:
394
SAINT JOHN AMBULANCE
ASSOCIATION.
RE-ORGANISATION OF THE LOCAL BRANCH.
On Wednesday, the 14th inst., at noon a public meeting was held in the City Hall for the purpose of re-organising the local branch of the Saint John Ambulance As- sociation and appointing a committee. H.E. the Governor (Sir Henry Blake, G.C.M.G.) presided, and he was supported by H.E. Major- General Gascoigne, C.M.G., Viscount Suirdale, the Hon. J. J. Keswick, and the Rev. R. F. Cobbold, local hon. sac. There were also pre- sent, among others, Dr. Clark, Major M. J. Whitty, R.A.M.C., Major S. F. Clark, R.A.M.C. Rev. W. Banister, and Mr. Hamilton Sharp. A lette: had been received from Sir John Car- rington expressing regret that through illness he was unable to attend.
THE HONGKONG WEEKLY PRESS AND
tion.
His EXCELLENCY then said-I am sorry there is not a larger attendance here to day, for I hope that a large number of the general community will take an interest in this excellent association-the Saint John Ambulance Associa- The object of the association is to train as large a number of the com. munity as possible so that they will be able medical man can be summoned. This has been to render first aid until such time as a
found of great importance and of enor- mous servic. both at home and abroad.
may say that the association has sent out a large number-about 500-to the war in South Africa, where they have been of Very great assistance. I can quite understand people in Hongkong not realising the necessity for such knowledge as that which the association seeks to impart. We know that at most of Police Stations here there is an ambulance. The idea is that if we can get a branch sufficiently large and collect a certain amount in fees wo would in the first place establish one or Επο ambulance stations in the town which might be of use in the event of accident. There is another thing which I think the society might take up, and that is the dissemination of a know edge of how to treat the apparently drowned. I remember one day last year I was out in my launch when another launch
came alongside with
gary
Д
[November 17, 1900.
worthy of public support. The advantage of it will be found year by year as we go on. The proceedings then terminated.
THE CATHEDRAL ORGAN RECITAL.
On Wednesday evening Mr. A. G. Ward gave J delightful organ recital in St. John's Cathedral after the evensong service. The programme consisted of seven numbers, two being vocal solos by Mr. Alec Marsh, and the remainder organ pieces. The first
was а
The
Fantasia and Fugue in G Minor (J. S. Bach), a difficult piece, which was played with much skill by Mr. Ward. It was followed by an Allegretto in B Minor (Guilmant), a pleasing variation from the preceding piece, and then Mr. Marsh sang the Aria God, have mercy," from Mendelssohn's "St. Paul." He was in excellent voice, and gave a splendid rendering of this beautiful peti. tion, with organ accompaniment. following numbers, "Sonata da Camera" (Peace), being Allegro-Andante Cantabile- Allegro Maestoso; "Benedictus" (Mackenzie), with Schubert's tuneful "Senerado," allowed full scope and he gave a very sympathetic and masterly for the organist's skill and technique,
execution of the productions of the respective { composers. The ability of Mr. Ward as an present consequently anticipated and appreciat- ed his performance. The instrument was also in good condition, and readily answered the expression of the player, in the forte parts filling the cathedral with a volume of sound, and in the pianissimo passages charming its hearers with sweetness of tone. The "Serenade" was especially pleasing. Mr. Alec Marsh then sang Parker's Jerusalem," and he, with the many excellent solos he has given us since he has been in our midst, has sung fow better. As in his first solo, his expression and interpretation of the language and music of the composer was that of a master. He sang exceedingly well and his rich baritone voice was heard to much advantage, especially in the second solo. programme was brought to a conclusion by a Festal March" (J. B. Calkin), a very pretty piece arranged for the organ by Mr. A. G. Ward. There was a good attendance and a collection was taken on behalf of the Choir. Fund, which realised only $84.03, a small amount considering the attendance, the enter- tainment, and the laudable object of the colleo- tion.
The Rev. R. F. COBBOLD, after reading the notice convening the meeting, said he took upon himself to ask His Excellency the Governor to occupy the chair that day because he was eminently the right person to do so, not only in respect of his posi- tton in the colony but because he held the very honourable position of Knight of Justice of the Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem in England. He had been ask- a gentleman on board who had been bath-organist is generally recognised, and those ed to explain to the meeting briefly the posi-ing and who had sunk and was very near tion in which the local branch of the asso-being drowned. Happily he recovered, and ciation now found itself. Very nearly seven it struck me at the time that every years ago Dr. Cantley, who was well known to launch in Hongkong ought to have a copy all Hongkong residents as an enthusiastic of the leaflet disseminated by the Saint John supporter and worker in connection with the Ambulance Association showing exactly what Saint John Ambulance Association, asked him ought to be done in the event of people being to undertake the duties of honorary secretary taken out of the water after having been in Hongkong. He asked him what the duties immersed for some time. Now it is neces- consisted of, and got the reply Oh there is nothing whatever to do." Consequently he said he would do the work, and he must admit he had done it very indifferently, becauso instead of having a properly organised local association they found themselves with only two members of the old committee-Mr. Keswick and himself. However, they had kept a record of the classes held and of the lecturers and examiners, who, he was happy to say, had in every case given their services freely from their love of the work, and they had kept an account of their receipts and expenditure. The re- ceipts were very small. They consisted of small fees or no fees at all paid by those who had at- tended the classes. The expenditure had been a contribution to the Central Office at home, which it was always customary for the branches of the association to make, and the purchase of some apparatus for the lectures, such as bandages, splints, etc. During the last six years eleven courses of instruction had been given-five to members of the Police, four to mambers of the Hongkong Volunteers, one to a civil class, and one to a class of women and girlsorganised by Miss
were awarded.
the third
year.
we are to do anything that committee should be appointed, and after the committee has beeu appointed we should meet at some future time and try to in- dace the public to take a little more interest in this matter and to show them the advantage of attending a course of lectures which I have no doubt the medical gentlemen in the colony will be glad to deliver, as I have always found that in cases of this kind the medical fraternity are always ready to come forward and render assistance freely. Mr. Cobbold tells me it is customary for those who attend the lec- tures to make a donation, but there is no fee. An invitation is given to everybody to attend, and if they attend three courses of lectures and acquire sufficient knowledge from what they have heard for three years running then they will be entitled to receive a medallion such as has been granted to the three gentle- inen to-day who have attended the stipulated course of lectures.
|
HOME LIFE OF CHINESE WOMEN.
CONFERENCE AT SHANGHAI,
The
According to our Shanghai morning contem- The Hon. J. J. KESWICK proposed the following as committee:-H. E. the Governor, gathering of ladies from all parts of China into porary, advantage is being taken of the enforced
and president
chairman; H. General Gascoigne, C.M.G.. and Sir John Carmen's Conference for consideration of the Home E. Major the safe refuge of Shanghai to convene a Wo- rington, C.M.G.._vico-presidents; Sir Thomas Life of the Women of China. It is proposed Jackson, Deputy Instructor General T. Bolster. to hold meetings on the 19th, 21st and 23rd, M.D.R.M., Lient.-Col. Hughes, P.M.O., Dr. J. from 10-12 a.m., when addresses will be de- M. Atkinson. P.C.M.O., Dr. Steadman, the livered and discussion invited upon:-1-The Hon. J. J. Keswick, and the Rev. R. F. Cobbold, treatment of children, daughters-in-law, and H. E. the MAJOR-GENERAL, in seconding. slave girls; 2-Footbinding and early ba- said -I can only say that if I have the honour trothals: 3—Marriage, funeral and social cus- toms. The final meeting will be open to men of being elected I shall be very glad indeed
as well.
An invitation was sent by the Com- to render all possible service I can to the association. I do not at this moment know much mittee to Lady Blake at Hongkong to preside over the Conference, as she is known to be most about the subject, because it is more or less now to me, but if elected I should like to get deeply interested in all manners and customs It of Chinese women, and Lady Blake has left hold of a book on the subject and study it. seems to me that this is a matter which may be for Shanghai by the Konig Albert. The Con- of great public utility, and that it is a thing ference is convened by a Committee consisting which should be encouraged in every way. I of Mrs. Merrill, Mrs. Gilbert Reid, Mrs. Time- can answer for the medical officers in my com- thy Richard, Mrs., Hare, Mrs. Little, Miss mand that they will be willing to do all they Mackenzie, Miss Murray, Miss Richardsen. can in the way of giving instruction.
Miss Mitchell, Mrs. Symons, and Mrs. Arch- deacon Thomson. The motion was carried.
Eyre, in charge of the Baxter Mission School. As the result of these eleven classes 148 prizes It appeared that it had not always boon known that in order to qualify for a medallion the examination in first aid must be passed three years in succession. It was an unfortunate circumstance that this had not been generally known. Consequently one or txo gentlemen had passed examinations two years in succession and then owing to their ignorance of the regulations or possibly to their absence from the colony they had not presented themselvs
It was now desired to re-organise the branch here. There would be, as Dr. Cantley said, nothing at all for the committes to do, but they wanted enthusiasm and a general interest spread, in this very excellent work. He was once invit- ing gentlemen to attend a class for lectures when ons gentleman whom he approached replied. "Oh, no; I won't come; I don't see that it will do me any good." Of course the natural answer to that was that it was not
On the motion of the Hon J. J. KESWICK, because of the good it would do him that heseconded by the Rev. R. F. CORBOLD, a vote of asked him to join the class but because of the thanks was accorded the Governor for presiding good it would enable him to do to other people ¦ His EXCELLENCY-Thank you very much. I He then called upon His Excellency to prossut hope our next meeting will be a larger one, and the certificates and medallions.
The recipients of medallions were Messrs. L. Brett, H. R. Hance, and A. P. Nobbs, the recipients of certificates being Messrs. J. H. Mody, Geo. Tuohy, and A. L. Sutton.
Shanghai papers report an impressive com- memorative ceremony on Monday, the 5th inst.. at St. Joseph's Church, French Concession, in honour of all Roman Catholics, foreign and native, that before we come to the conclusion to call a who were victims of the Boxers. A large force second meeting we shall have been able to stir of French infantry, artillery, and marines was a certain amount of public interest in this mat-present, and Germany was also represented by ter and get a large number of outsiders to at- troops. The service lasted a little over one tend, because I am quite sure the society is well hour.
Page 10Page 11
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.