ST JOHN S YEAR OF OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 29, 24 August 1949, Page 5

ST JOHN S YEAR OF OUTSTANDING PUBLIC SERVICE

“I have much pleasure in stating that it has been a year of outstanding service to the community. All town and country \ Brigades under the Associa- ' tion’s jurisdiction have worked very hard and have carried out their duties with a smoothness and efficiency that has earned my utmost admiration,” writes the chairman of the St John Ambulance Association in the report covering the year ended June 30, which he will present to the annual meeting at Whakatane tonight.

“My congratulations go to Edge- ■ eumbe for resuscitating' their Brigade in increased strength and my thanks, to Mr Massey the Superintendent for his devoted and untiring efforts. A Brigade at Edgecumbe is of great assistance to Whakatane in that it eases the strain on an already overworked Brigade, i Hopes For Taneatua “I sincerely hope to see Brigade members .again in operation at Taneatua in the near future which will be ofLiurther assistance to Whakatane.. May I appeal to the public of Taneatua to get behind their own St John Ambulance Brigade members and give them all the support they can in the interests of their own community. “We have a strong Brigade at the Wbakatane Board Mills which you will ■ appreciate is most desirable. The . manner in which the management of the Mills supports the Brigade with accommodation and equipment calls for the highest •commendation, and I sincerely thank the management on behalf of my Association. Help To Hospital “I will leave it to the Superintendents of the various Brigades to report in detail concerning their respective activities and I am sure you will be amazed at the great amount of work carried out by them during the year. However, in passing I would like specially to mention that the Whakatane Brigade has helped out to no .small extent at the hospital during the present period of acute staff shortage. It was . never that First Aiders would ever be called upon for this type of duty, but I am pleased to know that these special duties have been performed with credit and distinction. First Aid Classes “My thanks are due to Mr A. Carling and Mr E. J. Ramson for taking First Aid classes during the year. At one time these classes were taken by Doctors, but owing to pressure of work the services of Doctors are not available at the present time. However, Doctors have been very good in making time available to conduct examinations, in giving advice where required and in giving lectures of a special nature. “Our splendid hall has again proved its worth in providing facilities for training and has been a big factor in enabling the greatly increased demands on our personnel to be met. Cadet Divisions Strong “We haye a strong Cadet Ambulance Division and a strong Cadet Nursing Division, and the training of these young people assures the continuity of our work. I sincerely thank those who are giving so much of their time and efforts in training these young people and who are doing the job so thoroughly. “I am pleased to report that our finances are in a satisfactory position. Although all services are given voluntarily our organisation cannot be carried on without money. Our present activities have only been possible by the splendid financial support to us by the public and I feel sure we can count on this fine co-operation continuing. Thanks To Secretary “I would now like to offer a special word of praise to our worthy secretary, Mr J. W. G. Smith. During the last year Mr Smith has served us diligently and conscientiously and has worked very hard ’to ensure the smooth and efficient working of our Association. On behalf of every member of our organisation I wish to express my thanks and appreciation to him. “I now appeal to everyone to remain solidly behind our Association, as a strong Association is the key to a strong organisation. “In conclusion, may I again appeal to every member of our organisation for the same loyalty and devotion to duty during the ensuing year as was given during the past year. If this is done I am sure we cannot help but go from strength to strength in the cause of humanity.”