ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1937, Page 24

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

BRIGADE NOTES

The annual report the St. John Ambulance Brigade in New Zealand, which has been issued by Colonel G. " Barclay, Chief Commissioner, contains some interesting information with regard to the continued progress of the organisation. The membership of the brigade now stands at 4482. and: during the year 21 new divisions were registered;.adult divisions at Point Chevalier, Gisbome, Wairoa (H. 8.), Taihape. Inglewood. Mdsgiel (2), and Milton 12), and cadet divisions at Auckland, EUershe; Pukekohe, Mprrinsville, Paeroa, Napier, Wellington, Karon, Lower Hutt. Wanganuii East. Christchurch, and Sumner. The number of services pertormed by individual members during the year was 68,267. First aid rendered on public duty consisted of 27.104 cases, whilst first aid not on public duty totalled &>,794 cases. The removal or transport work in which members of tne brigade took part amounted to V 534 cases. Tne cadet branch of the brigade made satisfactory progress during the year., and 1381 cadet proficiency certificates were issued At the commencement of the year there were 18 holders of the Grand Prior's Badge in the Oominion, and 14 additional badget were issued during 1936. The service medal of the Order of St. John was gained during the year by M members, and the bar for five years' additional_ser- v vice was awarded as follows:—First bar 14; second, 4; third, 2; fourth, 1; and fifth, 2. The service certificate for five years' service was issued to bo members, and the certificate of commendation for special mention in the rendering of first aid was issued to .one member. The usual brigade competitions were held in Auckland. Hamilton Christchurch, Dunedin, and invercargill. and proved highly satisfactory. In closing his report, the Chief Commissioner thanked the members of the medical profession for their services. Brigade Jubilee. The jubilee of the formation of the St. John Ambtilance Brigade is being celebrated in London this month. The various eve.its will include a reception at St. John's Gate, Jubilee first aid competitions, a,review in Hyde Park by the Queen, a service at St. Paul s Cathedral, an investiture at Buckingham Palace by the King, an intensive air raid precautions course, and a garden party at Clarence House, given by H.R.H. the Grand Prior. The brigade in New Zealand is being represented by 21 members. , . ■■ His Majesty the King has: been graciously nleased to grant his patronage to the St. John Ambulance Association. This is a happy proof of the continuance of the interest in all branches of the work of St. John which has always been shown by the Royal Family. ■'•• It has ■ also been announced that her Majesty: the Queen will retain her appointment as Cqm-mandant-in-Chief of the Nursing Corps; and Divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade. On .March 5 Queen Mary honoured the Order of St., John by an informal visit to■ St. Johns Gate. ' '->.■.■' Service Medal. H.R.H. the Grand Prior has approved of the issue of the service medal of the Order to the following members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade Overseas within the Dominion of New Zealand:—District Officer^D. E. JGullery; Wanganui; District Officer D. E. Marks, Canterbury; Lady Ambulance Officer A. Batt, Auckland: the bar to .the medal, for five years! additional service, has been awarded to Lady Cadet Superintendent :M. Sample, Auckland. : -; '■ : Lower Hutt Nursinf Division. At a meeting of the Lower Hutt Nursing Division.'held on May 20, Miss G. Wells, ;Lady Divisional Superintendent, after a short practice on roller bandaging, lectured the division on surgical nursing and the care of wounds, giving much useful informa-. tion from her practical experience. Fol-" lowing this. Miss Wells gave instructions 'lor1 the -performance of the last offices for the r^ead.1 St. Paul's Nursing Division. ; ''At the last, meeting of the St. Paul's Nursing Division a very interesting, talk was given by Df. Alister Young on infantile paralysis and stomach troubles. With regard to the former Dr. Young gave-a very interesting account of the symptoms and treatment; Concerning, stomach disorders, he gave a detailed description of the more common forms, and the treatment for ; each complaint was thoroughly described. Dr. Young warned the members against giving oil when appendicitis was suspected and said that a few days' starvation, provided plenty of fluids were taken, was excellent treatment'for, such troubles. The division welcomed, Mrs. Gaby, Lady Corps Superintendent; Miss M. Griffiths. Mrs. and Miss Osborn. and members of the Wellington. South apd Wellington Nursing Divisions. Miss Osborn is to act as Cadet Superintendent during Mrs. Wilson's absence.-. in Scotland. Wellington East No. 2 Cadet Division. Prior to the closing of the division on account of the precautions against infantile paralysis, the members of the Wellington East No. 2 Cadet Division held a very interesting meeting, when Mr. Y. Daniels showed a film -on the J3ush and Forestry Reserves of > New Zealand. First aid practice followed. If the schools reopen next week, the next-parade of the division will be on June 3. Cadet Activities. All cadet divisions in Wellington have suffered considerably as a result of the closing of schools and cessation of all juvenile activities. It is hoped, however, that with the reopening of the schools next week the divisions will soon regain their efficiency. Supplies of the cadet uniform will shortly be on hand. Wellington Ambulance Division. Recent meetings of the Wellington Ambulance have been very well attended,'and some very instructive talks and practices have been carried out. The division, at its last meeting, welcomed two new members to its ranks, Mr. A. Jennings, who already has a brother in the division, and Mr. Riley, who. has had considerable experience with the New. Plymouth Ambulance Division. The divisional superintendent, Mr. S. C.' Smith, gave an instructive practical demonstration of the use of the roller bandage, and members of the division- practised with the bandage. On Monday, May 24, the division was visited by Mr. C. Meachen, secretary of the: association, who showed a number of recent films made for the purpose.of.instruction in first-aid and allied subjects. A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Meachen. Wellington East Division. Considerable keenness is being shown in the events for the Divisional Efficiency Cup, which are being held each parade night. At present, Mr. W. Goodwin is leading on points, although Mr. Mander is following very close. At a recent meeting, the superintendent, Mr. W. Whitely, announced the resignation of Ambulance Officer Mr. T. Allcock, vho was being transferred from . Wellington. On behalf of the members of the division Mr. Whitely presented Mr. Allcock with a fine travelling bag, inside which the names of all the members of the division were inscribed. Several other members of the division also spoke, conveying their appreciation of Mr. Allcock's efforts as ambulance officer during his period with the division. In reply, Mr. Allcock expressed his regret at leaving the division, but wished it all success for the future. He also presented the division, as a token of his esteem and respect, with a silver cup, to be competed for by the members of the division. At last week's meeting of the division, Mr. F. Pycroft, acting ambulance officer, was presented with his medallion and congratulated by the superintendent, Mr. Whitely, and members of the division. Teams were also picked for the forthcoming corps competitions and practices for the various events were carried out.