ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2435, 14 April 1915, Page 7

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

ANNUAL REPORT

The annual report for the year 1914 or tho fat. John AmbUance Brigade Overseas within the Dominion states that considerable work has been done during the year. The outbreak of war has caused a revival of interest in first aid and nursing work, as the result of which a number of i>ew divisions have been, and aro still being, formed throughout the country. 111 the Wellington district an ambulance division has been inaugura ted in connection with the Post and Telegraph Office staff of Wellington City, and two nursing divisions have been formed—Lower Hutt and Petone Central. AJI the units named are attached to the Wellington Corps. Ambulance and nursing divisions are now in course of formation at Feilding.

A perusal of the annual reports shows that satisfactory work contuiucs to be carried out by divisions. 'J'he number of first aid cases, attended to on publio duty was 3668, against 1022 for the preceding year. Christchuich division Stands fifst on the list with 1516 cages, followed by Wellington Corporation ™ tawa^6l 400; Wellington Nursing, 333; Auckland, 237; Wellington, 155; Auckland Nursing, 150; Onehunga, 150; Wellington South Nursing, 121; Timaru, 106; Onehunga Nursing, 75,. The number of removals was 1131, against 1000 for tho previous year; Dunedin contributed 615 cases and Timaru 221. The number Of cases of first aid attended to not on public duty was 2G66, against '2429 for 1913 The principal figures wore contributed by: East Town Railway* 424; Palrnerston North Nursing, 200; N.Z. Railway Corps (Christchurch), 200; Timaru. 192; Wellington Harbour' Board, 175; Warigantii Corps, 136; Petone, 129; Dunedin, 102. The number of cases nursed privately was 004, against 38i for the preceding year: Dunedin Nursing. 214; Selwyn Nursing, 140; Wellington Nursing, 67; Onehunga Nursing and Petone Nursing, 25 each. Upon the Defence authorities taking steps for the formation of the National Reserve, an appeal was made to members of the brigade throughout the Dominion to enrol' in the ambulance section of this body, and the response was practically unanimous. Not only have the members of the brigade joined the reserve, but the executive officers have taken the necessary Steps to Obtain full information with respect to the establishment and furnishing of temporary hospitals, transport of patients, ana other particulars, which would be of value in the event of war approaching this Dominion. Several of the nursing division were inspected by General Sir lan Hamilton while reviewing the local troops. During the industrial troubles which were prevalent at the beginning of the brigade year, the ambulance aud nursing divisions in the various centres were called upon to undertake a considerable amount of public duty. In Wellington at one ambulance statjOii established by the Wellington nursing division over 300 cases were attended to. Stations were also established at the camps Of' the mounted specials at | Ciiristchurch and likewise at Lyttelton, [a total of 1500 cases being recorded. At the instigation of the Petone Ambulance Division, the local Boiough Council has erected and equipped an ambulance room in the local recreation ground, where football and other sports regularly take place. The appeal from the Order has caused remarkable activity amongst all divisions of the brigade in New Zealand. It is gratifying to be able to report that without exception members have thrown themselves into the work of collecting funds and material with the utmost enthusiasm, and it is thought that there i every reason to state that the work will be continued as long as the necessity exists.