ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 May 1919, Page 4

ST. JOHN’S AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

The meeting of the newly-formed! *5 St. John’s Ambulance Association was held in the supper-room of the Town Hall last night, there being 45 ladies and seven gentlemen present. Mr JP. Aldridge occupied the chair. The chairman said the present was the most important meeting that had boon hold for some time. There were no doubts about the admirable achieve- ‘ meats of the St. John’s Ambulance'' in the past, and good work it had done in the great war. This district was situated far out, and such an association was much required. The unfortunate accident which occurred on the railway line had brought vividly home to us the great necessity of an amb\w lance. The ambulance appliances usoa on Wednesday was probably not the most suitable, and St. Johli’s Ambulance was established for just such an emergency. B'nt it was not only intended for the conveyance of the injured,, but for their care afterwards. The work of the Association appealed particularly to women, and the Chairman instanced the good work done by one woman at the recent railway accident —• Miss Madden, of Mataroa. Women were always wanted in cases of emergency. There was something peculiar about a woman’s touch; it was always softer and more sympathetic than a man’s. Apart from cases of accidents, the Chairman stressed the importance, and necessity for training in home ing. Coming down to the business side of the Association, Mr Aldridge said it was necessary to put it on a sound business footing to enable the work to be don e to the best advantage, and it, was for that purpose the meeting had been called.

Mr Swindells outlined what had been done at the initial meeting, and sug=rfr gested that the resolution passed thereat, appointing a committee, bfe rescinded, and the proceedings started afresh.

This course was agreed to, and the following committee were appointed;—• Ladies Committees: Mesdames Timbs, Jobliu, Emerson, Arms, Wright, Lawson, and Miss Gordon. Men’s Committee: Rev. W. F. Stent, and Messrs Burrell, Swindells, A. Bennett, Hartley, Aldridge, and a seventh member to be appointed later. Miss Gordon was appointed secretary of the home nursing classes, and Mr P; Swindells was elected general secretary.

The offer of the Fire Brigade for the, use of their hall free of charge for lectures and demonstrations was accepted with thanks.

It was decided that all the local doctors bo written to. asking for their assistance in furthering the work of the 'Association.

The matter of the doctors’ services and of nights for lectures, etc., was left in the hands of the Committee to arrange, a report to be submitted the members of the Association at a meeting, the date of which due notice will be given. , The subscription was placed at 5/, with an extra 2/0 for examination.

■ A hearty vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting..