MOTOR AMBULANCE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2936, 23 November 1916, Page 9

MOTOR AMBULANCE

I ———t j HARBOUR BOARD TAKES ACTION. Tho_ City Council's scheme for the provision -of an ambulance for Welling-ton-was mentioned at' last' nights meeting of the Harbour Board. Hie chairman (Mr. C. E. Daniells) stated the Mayor' of Wellington had suggested that the city should provide accommodation for two' cars at the bandrotunda section, opposite the Fire Brigade Station. The City Council wouhl then'guarantee 'a service day and night, while the Harbour Board would provide a motor ambulance and pay £200 per year towards working expenses. If a second car was required, tlie Harbour Board would pay for it, according to the Mayor's suggestion, white the City Council would pay. tho annual charges. The chairman added that in his opinion it would be better for the board to buy its own ambulance and house it on the wharves. The cost of a car, suitably equipped, would be £218. The car could bo used by the board's own staff, which included willing and competent ambulanco workers, and wotild be available at all times to deal with_ cases arising on the wahrves. The city's proposal meant an annual charge on board of £200. The board could provide for the needs of the waterfront by buying a car for £218, and using its own staff for ambulance purposes at very small cost. Mr. M. Cohen said the general in-' terests of the city had to .be considered. Co-operation between the Harbour Board and the city in ambulance matters was desirable from many points of view. The chairman said the purchase of an ambulance by the board would not prevent, co-operation. The feeling among workers and employers on the wharf was strongly in favour of the housing of tho board's own ambulance on the wharf. Mr. J. . M'Ewan said that the board would bo going outside its functions if it provided an ambulance for general use in the city. When an accKlerit occurred on the wharf, tlio ambulance was required at once, and the Tionrd should not be in the position of finding that the vehicle was in useabout the city. The duty of providing an ambulance for tho general pubTic devolved unon the Hosnital Board and the City Council, and did not concern the Harbour Board. After further discussion the board authorised the chairman to., order an ambulance car.. according to the estimate already received.