CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 08, Issue 93, 27 July 1945, Page 5

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSN.

WHAKATANE SUB-CENTRE

At the annual meeting of the St. John Ambulance Association held on Wednesday evening, the Chairman, IVIr A. J. Canning reported as follows: — In presenting liiv Annual Report covering year ending 30th June 1045, it is with pleasure I record a year of hard work and solid progress. The calls being made on our organisation are continually increasing and the reports from our various Divisions will demonstrate that the year just ended constitutes a record for public duties performed. During the year classes in first aid were carried out in Whakatane and throughout the district with very satisfactory results. I am pleased to report filat three classes for the benefit "o'f members of the. Whakatane Paper Mills staff were conducted during the year with the pleasing result that a number of men scattered throughout the Mill are now •qualified to render First Aid ; n the event of an emergency. The need, for a building for Brigade parades, First Aid classes, meetings etc. has long been acute and in March of last year an appeal for funds was launched with a view to Luilding our own hall. As the result of this appeal over £400 has been reeeived. Other efforts have resulted in approximately another £300 being collected. A start was made to build "the hall with voluntary labour in the spring of last year and members of "the. Ambulance Division have been consistant in their efforts'. Valuable help and guidance has been freely forthcoming from members of the Carpenter's Union and others and we are indebted to carpenters from TWaimana who have travelled to Whakatane and given us two days valuable, work. Our special thanks is also due to the large working bee of over 20 who gave us their seqviccs on King's Birthday resulting -in the roof being put on and a fair portion of the joinery installed. I would specially like to mention the large amount of his time Mr Drube as making available for work on this building and I wi&h to extend to h'im the thanks and appreciation ol the Association. Although other members are also giving a lot of their time to the building I am .sure none of them will grudge this special mention of Mr Drube Further I must not overlook the action of the Nursing Division in supplying afternoon tea so consistently to jnen working on the building. Needless to say this has been more than .appreciated. I would also like to jnention that while the hall is being built public brigade duties are not being neglected in any way, but are always* given first When this hall is finished it will house the St. John Ambulance Division, and there will bo a committee room, a storeroom,, a kitchen and of course a hall for parades. It is estimated -that the total cost of the. building will be ,in the neighbourhood of £1000 and if our ambition is realised we will be able to open the hall free .of debt.

During the year we were, anonymously donated the .sum of £(50 with J which to purchase a piano for the j hall when completed. We recently took the opportunity of purchasing a suitable piano in good condition and this piano is now bc'iiig taken care of until the hall is completed. My chief concern at the present -time is the shortage of trained personnel to meet the amount of work to be done. A First Aid class is starting the first Monday in August at the Methodist Hall and I would strongly urge anyone who is prepared to join hands in helping us to enrol for this class and thus quality for drafting to the Men's Division or to the Nursing Division. Names should be handed to Mrs Hannah or to Mr Ramson.

In conclusion I desire to express my sincere thanks to the general public who during the year have extended to us the hand-of goodwill and co-operation and who have, so generously supported us financially. I also desire to thank all those connected with our organisation who have worked so unselfishly and harmoniously in the cause of s-uffering humanity. I feel sure that to be the jpeans of contributing to the relief

of suffering or in the saving of x human life even 'if only in a small degree must prove a source of much satisfaction and I would appeal to all for the same unselfish service and devotion to duty in the coming year that I have received in the past.