ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 89, 1 May 1937, Page 3

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Our Own Correspondent.)

Annuai Meeting of Waipawa Branch

(From-

WAIPAWA, This Day. There was only a moderate attendance at the annuai meeting of the Waipawa' branch of St. John Ambulance Brigade, held last evening. In the unavvoidable absence of the president, Mr. W. J. Wood, Dr. Norris was voted to the chair. Apologies for non-attend-ance wero tendered on .behalf of Mrs. N. J. McHay and Messrs. Eagle and Yates. Mr. W. J. Wood who has been president ' since the inception of the •branch, resigned his position owing to his having left the district. — It waa deeided to record in the minutes the assoeiation's appreciation of his services, and to present him With a copy of ' ' The History of the Order. ' ' ■ The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: — President, Mr. N. J. McKay; hon. secretary, Miss E. Pellow; superintendent lirst-aid, Mr. B. Hutchings; superintendent home nursing, Miss W. Tonkin. There was some. diseussion as to the advisability of caTrying on the iirst-aid and home nursing classes during the coming winter in yiew of the decreased membership. , Mr. Spargo under took to bring np several members for first-aid from Otane each week, and Miss Tonkin will .endeavour to arrange a Tioihe nursing class at Otane in additiqn to the one at Waipawa. , ,It was resolved, subject to there being sufficient members, to hold the home nursing classes on Monday even|ngs ' and the first-aid on Tuesday nights. Certificates were presented to Misses J. McKay, N. Jull, B. Juli and Mr. D. Chalmers.

A vote of thanks was, passed to Miss E. Pellow for her servic'es'as secretary. In moving a vote of thanks to Drs. Sdiith and,Norris for their interest in the work of the branch, Mr. Hutchings said that their help was largely responsible for the success which had been achieved. . Annuai Eeport. The annuai report reqd as follows: — During the past year the work of the asspciation has been steadily ■ carried on, classes being held in botii first-aid and home nursing. The number of candidates for the classes was disappointing, only one male member and three ladies presenting themselves for exami nation. Your executive committee realise that it is inevitable in a small placo that after a few years the number of candidates offering should diminish, but it is a serious matter from the viewpoint of the brigade that more men are not qualifying for active membership. We would urge memhers to make every endeavour to increase the member and train efficiently as a centre for the work of the order. We are glad to report, liowever, the continued interest shown by the older members of the" association, who are now members of ambulance and nursing divisio'n. Five H.N. certificates, three medallioqs and two vouchers Wero gained, in addition to the year's labels on re-examination. , Finance is in a ,'good position. A .loss was shown on the year's working of £2 15/5, due to the dfop in receipls of ;efi'orts on behalf of funds. Tliere is a sum of £11 17/6 to credit of gendral account in 'the bank. The executive also have in hand at close of -year the sum of £5 13/8 to the credit of the fund for assistance of ex-soldiers. Several" appljcations have lately been received for assistance which will " deplete the balauce. From timo to tinie other auiounts will bo received, and your executive welcoines applieation^ on behalf of returned men for assistance from this fund. * I desire". to express thanks of the association to our honorary surgeons for their continued interest in the work, as this is in ,a large measure responsible for the success undoubtedly achieved by the association in our district.