WOMEN WAR WORKERS

Evening Star, Issue 24286, 29 August 1942, Page 8

WOMEN WAR WORKERS

5. AMBULANCE DRIVERS •‘..There is more tragedy than comedy in our work,” said one of tho women drivers of the St.' John Ambulance to a ‘Star’ reporter the other night, “but we all like it.” This division of St. John workers, formed in October, 1939, was the first of its kind in New Zealand.. There arc now 25 members, who are tarrying on the voluntary work formerly done by men. Those who are free go on duty during the day, and the others from 7 p.m. to 10.30 p;ui. or until they arrive back from a case.. They have a wonderful record of work during the past three years, having put in 13,606 hours on duty, and attended 3,025 removals and 299 accidents. The territory covered is a wide one, extending from Pembroke, Ranfurly, Clyde,

The August'meeting of the Dunedin Central branch of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union was held on Tuesday. There was. a large attendance, presided over by Mrs Hiett. Sister Elinor conducted the devotion. Nominations for district officers were passed, and arrangements made in connection with the district conference to be hold at Oamam at the end of' September. Feeling-: reference was made by the president to the life and work of the late Mrs Peter Dick, sen., an esteemed member of the union for over 30 years. Reference was also made to the late Mr Charles Todd, ut Wellington, a staunch supporter of tho temperance, movement. At the annual meeting of the Mornington Ladies’'Bowling' Club the following olheers were elected President, Mrs U. Morrison ; vice-president, Mrs Hamer; secretary, Mrs Wallace; selectors, Mesdamcs Whale and Liddel: Ties Committee, Mesdamcs Turner and Whale: delegate- to centre, Mrs R. Morrison. At the conclusion of business the members were entertained by the president, and Mrs Hamer contributed several enjoyable items.

The question of a club for women in the services was discussed at the ordinary meeting of tho Wellington Women’s Metropolitan Patriotic Committee last week, and it was decided to proceed with the project. The idea had been considered a year ago, but at that time it was decided the number of women did not warrant any action being taken. A sub-committee was sot up lo go into the matter.

At the meeting of Hie St. Clair Women s Cluli on Monday evening, the Literary Circle, under the leadership of Mrs W. Rutherford, presented an enjoyable programme. ■ Papers on the lives and works of AVilliam Wordsworth and Victor Hugo were read. Mrs Withers read a paper on the painting ‘ Mona Lisa,’ and a song,

and Roxburgh, to Tapanni, Edicvalo, Invercargill, and up to Palmerston, as well -as ihe intervening districts.

For country work thero is a. modern ambulance with every facility. Cupboards contain first aid equipment for any emergency, as well as everything calculated to ensure the patient’s comfort. There are three other ambulancs, and all are kept ready to answer the call at a moment’s notice. When tho girls return from a case their first duly is lo prepare tho machine for its next call. Besides being on call (c hospitals and accidents, tho girls do public duly; that, is, they attend race meetings as well as hookey and basketblill matches. Every week (hey attend a class of instruction to keep themselves in practice, although they all hold first-aid medallions and heavy traffic licenses.

Life for an ambulance driver is full of variety, and she must be capable of dealing with people who are often difficult and always in trouble. Some have lo bo persuaded to go to hospital, but more often they are grateful for the help that is being

Navy League Notes. Those interested in the general work of tho Navy League might like to know that in 1941 nearly 700 wireless sets were supplier! by the league to small ships employed round the British coasts. The seafarers’ comforts supply depots of the league also issued 573,467 comforts duing tho same period, including 20,512 to the Russian Army. During July and August this branch has sent overseas 203 pairs of seaboot stockings, ’ 106 pairs of «ocks, 44 pairs of gloves and mittens, 215 pullovers, 285 scarves, 48 shirts, 50' balaclavas, a ..quantity of caps. 147 children’s garments (including shawls, quilts, sets, etc.), 161 (ins of food, 501 b butter—a total of at lea>t 1,122, plus foodstuffs. This list, of course, does not include comforts and food to overseas visiting ships, nor garments lo our own men going overseas. .Spinners, both-in our own spinning room and in other centres (who have sent in stockings) will be glad to know that practically all the seaboot stockings sent overseas now are (hose made with the homespun wool. Also, in one of the August cases, there were 18 pullovers made out of our own spun wool. Women in the Army, The second draft of women lo leave Dunedin for Army- training nox Monday morning will include Mrs A. O. Lomas, Mrs R. M. Crawford, Mrs O. J. Mazey, Mrs T. R. Nicol, Mrs Ci, P. Ellis, and Misses H. L. Fox, N. Hyde Harris, M, A. Kane, J. N. I’. Lymburn, E. M. Quigley, D. V. Rough C. E. Ryan, N. S. Wilson, A. Wingham, L. A. Cuthill, L. I. Dowic, C. A. Frame, E.E. A. Warren, G. M. Wear, and I), P Lament, Reduce polishing labour by putting on a bright,, lasting polish with TAN-0L POLISHING CREAM. Easy to apply. Cleans as it polishes. All stores. —SHARLAND’S wholesale distributors.— [Advt.]

offered to them, and very rarely do they grumble. The story is told of an ambulance driver, looVug for a certain bouse, who saw a lad/ waving -her arm to stop it. “ Where is the patient? ” asked the driver. “ I’m tlie patient,” she replied, “ and this is niv broken arm.” On one long-distance call "as tiie driver approached the house she was told that the only way lay through a hog, “ and if you get in, you won't get out.” However, nothing daunted, in she went, as it was impossible to carry the man so far, and a tractor pulled her out of the bog on a dark, raining night. However, not all jobs arc hard, and some, such as taking children out to the convalescent home at Kow, are a real pleasure. “We all like that,” chorused the girls. Probably many of the public do not realise the, tireless devotion and self-sacri-ficing service which these girls are giving without thought of reward or payment. Wet or fine, no matter what they would rather be doing, they report for duly at St. John Ambulance Headquarters, and whenever the call comes they are ready.

mother, who wore a navy costume and navy hat. Her shoulder spray was of polyanthus. She was assisted by the bridegroom’s mother (Mrs Christie), wearing a black suit- and hat. An honoured guest was Mrs E. W. Ibbotson, the bride’s grandmother, who wore a black and violet ensemble. , The bridegroom has recently returned from service with the R.A.I?. in Singapore. . The bride’s going-away costume was a deep blue frock and navy hat with a grey and blue tailored tweed coat. The future home of the newly-married couple will be in Christchurch.