TO BE PURCHASED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 102, 18 December 1939, Page 5

TO BE PURCHASED

AMBULANCE FOR WHAKATANE

QUESTION OF SURPLUS FUNDS

It was decided, at a public meeting held in the County Chambers on Thursday night, to purchase a Ford V 8 130 inch wheel base ambulance sind to hand over its control and maintenance to the Whakatane Hospital Board.

The meeting, called for the purpose of receiving a recommendation from the local bodies representative •committee on the purchase, control -and maintenance of an Ambulance for the district, was under the chair manship of His Worship the Mayor, Mr B. S. Barry.

In opening *he meeting Mr Barry •said "that in July, 1938, two committees had been set up. One was for

vthe purpose of considering the best tj*pe of Ambulance and the other was to raise the necessary funds. The funds had been raised and the ffjnestion to be decided Avas the best of ambulance. The committee formed for the purpose recommended to the meeting the purchase of a 1940 model, 130 inch Avheel base Ford V 8 Ambulance, supplied by Alessrs Armstrong and Co. Ltd., fit a price of £594, less a donation of £50 offered by the company. Construction of the Ambulance to be supervised by Mr Roffe of the Wellington Ambulance Association.

It was explained by Mr Barry that two quotations had been received, the other being for a Dodge. However there was some considerable difference in the two prices, the quotation for the Dodge being about £200 above the Ford price.

The committee had discussed the matter at some length with the Medical Superintendent of the Whakatane Hospital, Dr Dawson, who "had been satisfied with the specifications with the exception of one or two minor alterations to equipment.

Mr H. Carr raised the point of interchange of stretchers with othei ambulances. Would the eqnipmeni be standard an 1 conform to botl Auckland and Wellington?

Mr Barry: It Avon't be interchangeable with Auckland because as far as the body is concerned Wellington and Auckland both have different internal equipment.

Mr R. Ferry: You could transfer :a patient from one ambulance to another. Actualli*, it should be no inconvenience to file patient if the transfer were effected by experienced drivers. Motion for Adoption. The Mayor pointed out to the meeting that the control and maintenance of the ambulance will be left lo the Hospital Board. If it were otherwise, he said, there would be irresponsibles calling for the. ambulance on the slightest excuse. With control from the Hospital the Medical Superintendent or Matron could form some idea of the urgency of the call. This was a further recommendation from the committee.

Mr A. J. Canning moved that the recommendation from the committee for the purchasing of the Ford VS -ambulance be adopted. "It has taken us eighteen months to rai.se the money," said Mr Canning, "and during that time the Ford has been the only one within our means. The, committee should be congratulated on the work done." Surplus Funds. The chairman said that after the purchase of Hie ambulance there would be a surplus in funds. "This Is a public meeting," said Mr Barry, "and we will have to decide what is to be done." Speaking as the chairman of the St. John Ambuiance Association, Mr A. J. Canning suggested that any surplus should be handed to that body.

Mr C. A. Suckling thought that the cost of sheets, pillow cases, etc. should not be borne by the Hospital Board and that possibly the surplus could be used for the purchase of these things, and the ambulance handed over to the board complete.

Mr Ferry added the question of registration and insurance, saying that if these were not paid the charr ges would have to be met by the board later on. It was his opinion, also, that the vehicle should be completely fitted. Mr Ferry stressed the fact that there are two bodies connected with the St. John organisation, the Association and the Brigade. Actually it is the Brigade who go out to collect patients, the association being the instructional body. If the surplus funds were to bo handed over it ~ av.ould have to be made clear >v;hich body it was intended for."'

Mr Carr said that the object was to hand over Ihe ambulance to the Hospital Board completely free of debt. Mr S. Miller suggested that the committee should hold the money for . the maintenance of the vehicle and asked whether the money couM not be left in the bank under the control of the committee. Mr Suckling: This meeling was called for the purpose of considering the recommendation of the committee regarding l)»e purchase of an ambulance and not i:> discuss turpi us funds.

It was thought by several present that the meeting di 1 nei hive the

power to dispose of any money remaining after the puivha.se.

After some discussion, it was resolved that: The s.vrplas money in hand after purchase of Ihe ambulance as recommended i'V the committee be applied. (1) I\irchnsc necessary extra equipment. (_') Registration a id insurance on vehicle. (2) Any oal.iiice to be handed to tiie St John Ambulance Association (Whakatane Branch) for purchase of uniforms and equipment for the Wha katane Brigade.

The resolutions were recorded by Mr C. W. Good, Hon. Sec. of the Ambulance Fund Committee.

Mr Barry moved a vote of thanks to Messrs Armstrong and Co. Ltd. for their donation of £50 and this was seconded by Mr Suckling.

A vote of thanks was also moved to the committee and all helpers who raised funds, with special thanks ty Mr H. Carr.