AMBULANCE HALL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 42, 21 January 1944, Page 5

AMBULANCE HALL

PROPOSAL FOR WHAKATANE COUNCIL DONATES £10 The proposal of the Whaka"tane branch of the St. John Ambulance Association to' construct a building to act as hall and headquarters for the various -training units under its control met with a sympathetic hearing from the Borough Council 1 last Monday evening when in answer to a written appeal the Council decided to donate the sum of £10. The- covering letter stated that "the Association found it necessary to build a substantial hall and to that end had purchased, a suitable section at King Street. In it would be trained the Ambulance Division, the Nursing Division,, Cadet Division and the First Aid Division. The. whole aim of the organisation Avas to be of service to the community -without thought of compensation or reward. The Mayor commented that he -considered the appeal one to which the Council should give encouragement and support. The Brigade was ..giving wonderful service to the people within the Borough and should be recognised. Cr Shapley agreed pointing out that although it. was not the habit • of the Council to make donations to .any other than to civic organisations, this was; a case where ibe fullest recognition should, be. made. rCr Canning explained that the proposed hall would overcome many difficulties which the Brigade had at present to contend with. It had at first been proposed, to combine with the Red. Cross Society but this •now appeared to be out of the question. What they now desired to do was to erect a good hall and consolidate the activities of the Brigade so that it could give the maximum service to the doctors of this district who were already overworked and in urgent need of assistance. The appeal would be a general one throughout the county. Moving that the Council contribute the slim of £10, the Mayor said that although he realised that the duty of the Council was primarily to maintain and administrate the amenities of the Borough from revenue collected, at the same time the St. John Ambulance was already extending a wonderful service to the ratepayers and should therefore be helped. The motion was carried unanimously.