to the amateur staff of nurses sent to the front during the South African war In |he pifspnj. jnstaune, however, he felt that honour should be paid to those who gave their time and labour to further the cause of ‘the sick through accident, ant| he thought a special tribute was due to the doctors who gave so freely of their wide professional knowledge. He concluded by congratulating the members of the Association, Dr Teichelmann, their Instructor and the people of Hokitika on the formation of the Society, which he wished every success in the future. (Applause), Dr Teichelmann, in a few well chosen remarks, thanked his Excellency on behalf of the Association for his presence there that evening. He thought the local Society was the first formed on the West Coast and he hoped that ere long its membership would he largely increased. He concluded by thanking Mr and Mrs Cadzow for their assistance, the Municipal Band for their attendance and the members of the Ambulance Association for tiled’ interesting exhibition. ' During the evening Mrs Cadzow played several solos, and Mr Cadzow sung a number of songs in bis usual artistic manner, each of the items being particularly well received, as was the case with Mrs Cadzow’s numbers.

It should be stated that the stage was tastefully decorated and furnished.

His Excellency presented certificates to the following:—Messrs Capmpy, F. Thompson, W. Houston, A. McDonald, H. R. Barrett, J. • Mcßeath, P. G, Marshall, H. Thompson'; W. G. T. Waterhouse, W r . H. Baird and A. Grant. Each of the members were accorded a hearty reception as they received their diploma from his Excellency. ■ Throughout the evening an interesting exhibition of the various methods of bandaging, etc., was given, Dr Teichelmann at the same time explaining to the audience the why and wherefore.

The singing of the National Anthem brought to a close a most interesting and enjoyable entertainment.