ACHIEVEMENT YEAR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 7, 5 August 1946, Page 7

ACHIEVEMENT YEAR

ST. JOHN- AMBULANCE ASSN. CHAIRMAN’S REVIEW In his annual report to the meeting of the Whakatane branch of the St. John Ambulance Association last Wednesday, the chairman, Mr A. J. Canning, stated as under:— When I presented my annual report last year I was able to report a year of hard work and solid progress. Little did I think at the time that the coming year, which I am reporting upon now, would completely overshadow any previous year in our history, but such has proved to be the case. Reports from all Divisions which will shortly be presented to you both from town and country will convey some idea to you of the quickly expanding services which are being freely and efficiently rendered by all members throughout the district. During the year I have had the great satisfaction of seeing our very fine hall brought fairly close to completion, and at present we are able to hold meetings and conduct the parades of our Division in same. This is proving a great convenience and is making for increased efficiency. My Association is greatly indebted to all our members and to tradesmen and others who have so freely given their services voluntarily. This very valuable assistance enables me to report that up to the present no cost whatever has been incurred for labour. I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking the many business people and others, who have supplied quite voluntary, goods and services free or at cost. I must also pay tribute to the members of our Nursing Division who have consistently supplied morning and afternoon tea, rightfrom the time of laying the foundations nearly two years ago, and this kindly and friendly gesture has been greatly appreciated. We are hoping to have the building finally completed in 3 or 4 months when the official dedication will take place. During the year First Aid classes have been conducted in Whakatane, at the Paper Mills and throughout the district, and I wish to thank the lecturers and all those who have assisted with these classes for the very high standard of efficiency which has been obtained. Cases are continually coming to my notice which prove that the painstaking efforts put forward in training candidates is productive of very creditable results when occasion arises for such candidates to render First Aid. We have at the present time 100 honorary members who pay 5/- per year subscription and I wish to thank all these honorary members for the prompt and willing way these subscriptions are paid. These subscriptions are due in July each y ja-: and are a great help in seeing us over until the time of our Annual Appeal which usually takes place in October Or November each year. I wish to appeal to all those who are interested in our work and who would like to help us financially to join up as Hon. members and’ thus contribute towards putting our finances on a firm basis. In conclusion, I wish to thank all our members in Whakatane and district for the loyal and unstinting services which they have all rendered in the cause of humanity during the year just closed, and I appeal to them all for the same unselfish devotion to duty in the year upon which we have just entered.

In conclusion I think it fitting that special thanks are due to Cadet Superintendent Drube and Superintendent Ramson who have been the mainstays of our building programme not forgetting the clerk of the works (our worthy secretary, Mr E. J. Dillicar), Cadet Superintendent Drube deserves extra special praise, he has lived on the job, being architect, supervisor, general foreman in fact the king pin, all hands having looked to him for instructions. There are numerous other helpers carpenters, plumbers, painters, electricians who have given their services free. Members of the Brigade while not working on the building were busy at public duties or Ambulance calls from the hospital:

It fails me to find words to express my feelings of thanks on behalf of the public which is due to those great helpers whose services have been given so generously for a worthy cause.