ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 18 September 1939, Page 11

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

PURCHASE OF AMBULANCE COMBINED CLASSES NURSING DIVISION’S WORK In view of the present state of emergency, the general committee of the St. John Ambulance Association decided on Wednesday evening to postpone the association’s annual meeting until conditions were more favourable. The audited financial statement was approved for presentation at the annual meeting.

The committee meeting was held in the A. and P. Society’s rooms, those present being Mr. J. J. Macdonald, chairman, Mesdames H. Holmes, W. E. Goffe, M. Keany, A. P. Aylward, C. 11. Ferris and A. M. Puflett, Miss W. Lysnar, Messrs. H. H. DeCosta, T. G. Johns, Bullivant, Goffe, E. J. Poswillo and W. E. B. Froggatt, secretary. Apologies for absence were received from Mrs. K. A. Woodward and Mr. C. E. Bickford.

The Poverty Bay Division of the British Medical Association wrote explaining that the duplication of lectures and examinations was uneconomical and to avoid that it would be necessary for St. John and Red Cross members to together.

Agreement Reached

The secretary reported that he had interviewed the president of the local Red Cross unit and a satisfactory agreement had been reached about combined classes.

On the motion of Mr. Bullivant, seconded by Mr. Johns, it was resolved lo make arrangements for the purchase of a new ambulance.

An interesting review of the services rendered to the association and the brigade by Colonel G. Barclay, chief commissioner for New Zealand, over a period of 47 years, was contained in a circular from Mr. C. J. Tunks, Auckland commissioner. Colonel Barclay has to his credit the longest service by a member of the brigade in the British Dominions overseas.

On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Bullivant, it was decided to place on record the splendid work being accomplished by the Gisborne nursing division under the leadership of Miss W. Lysnar, the Turanganui ambulance division under Mr. C. E. Bickford, the cadet ambulance division under the leadership of Mr. H. Wade, and in the organisation of the special classes for emergency training.

Local Organisations’ Interest

The secretary reported that he had given lectures to Seventh Day Adventist Church members, Boy Scouts, and the Boys’ Brigade. He further stated that the members ol' those organisations had promised their assistance to the St. John Ambulance when required. The ambulance transport officer submitted his quarterly report, which stated that 74 patients had been conveyed and 1548 miles traversed, while 21 hospital nurses had accompanied patients during that period. The report also stated that the ambulance was in need of an extensive overhaul. The chairman stated that he was keeping in close contact with all officers, giving every assistance required in the extra work at present entailed in the running of emergency classes, and also was watching the financial position with a view to eliminating any unnecessary expense.