RECORD YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 145, 21 June 1934, Page 13

RECORD YEAR

FREE AMBULANCE

SERVICE IN WELLINGTON

The sixth annual report of the Wellington District Free Ambulance, to be presented at the annual meeting' on July 2, states that the present bad times, cojjpled with the increased demand made upon the service, have made it difficult for the board to make ends meet. The year was a record one.

A gross credit balance.of £126 17s 9d is recorded on the year's working, but after adding.essential depreciation, on plant, a net deficit of £208 10s 3d has been produced, for which amount the board has been compelled to draw upon its accumulated surplus. '.'•"', • - The past year was the first during which the Ambulance had the advantage of its' own buildings and equipment, and it had functioned throughout in a most efficient' manner. The net ■ cost of the buildings completed, with, all charges added, was £16,369. INCREASED EFFICIENCY. V 'It was to be expected that continued daily practice would bring about increased efficiency in handling sick and 4 accident cases, and no effort has baeil spared to 'bring about" this desired and necessary condition," continues the report, which goes on to refer to the great assistance rendered by the ladies' auxiliary. Thanks are accorded to all contributors to the Ambulance funds, to local bodies and 'boards for continued co-operation, the Wellington and Petone divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade for providing an honorary staff which -gave 3128 hours of honorary service in the past year, collectors in factories, shops, and offices, the Press, and others.: - The following 'figures show the number of cases attended, during the -past year (the figures iv parentheses being the number for the previous^ year) :— Akatarawa, 2 (3); eitv and suburbs, 6551 (5231); Belmont, 18 (17); Eastbourne, 90 (53); Glensi&e, 2 (2); Here-; taunga, 1(8); Horokiwi,. 2 (0); Johnsonville, 91 (63); Kaitoke, 1 (1); Korokorri, 7 (9); Lower.Hutt, 543 (443); Lowry Bay,i 3 (4); Mahiua Bay,-3 (1); Makara, 8 (3); Mungaroa Valley, 2 (1); Mellings, 8 (3); Ngahauranga, 27 (24); Newlands, 5 (7); . Otaki, 20 - (10)-, Ohariu Valley, 3 (1); Petone, 452 (334); Point Howard, 4 (3); to Porirua, 94 (74); from.Porirua,. 50 (25); Paremata, 13 (7); Pahautanui, 3 (4); Plimmertoh, 15 (5); Paekak^riki, 18 (12); Para-' paraumu, 26 (21); Stokes Valley, 7 (?); Silverstream, 41 (15); Te Horo, 3 (6); Trentham, 29 (31); Tawa Flat, 10 (9)j Titahi Bay, 2 (4); Upper Hutt, 76 (40.); . "Wainui-o-mata, 4 (3); Whiteman's Valley, 3 (1); Wallaeeville, I' 4 (14); Waikanae, 14 (9); York Bay, 2 (1); Pukerua Bay, 0 (3); Moonshine, 0 (1); arid, Haywards, 0 (2). '■ '•■ Two patients were removed from Wellington to Leviny one from Greytown to Wellington, one from Masterton to Wellington, one from Wellington to Palraerston North, ; one from. Waipukurau to Wellington, and one from Kotprua to Wellington. THOUSANDS OF CASES. During the period of.;, its' service in Wellington up to March 31 last the Free Ambulance had attended 44,639 cases, 6660 of which had been due to accidents, 37,122. medical cases, and 857 minor cases.' Over the same: period the ambulance cars had covered' 442,310 miles. Last year 8274 cases w,ere attended and 79,447 . niiles were •" travelled. The number of medical cases last year (7200) exceeded' by awide margin the figures for other years, the previous highest total being, 6570' for the year ended March. 31, 1932; ■

" The staff of the local Free AmbiiT lance comprised the superintendent and: secretary (Mr. F. Eoffe), 7 permanent and 12 honorary bearers. There were seven motor-ambulance cars and one small car in the plant. ■ .

Appreciation of the services of Mr. Epffe and his staff are recorded in the report. ' ."-..

During the twelve months to- the close of March £508 Is 6d was received by personal subscriptions, £1020 11s i,sd lay employees' subscriptions, £.98 18s by box collections and subscription lists, £1448 3s from local bodies, £189 :4s 6d from various dona--tions, unions, societies, etc., and. £317 Is from 'benefits. . ■ ■ . '

Maintenance of tjie- ambulance cars amounted to . £745 .'_ 95,. & 495 Is lOd. of which went in benzine and oil costs.