INDUSTRIAL FIRST AID

Evening Star, Issue 23368, 11 September 1939, Page 11

INDUSTRIAL FIRST AID

HILLSIDE AMBULANCE CORPS CELEBRATES TWELFTH ANNIVERSARY DEVELOPMENTS CONSEQUENT UPON WAR Progress of the Hillside Workshops Division of tho St. John Ambulance and the part it would be called upon to ‘play in the present war were the main themes touched upon by speakers at tho anniversary social held in tho Hillside Social Hall on Saturday night. The function took the form of a dance, for which tho M.C.s were Messrs J. Penson and A. 11. M'Ewen. Superintendent Penson introduced the president of the Hillside Division (Mr \V. M'Evoy) to tho gathering during the supper interval, when prizes won by tho various units were presented. i Thirty years ago, said Mr M'Evoy, there was not much ambulance work, spider webs being used for cuts. Later came a box of bandages, with a bottle of whisky—which lasted three days after it was opened. Six months later, a small club was formed with Government encouragement. Since then the membership had increased to 57, and the work had increased considerably—for instance, 3,000 cases had been treated at tho Workshops in the past year.. The men now were so capable that a small scratch never became a serious complaint. In conclusion, ho expressed his pleasure at the numbers present, and hoped that the annual championships held would continue to ho a success.

Congratulations oil the division reaching its twelfth year were extended by the assistant commissioner for Otago (Mr W. Perritt), who said that it was fortunate that the industrial division had its manager (Mr M'Evoy) taking a practical interest in the work. It was an advantage to have an official assisting' in gaining amenities for a division. Times and conditions had changed a lot with the years, he said, and there would be many calls made on the division during the next six months. The St. John Association was preparing an enormous training programme during the next six months for those who had had no previous experience in first aid work, he continued, and suggested that the wives or sweethearts of those present should take part. It was proposed to set up ladies’ committees to carry on necessary war work as in 1914. when the women of New Zealand did good work in producing articles designed to make the life of tho soldier more pleasant than it would otherwise have been.

Both the district and the corps appreciated tho work of tho Hillside Division, said the corps superintendent of Otago (Mr P. Wilkinson). From time to time it was realised the amount of work that was done there, and on behalf of tho main body he thanked the division.^ Dr N. North, the divisional surgeon, said that first aid lectures stressed the need for co-operation between the doctor and the first aid man. The state of the world to-day was not cheerful, but true British co-operation and cheerfulness would win through. The brigade would have a lot to do, and it should be realised that a person who took a first aid course and then forgot it was stupid, but one who took the course and carried it on practically in his later life would he a very useful member of the community.

Finally Mr Perritt proposed the health of the Hillside Division, which was fittingly honoured.