AMBULANCE WORK.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1778, 17 June 1913, Page 2

AMBULANCE WORK.

BRANCH REPORTS,

YEAR'S PROGRESS REVIEWED. Tho annual report of tho Wellington branch of tho St. John Ambulanco Association read 3 as follows:— "Tho past year has been a very satisfactory one for tho centre in many directions. A largo number of stucionts received instruction in first aid, and also in home nursing. Tho serrico for tho conveyance of sick and injured has been utilised to a very largo extent, tho number of services for the j-ear being 482. The public show increasing sympathy with the association's objects, and its great utility to the community is becoming more generally recognised. As forecasted in last year's report, there was a decided inoreaso in tho total number of students as compared with tho number tho previous year. Tlio number of students who took a course of instruction, was 486, of whom 252 were men and 2,14 were women. Ono hundred and seventy-two men and IC2 women passed tho subsequent examination. Classes were held at Carterton, Hawcra, Masterton, Jbramn, .Napier, Nelson, Ohakuno, Palmerston North, Potono, Kangataua, Tailiape, wanganui, Wellington South, in addition to tlio classes conducted in Wellington City. "The annual 'Ambulanco Saturday was held on December 7, when the sum of £2Js> 4s. 7d. was collected. This was a much better result than tho previous year s effort gave, and it must be considered very satisfactory. Negotiations were entered into with tho hospital authorities for a joint collection day, but a basis suitable to both parties could not bo amved at. Events sliowod thtit the coinmittcG fl cl€- j cision in tho matter was a wise one. Tho ladies again earned tho thanks of tho association for their splendid services on the day. Tho proceeds wero, as last year, allocated in equal shares to- tlio St. John Ambulance Brigade, tlio District Nursing Guild of St. John, the centres quarters (building) fund, and tlio centre s general fund. _ ~, "Upon arrival in Nov Zealand bis colloncy Lord Liverpool was asked, to accept the position of president. It is with pleasure that tho committal reports his acceptance of tho position. "Further distinctions in tho Order ot St. John foavo been bestowed upon local members. Mr. W. B Fisher 'hoR becn created ati. Esquire, ornd Mr. C. P. Pontes an Honorary Serving Brother. "Two reoommendations for recognition of conspicuous bravery were sent forward during the year, and it is with pleasure that the oommitte© reports that the recommendation has been accepted one case, that of Walter Harold Gordon. Tho act recognised is one of bravery by which he saved a woman from probablo death at tho risk of his own life at the Hastings (Hawke's Bay) railway station, where Mr. Gordon was at tho time employed as a junior porter. He was awarded a Certificate of Honour. Timothy Hit* lihy, a labourer, was also recommended for conspicuous bravery in rescuing a fellow-worker from the Waikari Kivcr, Wairoa, in exceptional circumstances connected with a landslide. However, as tho awards of the Order are confined to acts of bravery on land, tho case could not be considered." , ... . Tho shows expenditure for the year ended March 31 of »£G33_ 2s. 10d., which includes a credit balaneo of £M lis. lid The srosa 6um included sums AM (id. paid ito the funds of the _St. John Ambulanco Brigade, tlio Nursing Guild, and quarters fund; modical fees, amounting to -Cll3 Bs.; and a sum of .£156 Gs. Gd. for the ambulance oontractor. The receipts included the following items:Ainbulance Day !o 4s. 7d., ambulance services, <£233 is. 3d.; donations and ,£2B 195.; and class foes, m 3s. Gd. . The assets of the association are set down at JJlO7llßs. Bd., and current labilities figure at Bs. 6d. The trust account stands at .£037 15s. sd. (which includes .£SOO on deposit). The Nursing Guild. Tho annual report of tlio St. John Ambulance Nursing Guild is as follows "Ell'ectivo work has been systematically maintained for tho benefit of the sick poor in their own homes during the past year, and tho regular income from the vested interests of the guild lias relieved the comniittoo from much anxiety respecting the question of tho nurses salaries, which existed before tho Endowment Fund »as built up through tho foresight of the president, Mrs. S. A. Rhodes. The committee however, still require an additional .£IOO yearly for tho Emergency lund, to onablo tho nurses to supply comforts, medicines, dressings, and other requisites for tho distriot patients, consequently tho question of ways and means requires thoughtful consideration. Moreover, thero are indications of a demand for another nurso in South Wellington, and the time may not bo far distant when tho question of appointing a district nurse for the Hutt Valley will also require attention, purses | Sexton and Macandrew havo carried on the nursing work in their usual abto and zealous way. Sinoo the last annual renort JSB additional patients have been registered, making a total of 1437 since the inception of the work m Wellington. The committee record with regriit that ;heir pafrunoffi, Ladv Islington, has left tlio Dominion, as on muro than one occasion her Excellency lies commended the aims ot the guild'to tho public for practical sytnniilliy Tlio enforced absenco of the president from tho guild meetings lately on account of serious illness lias been keenly deplored by officers and members, and the ceiiiniillco Nirnostly trust that Mrs. Rhodes will bo restored to good health jiUiiin in the near future."