ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 998, 14 June 1930, Page 6

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

BRIGADE HAS BUSY WORKING YEAR FINANCIAL POSITION SOUND A donation of £5,500 from the Auckland Savings Bank. A campaign for funds, resulting in a net return of £1,583. A financial surplus for the year of £7,099. THESE, are some of the outstanding items in the 3Sth annual report of the St. John Ambulance Association. The Savings Bank’s gift has enabled the committee to improve the building and to add greatly to the facilities for carrying on the work. The campaign for funds was carried out in August by the Mayoress, Mrs. Campbell, assisted by officers and m?mbers. of the brigade and by other men and women. Tho report records a number of alterations to the building. A small office at the front has been converted into a casualty room, where minor cases may be treated. The orderly room has been enlarged to provide for the increased number of members. A room on the first floor, formerly used as; a waiting-room, is now a medical comforts depot. Crutches and other appliances are issued from it. An outpatients’ room has become the office of the centre.

Comfortable quarters have been provided on the third floor for the chief transport officer, and a fine lectureroom has been built. The first-aid, home hygiene and home nursing lectures were attended by 1,041 pupils. The majority of the pupils gained certificates or other awards of the association. The lectures were given at the Auckland and Epsom Girls’ Grammar Schools, Takapuna Grammar School. Queen Victoria School, Te Aroha, Waihi, Hamilton and Pukekob o Technical High Schools, Matamata Junior High School, and at Epsom, Hamilton. Onehunga, Onehunga Eire Station. Salvation Army. Gisborne, Huntly, Whangarei, Thames, Chelsea, Dargaville. Frankton Junction, Papakura and Taumarunui. District nurses paid 9,238 visits to patients during the year, and applied 1,467 dressings to out-patients. The nursing year was a particularly busy one, anil more nurses are required. The ambulance transport officers made three runs to Thames, one to Te Awamutu, several to Papakura, one to Pukekohe, and one to Ramarama. On an emergency run to Papakura the brigade covered the distance in 24 minutes. The officers attended 1,44"> patients and travelled nearly 15,000 miles. One new ambulance has been added to the fleet find another has been provided with a new chassis. There are now four ambulances, all in perfect order. The capital fund has been increased by an anonymous donation of £IOO and by two legacies of £2OO and £4O respectively.

The annual meeting will be held next Wednesday, when the report is to be presented.