ACHIEVEMENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 17, 23 October 1945, Page 5

ACHIEVEMENT

NEW ST. JOHN HALL ASSET TO TOWN AND COUNTRY The new and commodious St. John Ambulance Hall which stands almost completed, on Ihe corner of King Street and Haig Street its a monument to the progressive policy and energy - of the local St. John organisation. Built entirely by yoluntary labour it has become a tangible assj&t to both town and. andi will, in years to come fulfill a very useful and vital purpose in the community. Commcnccd in September 1944 # when the foundations were first the hall was the dream of the then reconstituted organisation. Following the demobilisation of the Home many of the members of the Medical Corps automatically joined up with' St. John and the new impetus given that body resulted in the first idea of building a completely self-contained hall. It is interesting to recall the circular letter which went to all corners of the town and district and realised a response of £300. This- sum would have been much greater had it not been for the severe Hoods which coursed through the middle Plains and gave many farmers the gravest cause for anxiety. the goodwill was unmistakeable, and the St. John committee laid down plans for the present hall which is a building 90 by 30 feet.

The estimated total cost is £900, ■of which £800 has already been expended. The building, which is now nearly completed, will lie known as the St. John Training Hallr It is commodious and attractive in dc:sign. Substantially it can be •expected to meet the growing demands of the. St. John organisation for many years to 'Come. Over the past year, members and sympathisers have toiled assiduous, .ly with their self-imposed task. .Slowly the building has taken definite and though the committee freely recognise the splendid work and assistance from outsiders the great bulk of the credit, both 4:or the conception of the. structure and its actual building must i*o to the; individual members themselves. The front entrance leads immediately into a large room 23ft by 18ft which will house the. nursang division. In it will be kept the first-aid equipment, complete with beds and sterilisers. It will be lined to a height of 60ft all round, with a board dado. The room will be.known 1 as the nursing headquarters. Opposite, will be the divisional store-room, with three large eub'cle? for the storage of gear for the nursing division, cadet corps, and ambulance brigade respectively. This gives way to a common kitchen which; i.t is hoped will be fully equipped and furnished with the latest appliances. The third room is a commodious committee and lecture room, ,18ft by loft whicn will be l'ully lined and sealed.

It is the hope of the committee to make the organisation as attractive as possible and to this end the hall for the first time in the St. John history of this town the formation of a social club. Jt will be possible now to hold social evenings and festive occasions whereby members, their wives and can be the guests of the Association's hospitality. The main with a floor space 60ft by 30ft will enable lull dress parades of all sections and it is hoped that when the Dominion Commissioner next visits Whakatane, in a few week's time he will be able to carry out his inspection of all units in the Association's own hall for the first time. The hall * 5 in common with the Nursing Division's room will be dadoed to a height of 6ft Sin; the balance of the walls and ceiling as funds and opportunities permit The Association is proud of the fact that whilst all material has been paid for, the labour has not cost a single penny. Whakalane citizens generally will join in wishing the Association all future sucand will recognise in the new hall the reward of a public institution determined to help itself in the interests of service to the broad community,