VOLUNTARY AIDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1941, Page 2

VOLUNTARY AIDS

COMMANDANT’S VISIT. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES. On Saturday afternoon Sister Collins, Commandant for Wellington District Voluntary Aids attached to the Order of St. John, paid a visit of inspection to Masterton. She was met by Mrs H. E. Pither, president. Miss Whitehouse, superintendent of the Nursing Division, and Miss B. Barnett, matron of Masterton Hospital, was also present. Forty trained Voluntary Aids were present and Sister Collins expressed great pleasure at seeing such a large detachment. She spoke about the value of the training and its importance in the community at the present time. Special interest was taken in Sister Collins's remarks about the activities of the detachments in Wellington City and the need for Aids to staff the new clearing hospital now in the process of erection on Aotea Quay. An informal discussion took place about matters dealing with uniform, drill and divisional work.

Miss Barnett briefly outlined the cookery and laundry training, stressing their importance in emergency hospital work.

Mrs A. F. Stewart was appointed Commandant for the Masterton District and Miss Whitehouse Deputy Commandant. The Misses N. Morrison, J. Douglas, J. Tregutha were appointed group leaders. Sister Collins then presented certificates to the Voluntary Aids present, congratulating them on the high standard of their work. Miss Whitehouse, on behalf of those present, thanked Sister Collins for visiting the Voluntary Aid Detachment and for her interesting talk. Afternoon tea concluded a very pleasant gathering. The detachment of Voluntary Aids will parade on Anzac Day with members of the E.P.S. and will meet in Essex Street.