A Selfless Service

The true spirit of helpfulness towards others is found in the Railway Ambulance Divisions, the members of which give voluntary trained assistance in case of accident, not only “on the job” but in the street and on the playing field. We are indebted to Mr. W. F. Ashman, Divisional Secretary of the Hillside (Dunedin) Railway Ambulance, for the following notes from that Division, also for a report enclosed from the No. 1 Locomotive Ambulance Division, which we have pleasure in reproducing. A movement such as this deserves every encouragement and support.

Briefly, ambulance work involves a knowledge of the structure and functions of the human body, combined with the ability to render immediate skilled attention to persons who have suffered injury. The object is to apply, as speedily as possible, those methods of treatment of specific injuries which facilitate the work of the doctor (should the case require his attention) and the patient's ultimate recovery.

Apart from a temporary suspension of activities during the period of the Great War, the history of the Railway Ambulance Brigade at Hillside dates back for more than twenty years. The first Superintendent of the Division was Mr. W. Connor. Upon Mr. Connor's resignation Mr. A. Peters was elected Superintendent, a position he held in a thorough and painstaking manner for five years.

The Division's first public duty in the field was undertaken during the Duke of York's visit to Dunedin in 1927, when over 200 cases were treated. Since that date the Division has made steady progress in its unselfish work for humanity.

With the idea of fostering efficiency in first-aid work, the Hillside Division has taken part in the Ambulance District Competitions which are held annually in the main centres of the Dominion, and also in the Inter-district Competitions, held at Auckland at Easter time, and in the South Island on Labour Day. At all of these competitions the Hillside Division has been able to hold its own, being keen competitors for all events. In 1931, at Auckland, the Division gained the Gaze Challenge Cup, and were second in the Gracie Memorial Cup. Last year the Gaze Cup was again won, and also the Intercolonial Cup, and a second prize in another event.

A feature of the Carnival procession held recently at Inglewood, Taranaki. The motor lorry on which the above advertisement was displayed was pleasingly decorated and supplied to the Railways Department free of charge by Mr. P. Curd, carrier, Inglewood.

At Auckland, five separate events were held for Ambulance men, comprising team bandage work, stretcher drill, roller bandage work, mine accidents, and improvising team work.

The local Competition of the Otago District has already been keenly contested, the McGeorge Cup, Improvising Trophy, Novice Cup, Officers’ Cup, and Roller Bandage Trophy all being won at different times since 1927. At the present time the Division also holds a Cup from the Christchurch District.

The public duty activities of the Division have gradually increased in recent years, the football field and skating rink receiving most of the attention. The following figures shew the number of accidents attended since 1927:—(1927), 4,600; (1928), 4,314; (1929), 3,554; (1930), 3,412; (1931), 2,623; (1932), 1,592. In 1932, 160 football matches were attended, and much useful work was done by the Division.

Besides this work, members of the Division go out as instructors to other organisations (Boy Scouts, Boys’ Brigade, Fire Brigade, etc.).

At the present time the Division is under the control of Mr. Thompson (as Superintendent), Mr. Swanson (First Officer), and Mr. Ashman (Secretary and Cadet Superintendent). These officers are putting their full heart into the work and are achieving most gratifying results.

The Cadet movement (attached to the Division in 1929) has shown steady progress, and to-day its roll stands at thirty-five. The children are given training in first-aid work, and upon reaching eighteen years of age they step up to the Senior Division. They shew great keenness in their studies, and their competitions have given tangible proof of a good all-round knowledge of ambulance work.