ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 8, 7 August 1946, Page 5

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

WHAKATANE BRANCH ACTIVITIES ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Delegates from Wailmana, Edgecumbe and Whakatane attended the annual general meeting of the Whakatane Branch of the St. John Ambulance Association held in the new St. John Hall, King Street, last Wednesday evening. Commissioner A. Cobbe and Mr T. Parker, chairman of the South Auckland district, attended the meeting.

As nominal president the Mayor {Mr B. S. Barry) presided and in •opening the meeting warmly thanked the members of the Brigade for what they had done during the past year, not only by way of the invaluable free services to the community but also for the splendid new asset they had created by way of the hall which was a remarkable achievement in itself. The people •of this town, he said, should appreciate the service of the Brigade which was one of the finest organisations that had ever been in Whakatane. Its work extended far beyond the boundaries of the Borough and active sub-branches were also •doing excellent work in the country •districts. The chairman’s report and the balance sheet were then presented and adopted the latter showing a credit balance of £9 19s 7d and assets totalling £1236. ' Reporting on the Nursing Division, Mrs F. H. Stewart said that there were now 14 members who were doing useful work, assisting with the ambulance on several occasions. For the Edgecumbe branch Mr E. Massey said that 15 parades had been held and 13 lectures given. Forty cases had been, treated during the year.

For Waimana Miss McKay said that there were 14 ambulance members. Fourteen ordinary parades had been held and monthly classes on first aid and nursing conducted. Mrs Wylde for the Waimana Cadet Division said that eleven girls had been trained and these had proved their worth .on several sports fields where they had attended injured players. Cadet Ambulance Officer W. Abbott of Whakatane reported for the local unit which he said had made good progress some 30 cases being treated this season. There were ten members in all and he commended in particular Cadet J. Taylor for his initiative in treating a recent case. For Edgecumbe Brigade Mr Massey said there had been 27 parades and 16 public functions' had been attended involving 166 cases treated (25 of them private). ' Superintendent Ramson’s report appears elsewhere. The two retiring members of the committee Messrs. J. Bigelow and V. Allen were thanked for their services and reference was again

made to the former’s departure from * the district. Mr V. Allen was re--1 elected'together with Mr Ray Ferry. With regard to the new asset in the shape of the hall, Mr Barry reported that Headquarters had now agreed to the Whdkatane branch administering, and owning the building but not being -an incorporated body, it must be prepared to appoint two trustees to be responsible for it. These were' appointed imth persons of Messrs. A. J. Canning and E. R. Dillicar.

At the conclusion of the meeting - the ladies served a tasty and Wellcome supper.