ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Opotiki News, Volume X, Issue 1046, 14 November 1947, Page 2

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

ASSOCIATION 1 FORMED WELL-ATTENDED MEETING WHAKATANE VISITORS’ HELP VOLUNTEERS REQUIREDThe public meeting called by the Mayor, Mr. T. ,G. Johnson for the purpose of forming a St. John Ambulance Brigade was attended by about fifty persons. Those present beside the, mayor, who was in the chair, included several members of the Opotiki Hospital Board, Drs. 0. S. James and D. Meredith, Miss Gillespie, Matron of the Opotiki Hospital, and about fifteen representatives from the Whakatanc St. John -Association and Brigade.

In welcoming these visitors, Mr. Johnson expressed his thanks to them for their advice and also for their offer of future assistance. Whakatane had the finest system of any brigade in New Zealand and Opotiki hoped to pattern its brigade cn the same lines. The matter had been in his mind for a long time, and he had received a letter from Mr. Ramson 18 months ago asking him and Dr. Janies for their support. There had been a lot of talk about buying an ambulance but to get an ambulance without a brigade-'Was like buying a horse with no saddle or bridle to put on it. He recalled that some years ago a man with an ordinary fracture was moved, and what was aii ordinary fracture became a compound fracture because he was not handled by men who knew how to handle a patient. There was a need for women to train so as to accompany the ambulance ou cases involving female patients.

Mr. Johnson then called on Mr. Carling, vice chairman of the Whakatane Association, and Mr. Ramson, superintendent of the AVhakatanc Brigade, to outline' requirements for the formation of a brigade. Both these gentlemen gave very interesting and instructive addresses, the main, .points of which will appear in next issue.

Mr. Johnson, said that both Dr. James and Dr. Meredith and Miss Gillespie had offered their ‘services and would be of great assistance to the brigade.

It was moved by Mr. D. L. Abbot and seconded by Mr. J. D‘. Clark that an association bo formed.— Carried. Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. T. C. Johnson. Chairman, Mr. C. G. Calvert. . Secretary, Mr. W. R. Payne.

Committee: Dr. James, Dr. Meredith, - Miss Gillespie, Mrs. Morell, Mrs. Stott, Mr. J. Talbot, Major Jones, Mr. A. J. Stitt, Mr. D. L. A.bbot, Mr. Partridge, Mr. East, Mr. W. Maxwell, Rev. Clements, Mr. G. Bruton, Mr. A, R. Stott, and Mr. A. Nicol. Mr. Johnson thanked those present for their attendance. It was good to see so many interested in St. John Ambulance. Mr. East moved a vote of thanks to the Whakatane members for their help ill forming a branch of the association. There were a lot in Opotiki who took Red Cross work and there was also a branch of Registered Nurses’ Association. Mr, Clark would be able to find some of the old equipment.

The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. Two donations of £l were received from Mr. Kemp and from Mr. Johnson, and all future donations will be acknowledged. Volunteers are required for those willing to serve on the brigade which will probably be commencing classes early in the-new year.

Already some have volunteered, and a squad of Maori volunteers is assured.