3
July 23, 1906.]
His Excellency, who was accompanied by his A. D. C., Captain Smith, was received by the Hon. Dr. Ho Kai, Dr. Pearce, and Dr. Mit- chell, the superintendent, and escorted to the main entrance, where the formal proceedings took place. Dr. l'earce presided. Among those present were the Bishop of Victoria, robdeacon Bannister, Revs. J. H. France. C. Bone, Barnett, C. H. Hickling, Stephens, Hon. Mr. W. Chatham, Hon. Dr. Clark, Hon, Mr. A. W. Brewin, Captain Anderson, Lieut. Sumner, Drs. Jordan, Forsyth, Mr. A. H. Crooks, Lady Villiers Hattor, Lady Piggott, Directors of the Tung Wah Hospital,
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CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
39
the east of the servants' quarters is an isolation | is coming when the women of China will was originally established in the year 1887, and I ward, with ventilated roof, large windows, and have their full share in all kindly ministries believe then, as now, had 33 beds. In 1893 the cement concrète floors. Under the eastern, of healing that tend to sweeten and to brighten Nethersole Hospital WBS opened and main ward is a storey which contains a well human life and to make it worth living. The provided 35 beds, and in 1904 the Alice fitted up dispensary, dispenser's room, store old time word "benevolence", a keyword in Memorial was provided with some addi. room, attendants' room, and a large room Chinese ethics, is destined to undergo processes tional bels for special cises. Well, in will be suitable for a recreation and reading of appreciation, to take on new meanings, and those 19 years since the first opening of the room for convalescents. Bath-room and to represent a living great reality when Alice Memorial Hospital the average number of lava'ory accommodation is also provided to benevolence sach 85 is here shown us in-patients has been 729, whereas the actual num- this storey. The whole of the site has becomes rooted and grounded in the minds ber of in-patients for the year 1:03 was 763, so that been paved with concrete, rendered with cement, of the women of China who have caught the additional accommodation provided has been and the channels, downpipes, and drains are all the spirit of Madame Wa. The true gauge and greater than the increase in the number of of approved types. Plans and specifications measure of value is found when the gift of this in-patients. I am inclined to gather from that were prepared and buildings carried out hospital is taken as a sign of the new times that fact and from the fact that during the 19 years under the supervision of Mr. John Lemm, are dawning for China and for the world. There I have referred to the population of the Colony F.I.A.M.R. San. I., architect, No. 64, Queen's are other acknowledgments that should be made increased from 186,900 to 378,000, that is, more Road Central.
gladly and gratefully. This hospital building than double, that the general health of the stands on one of the best sites that could be Colony had improved in that time, and I chosen entirely suitable as respects proximity find corroboration of this fact upon looking to the busy city lying immediately below, yet at the corresponding figures of the Govern
removed sufficiently
to more quiet and ment Civil Hospital. In the last ten years other favourable conditions for the treat- the average number of patients in the Govern ment of patients. This site is also a gift-the ment Civil Hospital-in-patients-has been gift of the Government through His Majesty's 2,752. In that period the population has Secretary of State for the Colonies, at the increased from 240,000 to 378,000, that is, has recommendation of Sir Henry Blake. It is become half as much again as it was, and in satisfactory to remark that, as with so many the year 1905 the number of in-patients was buildings on these higher levels, the new 2,704, or considerably below the average of hospital enhances as a thing of beauty the the last ten years. Further corroboration of attractiveness of the road itself and lends a this idea that the health of the Colony has obarm of distinction to this thoroughfare. The greatly improved in late years, is derived from beauty of a hospital, however, consists in the fact that in the year which this hospital that it stands for philanthropy, unselfish was opered- the year 1887-the death-rate per regard for others, the going out of ourselves in thousand was 29.59. Last year it was 17.8 order to bring the joy of health to many in pain But it is not right possibly
to take and wretchedness. I trust that the work done individual years, 80 that Ι will givr here will justify the large-hearted generosity of
average figures for the fon Madame Wu and liberality of the Government: successive periods of five years referring to th Before closing I would refer to the exceeding same time. From 1886 to 1890, the yeas goodwill of the Tung Wah Hospital before the plague was introduced, the death
the occasion rate was 27.78. on
From 1891 to 1895, which authorities shown to us of this opening. The Tang Wal direct included the first and worst plague year, the tors have helped to provide the fittings death rate was 23.89. In the years from 1896 and furniture of this building; they have given to 1906 it was 22.8, and in the years from 1901 us lamps for lighting the building-we are to 1905 it was 20.28, a gradual and steady
80 a180 are borrowing their light;
the improvement. Possibly the ladies and gentle- ornamental tablets of felicitous and appropriate men here may think that this is not very congratulatory sentences that a torn the en- relevant to the purpose for which Lande, out trence-hall. Un these tablets, in graceful ally. I have been looking forward to an opportunity sion to the donor of the building, coupled with to making these remarks ia public because I pleasing reference the elixir of immortality, thought it was advisable that they shorl ba we are remindof the marvellous cures wrought made. Hongkong still retains in Englalits by ancient worthies and bidden to expect the old reputation of being a very unhealthy pince, like marvels as the outcome of Ma'am Wu's and that reputation is bad for the Colony. philanthropy in the gift of this hospital. It is to a certain extent due to the highly a td- Time would fail me to mention other frie da able desire of the Press to losa no opportunity Chinese and non-Chinese, who have shown of impressing the Government with the necessity their regard for our work by what they of measures intended to still more better the have done at this hospital opening.
and others.
Dr. Pearce, in opening the proceedings, said Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen.- We are met this afternoon to open the Ho Miu Ling Hospital, an institution to be devoted from this day to the healing work in Hongkong of the London Minary Society. Speaking for that Society's Medical Mission, which is worked in and from its affiliated hospitals, it is my duty and privilege to express on behalf of the management a due sense of the distinguished honour conferred on this assembly by your Excellency's presence. The many friends, Chinese and non Chinese, of this public charity keeply appreciate the personal interest and generous aid which your Excellency has seen fit to accord to its endeavours to alleviate suffering and to lessen the sum of human misery around us, and the practical sympathy shown in
gracious consent
open this new building will greatly cheer and encourage the medical superintendent, the committee, and the medical and nursing staff. The present is an occasion happily by no means the first in the history of these hospitais when the munificent generosity of a supporter has made possible the opening of a new building as an addition to the permanent plant. In calling attention as I
&
to
We
you
the
now do to the name of this building, the Ho Miu | shall take care that thanks are given where health conditions of the place, bat it also to a Ling Hospital, I would link the designation they are so largely due. My last word with the name of Madame Wu Ting-fag, is concerning the London. Missionary wife of His Excellency the Chinese Minister to the United States of America, and sister of our distinguished fellow-citizen, the Honourable Dr. Ho Kai. This hospital is the gift of Madame Wu this Medical Mission working in the place where the earlier years of her life were spent. Madame Wa is seeking to benefit the poor of Hongkong
to
an
to
who stand in need of medical treatment which it is the purpose of this institution to provide. A further object of the hospital is to extend the knowledge of Western medicine-the generous donor thus becoming a helper of many in Hongkong and in China who may never see the inside or even the outside of this building. If the practical value of the Ho Miu Ling Hospital, considered as an asset of the Mission,
you will
soon be able form
opinion and
be I shall surprised if that opinion does not accord with my own, that the new structure is admirably adapted to the purposes which it is intended to serve and reflects credit on the architect and the contractor. Apart, however, from its present and immediate use as a place for healing and for teaching, the Miu Ling Hospital stands for a suggestive and instructive sign. An aspect of the benefaction which we do well to consider is that a Chinese lady of rank is here showing the way in a new order of things. In identifying herself with the forces that make for this new order Madame Wu is pointing us forward and giving us visions of the day when woman's healing work for woman ill be a great factor in the social life of a great people. The time
Society. There is по one present who needs to be informed that bodily healing under the auspices of this Society and as par of its work is in fixed and certain relation to that Divine healing which the Society exists. in order to make known. Its aimin these hospitals as in all its activities for doing good to men, is to glorify Almighty God, Who will, we believe, use this effort as a means to the higher help and salvation and health of human souls through the Divine Healer and Teacher, who took our nature upon Him and who went about doing good and healing all that were diseased. I will ask the Bishop of Victoria to lead us in prayer to Almighty God for the work of the hospital.
The Bishop of Victoria then offered prayer.
His Excellency the Governor said-My Lord Bishop, Ladies and Gentlemen,Those among you who know the Alice Memorial Hospital well know the necessity that has grown up to improve the accommodation for the sick looked after by the London Missionary Society. Through no fault of the managers of the Alice Memorial Hospital that institution has ceased to be fit for medical and serious surgical cases. Buildings have grown up around it and the lower floors particularly have no longer the light and air necessary for a hospital. I have dwelt upon the fact of this now hospital being neces- sary in order to give improved accommodation because those of you who have studied the sist istical abstract presented in the annual reports of these hospitals will see that additional accommodation was scarcely necessary, I would remind you that the Alice Memorial Hospital
certain extent has the effect-the constant crying down of the health of the Colony-has also to a certain extent the effect of deterring people from visiting us, which is a bad effect. Referring to my business here to-day it seems to me most suitable that the donor of the present hospital should be sister of Dr. Ho Kai, who in memory of his wife established the original Alice Memorial Hospital which has done so much good, and I fully appreciate the remarks, as we all do, made by Dr. Pearce, with regard to the gratitude due to Madame Wu Ting-fang for her generous gift. As regards the gratitude of the community to the architect I shall be in a better position tɔ judge when I have seen the interior of the building. Dr. Pearce dealt fully with the question of the exterior and the only thing I wish to add to what he said is that I should rather that the excellent stone or sound bricks of which it is constructed were not covered up with plaster (laughter), With regard to the medical work done by the Alice Memorial and Nethersole Hospitals, I am scarcely competent to speak," bu I know that the staff, Drs. Mitchell, Gibson and Sebree, enjoy the confidence, which I know they deservedly enjoy, of the community. There is one point not dwelt upon by Dr. Pearce which entitles the London Missionary Society to special credit from the community, and that is the steady support it has given to the Hongkong College of Medicine, which is turning out some useful doctors who are working in this Colony and elsewhere, No doubt had the Director of the College, Mr. May, been here, he would have dwelt on this point more fully, as I know his great_admiration for the work done by the London Missionary Society. Finally, as regards the religions
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