VENERABLE ORDER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 534, 11 December 1928, Page 18

VENERABLE ORDER

WORK OF ST. JOHN AMBULANCE RESERVE DIVISION DINNER “You know our order is a venerable one, but its venerableness would not keep it alive. Its work must keep it alive, and it was because of that work the order had not only survived but had secured a place iu many communities all over the world.” This very apt reference to the spirit of the St. John Ambulance was made by the commissioner, Mr. C. J. Tunks, at the annual dinner of the National Reserve Division of the St. John Ambulance last evening. The acting-divisional superintendent, Mr. W. J. Elliott, presided over an attendance of about 100 members and friends. The commissioner also referred to the forthcoming visit of delegates from St. John's Gate to inspect the working of the order in New Zealand. It was possible that a cloister or a priory might follow their visit. This would give more power and increased standing to the local order. One of the delegates would be Sir John Hewart, who held the office of .Bailiff of Eagle, the fifth position in the order. Among the toasts honoured were those of “The Auckland Corps,” proposed by Corporal A. E. Mueller and responded to by district-officer A. W. Probert “The Nursing Division,” proposed by Corporal S. N. Tilton, and replied to by the divisional-superin-tendent, Mrs. Cammel), and “Supporters of the Division,” proposed by the Rev. R. G. Coats, the honorary chaplain, and responded to by Mr. R. Bailey. During the evening the presentation of a five years’ service certificate was made to Sergeant A. C. Marks by the commissioner, and medals were presented to the winners of the E. Jones Shield, Messrs. W. F. Dean, F. K. Stewart, H. Duck and Morgan, by the senior divisional superintendent, Mr. F. J. Hutchinson.