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with the special object of rescuing a portion of these infants from an untimely death. As there already existed a Chinese Mission Society supported chiefly by men, the new association assumed the title of "Women's Association" in contradistinction.
From an early record it would appear that the Rev. Mr. Neumann and his wife reached Hongkong in 1851, and took a house near Morrison Hill for the new Foundling Hospital. These good people were extremely surprised not to find large numbers of deserted children perishing in the streets, but nevertheless, by sending to the mainland, succeeded in obtaining 12 girls from one to six years of age. Unfortunately, however, for the progress of the new hospital, the health of Mr. Neumann made it necessary that he should return to Europe. The children were then left to the sole care of Miss Lisette Hagel.
ILLUSTRATION.
After some time had elapsed, a Mr. Ladendorf arrived in the Colony to superintend the hospital. Owing to sickness among the inmates, a new site was chosen close to the site now occupied by the present Government Civil Hospital, but as this also proved unsuitable, the Foundling Hospital moved back to Morrison Hill.
After a further search for a more suitable site, Mr. Ladendorf finally resolved upon and erected a hospital building on the Pokfulum Road, having previously bought the lot for $150. The building cost $16,000, of which $4,000 was collected in Hongkong and the balance sent from Berlin. In 1860, the children up to the number of 16, removed from Morrison Hill to their new home.
The spiritual wants of the hospital were attended to by the Rev. Mr. Hanspatch then attached to the Basel Mission.
The excavation of Morrison Hill in connexion with the Praya East Reclamation twelve years ago, removed the last traces of the original Foundling Home.
After the move to Pokfulum the Home appears to have developed into what was generally known as the Bethany Mission, and there was apparently a later move, for the associated Berlin Mission had up to the time of the Great War in 1914, a building above Hospital Road, which had been in use for a good many years, so it seems that the place had two major moves, from Morrison Hill to Pokfulum, and from there to Taipingshan.
Can this be the place shown in the old print?
It also appears that in the beginning the Home was associated with the Rhenish Mission, and at a later stage came under the control of the Berlin Mission.
On the outbreak of the War, the Berlin Mission premises at Taipingshan were taken over by the Custodian of Enemy Property, and were in due course acquired for use as the original Police Training School, which was later moved to Mongkok.