Colony being present. A double row of these, dressed in official uniforms, was drawn up on either side of the Courtyard leading to the reception room while a little in the background a native bagpipe band discoursed tuneful strains (à la chinois). At 2-30 Sir Richard accompanied by the Honbles. J. G. Austin, and C. C. Smith with Mr. Russell reached the entrance door, and, crossing the Courtyard amid the respectful salutes of the Chinese present, took up his position in the centre of the Reception Hall. Messrs. Leong On, Chun Kum, Ho Asik, and other prominent members of the Hospital committee were then introduced to H. E. by Mr. Smith. Sir Richard having intimated his readiness to view the building was shown round it by the Committee, the others present following; and he expressed his gratification at the creditable way in which the intention of the promoters of the hospital had been carried out. Returning to the Reception Hall H. E. then addressed the Committee to the following effect.
"Daily Press" His Excellency said this was a day of extreme interest, not only to the Chinese community, but to the community generally. They were now finishing a work which was begun nearly two years ago, before he went to England, when he had laid the foundation stone of this building. It was not often given to one, amid the uncertainties attending official life, and the uncertainties attending life itself—which were remarkable in his own case—it was not often given to one to complete a work which one had begun; and it added to his satisfaction that having begun it, he should have been allowed to come here and finish this work. Long before they were aware of it, he had commenced this movement as early as 1867, the year after his arrival. In 1869 circumstances occurred which strengthened his hands and strengthened theirs to induce their countrymen to assist the Government in this undertaking.
They all remembered the former hospital, called the Tung-sze (or "Et-sze" as mentioned elsewhere), where moribund people were left utterly neglected at the time when they most needed assistance. This state of things was discovered by the then Registrar-General and Inspector Petersen, and the case was so hard that it stirred the whole community, and led to an effect which had not ceased till it culminated in the work which they were now completing. He was thankful to say there was a prospect that there should no longer be those occurrences, which were a great disgrace to any community, and which consisted in leaving the dying just at the moment when human nature most needed assistance from relatives and friends, in a deserted condition. Such a state of things was a disgrace to all concerned in it. It was a disgrace to all who practised it in whatever part of China they may be.
The Chinese had many virtues, but they had a certain fear, a superstitious feeling, with regard to dying persons which led them to neglect the duties they owed to the sickly and feeble in their last moments, and this showed great inhumanity. Now, however, there would be no excuse for anything of the kind. The destitute had a right now to be admitted to this hospital, and the feeling of the Chinese on the subject was so strong that he could leave the Colony persuaded that they were just as resolved as the Government to put down this kind of abuse.
He could not avoid saying that the Community was very much indebted to the present Committee, who had laboured hard to raise the necessary funds, and had succeeded in obtaining $7,000 a year, as they said "for ever," to be applied to defraying the expenses of the Hospital. At present it was impossible to say what those expenses would be. The Committee had undertaken a great and responsible task, to give shelter, medical assistance, and comfort to all indigent persons who applied for it, and to give it without charge. On the other hand, they would have many of that numerous class of patients who would pay for more comfort, and he was glad to see the very excellent rooms they had to offer them.
He had been most particular in not interfering with the Chinese arrangement of details, but great power of supervision was reserved to the Government. The hospital was to be inspected by the Registrar-General, the Colonial Surgeon, and anyone whom the Government might appoint. Also, lest the affairs of the institution should be mismanaged or the funds misappropriated, auditors could be appointed, and auditors had been appointed by the Government.
Moreover, if it should happen that the Committee declined and neglected the duties which it had solemnly taken upon it, the Government could pass an Act vesting in the Crown the whole of the lands granted. He only mentioned these things because it was well to keep all possibilities in view, and not because it was likely that those who had shown so much energy in promoting the work would fail to carry it on.
He had just visited the rooms of the building for the second time, and when he remembered that with the exception of a few suggestions as to the drainage it was entirely their work, he was struck with the satisfactory manner in which it had been executed. There was no bad work here, whatever might be provided by contractors for Government buildings. Though he could have wished that it had been in the power of the Government to give them a more airy, and generally better site, still he could not say that the building was ill-ventilated, ill-lit, or in any way unsuited to its purpose. He only wished the Hospital recently built by the Government had as many well-placed windows and doors in its rooms as this.
If he had detained them with these remarks, he was now going to make amends by the last part of it, which would be of a peculiarly eloquent description. He had written it down that it might not escape his memory. They would remember that when he laid the foundation-stone he had promised to exert himself to induce the Queen's Government to allow a large portion of the Special Fund to be devoted to the interests of the Chinese, on the one hand for relief of the sick and suffering, and on the other for the advancement of education amongst them. Today they had to deal with the first part of the plan, and he was happy to say that he had met with great cordiality on the part of the Queen's Government when they understood the object which he wished to promote, and heard from him of the cordial co-operation which he had received of late from the respectable members of the Chinese Community in promoting law and order, and protecting life and property in the Colony.
There had been great improvement in this respect since his arrival in the Colony. The Chinese put greater trust in the Government than formerly, because they saw that the object of the Government was to do the greatest good to the greatest number. They would have nothing to do with class legislation. That is, they would not have customs here which foreigners regarded as uncivilised, and if any of these customs were an annoyance to foreigners they would not have them. But on all questions affecting material interests, on all questions affecting the interests of law and equity, the interests of commerce, the interests of humanity, they might be certain no class legislation would be sanctioned by the Queen's Government.
There was a strong feeling among the Chinese to that effect: they were beginning to understand the Government and the Government to understand them better. Well, the Secretary of State had been good enough to say that from the Special Fund, which was raised from an unfortunate propensity of the Chinese, which the Government had endeavoured to limit to certain places and had succeeded, and that being given up now hoped to put down gambling altogether—a scheme which was somewhat successfully in progress already—a large portion should be allocated to the improvement of the condition of the Chinese, while another large portion should be expended on the suppression of crime caused principally by a number of Chinese criminals from the mainland, and should be spent on the Police.
The sum of $115,000 was to be given to this Hospital—they had had $15,000 already, and a certain sum besides had been spent in getting the ground ready, and the balance remaining was $96,706. He had now great pleasure in handing to the Registrar-General, whom he had selected because he didn't know whom else to select, this balance of nearly $100,000, to take charge of it on behalf of the Chinese Community. He wished God-speed to the Hospital in the name of the God who was common to us all, and he had no doubt that suffering humanity would here receive ready and cordial relief. He declared this Hospital open. (Applause.)
His Excellency handed the cheque, after it had been shown to the committee, to Mr. Smith and then pronounced the New Hospital duly opened. A slight Chinese lunch was then partaken of by Sir Richard and the visitors, and the proceedings terminated. We learn that the Hospital is decidedly popular, and that there is every chance of its proving a decided success. The committee deserves great credit for the disinterested labour which they have given to the scheme.
Colony being present. A double row of these, dressed in official uniforms, was drawn up on either side of the Courtyard leading to the recep-- tion room while a little in the background a native bagpipe band discoursed tuneful strains (à la chinois). At 2-30 Sir Richard accompanied by the Honbles. J. G. Austin, and C. C. Smith with Mr. Russell reached the entrance door, and, crossing the Courtyard amid the respectful salutes of the Chinese present, took up his position in the centre of the Reception Hall. Messrs. Leong On, Chun Kum, Ho Asik, and other prominent members of the Hospital committee were then introduced to H. E. by Mr. Smith. Sir Richard having inti- mated his readiness to view the building was shewn round it by the Committee the others pre- sent following; and he expressed his gratification at the creditable way in which the intention of the promoters of the hospital had been carried out. Returning to the Reception Hall H. E. then addressed the Committee to the following effect.
"Daily Prep" His Excellency said this was a day of extreme
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interest, not ny to the Chinese community, but to the community generally. They were now finishing a work which was begun nearly two years ago, before he wont to England, when be had laid the foundation stone of this building. It was not often given to one, amid the uucer. tainties attending official life, and the uncer- tainties attending life itself-which were re- markable in bis own case-it was not often given to one to complete a work which one had begun; and it added to his satisfaction that having begun it, he should bare been allowed to come here and finish this work. Long before they were aware of it, be had commenced this Dovement as early as 1867, the year after his arrival. In 1869 circumstances occur- red which strengthened his hands and strength- ened theirs to induce their countrymen
to assist the Government in this under. taking. They all remembered the former hospi tal, called the Et-sze, where moribund people were left utterly neglected at the time when This state of they most needed assistance. things was discovered by the then Registrar- General and Inspector Petersen, and the case was so hard that it stirred the whole community, and led to an effect which had not ceased tili it culminated in the work which they were now completing. He was thankful to say there was a prospect that there should no longer be those occurrences, which were a great disgrace to any community, and which consisted in leaving the dying just at the moment when human nature mo-t needed assistance from relatives and friends, in a deserted condition, Such a state of things was a disgrace to all conccrued to it. It was a disgrace to all who practise it in whatever part of Ŭhina they may be. The Chinese bad many virtues, but they had a certain fear, a superstitious feeling, with regard to dying persons which led them to neglect the duties they owed to the sickly and feeble in their last moments, and this showed great inhumanity. Now, however, there would be no excuse for anything of the kind. The destitute had a right now to be admitted to this hospital, and the feeling of the Chinese on the subject was so strong that he could leave the Colony persuaded that they were just as resolved as the Government to put down this kind of abuse. He could not avoid saying that the Community was very much indebted to the present Committee, who bad laboured hard to raise the necessary funds, and had succeeded in obtaining $7,000 a year, as they said for ever, to be applied to defraying the expenses of the Hospital. At present it was impossible to say what those expense8 would be. The Committee had undertaken a great and responsible task, to give shelter, mer dical assistance, and comfort to all indigent persons who applied for it, and to give it with- out charge. On the other hand, they would have many of that numerous class of patients who would pay for more comfort, and he was glad to see the very excellent rooms they had to offer them. He had been most particular in not interfering with the Chi hese arrangement of details, but great power of supervision was reserved to the Governinent. The hospital was to be inspected by the Registrar-General, the Colonial Surgeon, and anyone whom the Government might ap- point. Also lest the affairs of the institution ahould be wismanaged or the funds misappro priated, auditors could be appointed, and audi- tors had been appointed by the Government.
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Moreover, if it should happen that the Com- mittee delineand neglected the duties which it had solemnly taken upon it, the Government could pass an Act vesting in the Crown the whole of the lands granted. He only men. tioned these thing because it was well to keep because all possibilities in view, and not
those who all likely that bad shewn so much energy in promoting the work would fail to carry it on. He bad just visited the rooms of the building for the second time, and when he remembered that with the exception of a few suggestions as to the drain- age it was entirely their work, he was struck with the satisfactory manner in which it had been executed. There was no bad work bere, what- ever might be provided by contractors for Go- yernment buildings. Though he could have wished that it had been in the power of the Goverument to gave them a more airy, and generally better site, still he could not say that the building was ill ventilated ill lit, or
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its purpose. He only wished the Hospital re-
cently built by the Government had as many well plane
windows and doors in its rooms as this. If he bad detained them with these remarks, he was now going to make amends by the last part of it, which would be of a peculiarly eloquent description. He had written it down that it! might not escape his memory. They would remember that when he laid the foundation- stone he had promised to exert himself to in- duce the Queen's Government to allow a large portion of the Special Fand to be devoted to the interests of the Chinese, on the one band for relief of the sick and suffering, and on the other for the advancement of education amongst them. To day they bad to deal with the first part of the plan, and he was bappy to say that he had met with great cordiality on the part of the Queen's Government when they understood the object which he wished to promote, and beard from him of the cordial co-operation which he had received of late. from the respectable members of the Chinese Community in promoting law and order, and protecting life and property in the Colony. There had been great improvement in this respect since his arrival in the Colony. The Chinese put greater trust in the Government than formerly, because they saw that the object of the Government was to do the greatest good to the greatest number. They would have nothing to do with class legislation. That is, they would not have customs here which foreign- ers regarded as uncivilised, and if any of theae customs were an annoyance to foreigners they would not bare them. But on all questions affecting material interests, on all questions af- fecting the interests of law and equity, the in. terests of commerce, the interests of humanity, they might be certain no class legislation would be sanctioned by the Queen's Government. There was a strong feeling among the Chinese. to that effect: they were beginuing to under- stand the Government and the Government to understand tbem better. Well, the Secretary of State had been good enough to say that from the Special Fund, which was raised from an unfortunate propensity of the Chinese, which the Government had endea voured to limit to certain places and had suc- ceeded, and that heing given up now hoped to put down gambling altogether, a scheme which was somewhat successfully in progress already a large portion should be allocated to the improvement of the condition of the Chinese, while another large portion should be expend. ed on the suppression of crime caused princi- pally by a number of Chinese criminals from the mainland, and should be spent on the Po. lice. The sum of $115,000 was to be given to this Hospital--they had had $15,000 already, and a certain sam besides had been spent in getting the ground ready, and the balance re- maining was $96,706. He had now great plea- sure in handing to the Registrar-General, whom he had selected because he didn't know whom else to select, this -balance of nearly $100,000, to take charge of it on behalf of the Chinese Community. He wished God-speed to the Hospital in the name of the God who was common to us all, and be-had no doubt that suffering bumanity would here receive ready and cordial relief. He declared this Hospital open. (Applanse,)
Daily Advertion
His Excellency handed the cheque, after it had been shown to the committee, to Mr Smith and then pronounced the New Hospital duly opened. A slight Chinese lunch was then partaken of by Sir Richard and the visitors, and the proceedings terminated. We learn that the Hospital is decidedly popular, and that there is every chance of its proving a decided success. The commit- tea deserves great credit for the disinterested labour which they have given to the scheme.
$46
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