ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 11 June 1920, Page 1

ST JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION

IN SOUTH WESTLAND

(Contributed.), . . , The initial stages of the association's objective, by the provision of Ambuijmee instructions, “First Aid to the Injured,” Home nursing, hygiene, took effect in South Westland last week The districts visited were Wataroa, Hari Hari, and Waitaha. The organising lecturer, Mr T. West of the Te Kinga sub-centre, a branch which i* established by the Centre in Christchurch to disburso the objective of St JohVi Ambulance Association to all the farming, saw milling, and mining districts and persons residng in the isolated communities of the West Coast. The success achieved in the districts names, (the keenness of the settlers in supporting the initial steps of the organisation by thpir moral actions o r financial assistance) is worthy of the highest comment.

flie public instructions at Hari Hari and Waitaha, excelled the expectations of the lecturer by the attendance of persons at the lectures. Quite a number of private demonstrations, were also given, “How to control arterial hae morirhage, caused through incised wounds.” Owing to the great scattered area of country at Wataroa, nr public demonstration was given, but satisfactory arrangemejnts have been completed on a concrete basis to enable the instructions to be given on the next visit of the lecturer.

At the conclusion of all meetings complimentary remarks were paid to the. objective of the organisation and the well wishers of the settlers were demonstrated by acclamation, for the success of the St. John. Association, for its entrance into South Westland. Tlie tang ible success which was achieved by the lecturer, is responsible to the energies of Messrs Hewer, White, Martin and Lucas, these gentlemen residing ’n the districts which were visited.

The lecturer paid complimentary tributes of expression to the settlers ai Hari Hari and Wataroa, for their efforts in trying, by collective and mutual to try and safeguard themselves by the establishment • f medical funds locally managed which provides the cost of transport of per sons in sickness or accident and the provision of surgical dressings. At Wataroa extending further south, the action of Westland Hospital Bo tr:l by providing the maintenance of a surgical nurse, the settlers to provide housing accommodation for the nurse, so that the realisation of the objective, in trying to afford skilled assistance to persons in sickness or accident may V? achieved. The extreme isolation which persons are domiciled under calls for initiative of the institutions mentioned, along with the objective of St. John Ambulance Association. By the collective interest of the persons in South Westland a Jong felt want will he established.

The lecturer will shortly be commencing his campaign of instruction to all districts of this nature in Westland. The sub-centre is also organising a fund of management which will enable this work to be clone also disbursing the objective to all schools in country districts, along with the saw milling and mining industries, and the establishment of country surgical Depot stations and with the great activity of ambulance organisation which is now being displayed in the northern part of the district, it appears that the West Coast is going to have one cO m prehensive ambulance- organisation, b,\ the co-operated action of all branches. The fact which is not be lost sight of is the efficiency of town centres, under the gt. John Association. How much more necessary is it for this efficiency to exist in the country districts, and with the activity of the sub-centre named, co-operating -with the other branches, the realisation of a great objective to South Westland and similar districts will become an accomplished fact.