MOTOR AMBULANCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17692, 1 August 1919, Page 3

MOTOR AMBULANCE

NEW CAR FOR ST. JOHN ASSOCIATION.

lho ISdith Cavoll ambulance liaving been tuunU somewhat, unsuitable m eeruun ways, a numbir ol citizuiib, who stipulate that 011 "amos arc not to Lc disclosed, subscribed a mini suitioiunt, to .puroliuso a new ambulance. 'i'lio ambulance 13 a particularly 11110 motor voliicle. 'i'lio engine is oi iij n.p., and tlio vuliiolc is iittwi with all the necessary ambulance equipment, The association hits now a louith umbidanco to oopo witli the many calls lor transport of sick and iiooidcuit casos. At tho headquarters of tlio association yesterday alternoon ulio executive was met by the donors of tho new ambulance, and it was torixniily taken possession of by Mr J. Roberts on behalf of the association. IVIr Roborts, ia acknowledging tho giit, strongly sti eased tho point that it would not bo long before ifc would bo necessary to procuro another motor ambulance and discard the horse traction entirely. He felt eeitaiii that when called upon the citizens would roaduy respond in the sanio manner as they had already dono. A resume of the work of tlio association during tho past 30 years may not be out of placo at tho present time. "" In 1899 tlio Ambulanco Association was formed in Dunedin, and for tho first 15 years of ita existence it confined its activities to the teaching of first aid to the injured and home nursing. The ambulance transport of sick and accident cases was taken charge of by tho association in 1904 with ono horse ambulance, which did good service lor live yours, conveying 1500 cases. In 1909 tho Dunedin Jockey Club made a donation of £50 to the association funds, on tho understanding that a second ambulance be procured and that it should be available for use at the race meetings. This undertaking has been carried out by tho association from that time up to date. During tho period from 1909 till 1916, with two ambulances, 4200 cases were atteiH '. d to. The period 1917-18 marked a further advance in the transport service. In memory of Nurse Cavell a sum of moiiioy was raisod and the Nurse Cavell Ambulance was handed to the Hospital Board, which placed it .in custody of the association to assist in its transport Work. In tho last two years ended March 1919, 1700 cases have been transported. The other branch of the association's work, the district nursing, has Been one of advance since its inauguration. In 1907 there .'was one district nurse; in 1915 two district nurses. At tho present time there are throe distriot nurses and voluntary assistants. Tho association has also placed first aid hampers and stretchers in numerous places in tlio district in charge of persons qualified to uso the same. With the sympathy a,nd help of the citizens- of Dunedin the St. John Ambulance Association has been enabled during its 30 years of existonoe to help in no small degree in tho amelioration of pain and suffering in tho community.