ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 81, 6 April 1900, Page 2

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION.

The report of the hon, secretary (Mrs* Oollis) of the New Plymouth Centre of St. John Ambulance Aesocihtim, which was presented at the recent annual mseting, after referring to the presentation in January by the Governor and Lady Ranfurly of certificates to members, went on to say:—"The reason* of partial failure in the inland towns are variously attributed to sickness and severe weather, the litter most frequently accounting for non-attendance. But one instance of pluck and perseverance in overcoming difficulties ol distance and weather deserves to be recorded —that of ayoanglady residing ten mika from Inglewood, who hid to travel that distance on horseback, and never missed a lecture. It is lathei singular that in three towns, where a 1 good start was mad°, the work afterwards suffered from the temporary retirement of the secretary, owing to serious il'ncss, infiuerzi having been exceedingly prevalent. In some cases tha resources of the medical men who rori6bntrd to lecture were taxed to the utmost, notably at Eltham, where tber< was only one doctor to lecture to the two cW8"8; but having an excellent, secretary in the young minister of the Anglican Church, who bad some previous knowledgu of the work in tht Oid Country, the practical work w;itkept well in l aud duiing any casual professional iwtenup:ioris. [Allusion was here in ide to Ihe nocd tor a secret try for the Centre, Mrs Oollis intimating that she hold the position only till a successor will be found, and that failing health might compel her to resign.] Our hearty thanks aro due to all the medioal men, botli in town and country, who have so succossfulh lectured to the various classes, and who also have rendered valuable service as examiners. The fact that 225 certificates and medallions have been awarded as the result of three years' work speaks for itself of the excellent charaoter of the instruction given. . . . This total of 225 entered in our register is divided thus:—lo4 during the two years under Auckland Centre and 121 since the formation of New Plymouth Centre a year ago. The sub-division of the latter number is: New Plymouth, certificates and second year vouchers, 53 ; medallions, 13. Frankley Road (suburb), certificates first year, 16. Inglewood,. Stratford, and Eltham, certificates first year, 39; otal, 121. . . . The early for-

mation of an ambulance corps and a nursing corps should at once have the thoughtful attention of the members. But the necessary material and appliances are at present beyond our means, and this should be a' fitting occasion for making known our needs.

. . . Immediate donations would be mostgratefullyaccepted. . . . The executive have authorised the hon. secretary to make another special effort to organise in as many towns as possible, and this wid be shortly attended to." In after-remarks, grateful tribute was paid to the invaluable services rendered to the Centre by Mr. VV. ftatfc ay, Secretary of Auckland Centre.