19
ng trong.
1947
Governa
Súrnary 1872..
Bir Richard Graves mactormiell,
lo
The Right Somnable
the Earl of Kimberley.
Chinese Arrital. Completion of aux Public
opening of -
Financial position of _ explained
-
and details given. –
(Ancireure)
"China Mail"]
THE FORMAL OPENING OF THE CHINESE HOSPITAL
PRELIMINARY CEREMONY. This interesting ceremony took place with great pomp to-day. It consisted of a ceremonial sacrifice being offered to the God of Shan Nung, one of the three mythical Emperors who are said to have attained the great age of ten thousand years. He is recognised as the discoverer of medicines, but he was not the favorite god with the medical fraternity. This deity was selected on this occasion owing to some objection having been offered by a minority of the committee to have any gods on the premises at all.
At an early hour, the committee, some seventy or eighty in number, assembled at the Kung Sho (Public Meeting Hall) adjoining the Hollywood Road Joss-house, all dressed in the mandarin costume, some even with peacock's feather attached to their buttons. A little before 8 o'clock, a procession, accompanied by a band of Chinese music and a staff of paraphernalia bearers, such as is usual on these occasions of festivities, and headed by a pair of large lanterns bearing an inscription "The formal opening of the Tung Wa Hospital," paraded the streets of the Chinese section of the Town and stopped in front of the Kung Sho, where it was joined by the committee. The return trip of the procession started at the booming of three guns, and the whole body proceeded towards the Central Schools and turned into Gough Street; passing by the premises of Messrs Gibb, Livingston & Co., the procession took the course to Bonham Strand and then up the road leading to the Hospital. Amongst those who took part in the ceremony were Leong Ou, compradore Messrs Gibb, Livingston & Co., Chun Kum, compradore Messrs Arnhold, Karberg & Co., Ng Chook, compradore Jardine, Matheson & Co., Choy Achip, compradore Messrs Gilman and Schellhass & Co., Wong Sun, compradore Messrs Pustan & Co., Cheong Kai, compradore Hongkong Club, Fung Ming Shau, compradore Messrs A. G. Hogg & Co., Chun Ting Chi, late compradore Messrs Smith, Kennedy & Co., Kwok Acheong, Ho Asick, Lee Sing, Lee Tuk Cheong, Chun Kun and others. Leong On, being the Chairman of the Committee, took the most prominent part in the ceremony, being the bearer of three incense sticks, which he carried with him during the whole tour of the procession.
Three guns announced the arrival of the procession at the Hospital, and now the grand ceremony commenced. The musicians were placed on one side at the Court Yard, and the Yeoman bearers of paraphernalia were arranged on two rows one on each side of the hall; further up were the committees divided also into two rows. These arrangements having been made and a sufficient space having been cleared, Leong On, as the performer of ceremonies, stepped forward immediately and placed the three Joss sticks he had in his hand in an incense pot. Having done this, he stood on one side, and in obedience to the commands of the director of ceremonies, Chuo Kum, he knelt down before a sandalwood frame, having the inscription of Shan Noong, and kotowed three times. He rose up and with great reverence approached the image and removed the piece of paper which screened the inscription; the frame was then handed to two assistant performers of ceremonies, who conveyed it forward and placed it into a glass case at the furthest end of the hall. The director of ceremonies called out "retire," and Leong On retired further out to the Court Yard, and the officer ordered him to kneel down and kowtow. This form was repeated for the third time, and the Performer of Ceremonies stood up and knelt down again until he had made nine kow-tows. The prayer-reader Yim To Nam, of the Kin Nam Hong, then came forward. He made the same number of kow-tows and proceeded to read the prayer, which was very brief.
In front of the image was arranged on a long table quite a number of dishes of eatables, consisting of meats, roasted and stewed, fruits, confectionery, pastry nicely worked up to represent eight genii, an elephant, a unicorn, a peacock, &c., and at the further end of the table was a roast-pig, an uncooked sheep, as well as an uncooked pig; the latter was substituted for a calf, which was dispensed with, owing, we presume, to the want of space on the table. Above the image and hung up in the centre of the wall was a scroll bearing the word "Longevity."
After the prayer was read, the performer of ceremonies resumed his kneeling posture and proceeded to offer the sacrifice to the deity, taking a dish of each description of food, beginning with the dish on the left-hand side; it was conveyed to where he was kneeling by two attendants who handed it to two assistants, who, in turn, handed it to him with great reverence. He then held it up above his head and gave it afterwards to two attendants on his right, who replaced it in its original place. All the dishes having been offered in this manner, a bowl of rice was offered and then fruit and then tea. The deity was now supposed to have finished his repast; a bowl of congee or wine was next offered. All was finished, the band was ordered to play "great music," and amidst the din of gongs and drums, some joss paper was burnt, accompanied by the salvoes of crackers and the booming of three guns, which announced the close of the ceremony. When all was over, the services of several actors were imported into the ceremony; they represented the eight genii offering congratulations to the Queen of Heaven on the anniversary of her birth.
While the performance was going on, the concourse of spectators was very great, notwithstanding that all the district watchmen had been turned out to preserve order. Everyone was eager to press forward to witness the ceremony, and some were even so inconsiderate as to stand with their shoes on the new cushions of the chairs, which were said to have belonged once to the wealthy Poon Tinqua, whose property was attached by the Chinese Government for debts he owed in connection with the salt monopoly. The ceremony produced a profound impression, and everyone agreed that it was the grandest ever witnessed in Hongkong. A Parsee merchant showed great interest and was present throughout the performance.
"Daily Advertiser"
The opening of the New Chinese Hospital at West Point, not far from the old E-tzee, took place yesterday with great pomp and ceremony, His Excellency the Governor honouring the proceedings by his presence. A long and gorgeous procession wended its way in the forenoon to the building which, besides being handsomely adorned architecturally in the Chinese fashion, was further made attractive by numerous lanterns, pictures, and hangings, bestowed in the manner the Chinese so well know how to employ, and producing a most striking effect.
According to information furnished us, we understand that the building cost about $45,000. It is divided into 3 sections and 8 departments and is at present capable of accommodating from 80 to 100 patients. Three Doctors, with one exclusively for vaccination, are attached to the establishment, but it is hoped shortly to increase the number to five. The lower wards are divided off by half-wall wooden compartments and are intended for the poorer class of gratis patients. The upper story, which is better lighted and ventilated, is appropriated for those who can afford to pay towards their maintenance in hospital, and its wards are all that can be desired, having a good verandah, front and back, and being well ceiled and floored.
At about 1-30 the Hollywood Road along which it was known H.E. would pass was crowded by a dense throng of natives who completely lined either side; the crowd increasing as one went westward. Sikh and Indian police kept the route (most creditably be it observed) and the Captain Superintendent with some of his Inspectors stationed themselves at the outer door of the Hospital. Several officials and other residents in the Colony were also present to witness the inauguration. It was quite evident that the Chinese looked upon it as a great day; every prominent merchant and compradore in the Colony...