ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20093, 24 November 1930, Page 8

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE.

ANNUAL PARADE AND INSPECTION. FULL MUSTER PRESENT. The annual inspection of the men and women of the Christchurch Corps of the pt. John Ambulance Brigade was held on Latimer square on Saturday afternoon. Colonel G. Barclay, Deputy-Chief Commissioner in Charge, inspected the parade, which was under the command of Captain G. Peek, District Superintendent. There wcro 250 members of the Brigade on parado. The officers present were: —Colonel Barclay, Miss Munro (staff), Captain Peek, Dr. P. J. Borrio (Assistant-Dis-trict- Superintendent), Mrs A. L. Bishop (Lady Commissioner), Miss Thompson (Assistant-Lady Commissioner), Mr J. Becconsall (District' Officer-in-Chargo of Public Duties and Transport), Mr T. P. S. Rudd (Corps Superintendent), Colonel F. \V. W. Dawson (Corps Surgon), Captain J. W. Crampton (Corps Secretary), and Mr A. Hoddinott (in charge of Corps Stores). The Divisions present, with their various strengths, were as follows: — Christchurch Ambulance (25), Christchurch and Lyttelton Railway Ambulance (25), No. 3 Ambulance (14), Christchurch • Nursing (42), Selwyn Nursing (20), Beckenham Nursing (15), Girl Guides' Nursing (30), Girl Guides' Cadets (30), Selwyn Cadets (15), No. 3 Cadets (20), and Boys' Brigade (14). Efficiency Test. The preliminary inspection was carried out by Captain Peek. Then Colonel Barclay took over, and conducted tho official inspection. Just as it was finished a motor-car, which ' was being driven fairly, fast, swerved from the main road on the other side of tho Square, crossed tho • pavement on to the grass and passed perilously near a squad of Boy Scouts drawn up there. It was difficult to see whether the boys were actually hit, but at- least everyone of them promptly fell to. the grass, uttering the most convincing shrieks. There was a rush of grey-clad nurses across tho grass and for a moment confusibh round the spot where the boys were lying. But the confusion quickly resolved itself into an orderly activity. Bandages and splints appeared and presently the supposedly badly injured Scouts were being lifted, swathed in bandages and dressings, on to stretchers by the men of the ambulance corps, who had followed the nurses across,, .and wero being carried to the ambulance which had promptly arrived. Some of the less serious cases wero treated on the ground, all making good recoveries, and presently tho parade formed up again to be addressed- by Colonel Barclay and l>y Bishop Brodie. Praise for the Corps. Colonel Barclay expressed his appreciation of what ho had seen. Jt had givien.him great pleasure to make the inspection, he said, and the muster was extremely satisfactory. The work that had been carried out ho considered es.'cellent. .Ho knew the efforts the members of -tho Brigade had to : make and ho knew the calls which were made wpon their time and . strength and, on behalf of tho Commissioners of the Order, ho thanked them. Ho was especially pleased to see the progress that was being made with the junior units.

Bishop Brodie,' speaking on behalf of ' the-committee of tho Association, said: "Your inspector-has given you praise for your efficiency to-day and it is my, part to give-you tbo thanks of the citizens of Christchurch for your wonderful efficiency in times of sickness and distress. "the .spirit that animates you to-day is the spirit that will ensure the future triumphant success of the brigade in Christchurch and Canterbury. It gives me"; great pleasuro to associato myself With" the enthusiasm Shown, and I\'intend to do all I can" to foster its work. I; wish the St. John Ambulance Brigade the greatest' of success "in its noble eifprts." . ,

BISHOP BRQDIE'S TRIBUTE

Reference was made to the work ot the St. John Ambulance Association Bishop Brodio at the Catholic Cathedral yesterday, when be stated that the claims of the Association to the undivided and generous support of the community were established on the fact that since 1885 a great arniy of 20,642 persons had. been trained ih' first aid to the injured, home nursing and hygiene, over 1000 invalids had been carried annually in the Association's ambulances, and 10,000 accident and nursing cases had been dealt with yearly by the Brigade and by persons who had received instruction from the Association.

On behalf of the ■ Roman Catholic community he publicly thanked the generous members of . the medical profoSsion, who had offered , so freely tlie benefits of their professional training in order to impart the. principles Of first aid to the members of the St, .Tohn Ambulance Association and Brigade'. To the members also of. the Brigade the most generous appreciation was due. for in spite of,, their daily work, their domestio ties.' . and their social engagements, they lin'l dovoted themselves''to ' their • voluntary ambulance duties, and bar) q;iven- the' whole coTPTiuinity a . service widespread. tinfaiTinc:. pnd efficient. The time had come when the St. John Ambulance Association's work was to be extended, said-, his Lordship. and an appeal was • being made to provide, amoriff other things, for the provision of free r>mbu!.ancp transnort. He commended the nppeal to tlie whole community, and ho 'trusted that all sections wonld co-operate in a worthy r«sno*is»'. tn workin its inspiration venerable in its historic origin, and far-reaching in its benefits.