CO129-435 - Governor Sir May & Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1916 [9-11] — Page 191

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this mixed Communityy aids #obe light.

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fore, that the new Institution be known as the “Helena May Institute for Women.” I am sending your letter and my reply to the public Press in the hope that the publicity given to your offer may induce others to contribute towards the comple- tion of the scheme-Believe me, Yours sincerely and gratefully.

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(Sd.) HELENA A. V. MAY. After the acceptance of Mr. Kadoorie's Associa- the offer the

of name

the to that of tion Was changed Hongkong Women's Institute. The rooms

were given up in Queen's Road May of the same year as being too hot in the summer months, and in October rooms were rented at Cragcliffe, Pedder's Hill. ln June, 1915, these rooms were given up and in August rooms were ob tained rent free for a short time in These were vacated in Beaconsfield. October of the same year and since that date the Institute has had no habitation The frequent of its own until to-day. change of headquarters shows to what vicissitude the Association and Institute have been subjected and proves the neces

This sity for a fixed permanent abode.

owes to the great the Institute now generosity of some, and to welcome sub- scriptions from others, of our fellow- citizens. Our greatest benefactor is Mr. has Ellis Kadooris (applause), who given no less than $62,000 in all towards the building; the covering of the Albany Nullah, the laying out of the garden which lies behind the building; and the cost of the furniture. He has also presented the Institute with a portrait of Lady May from the brush of an Italian artist, Mr. Belsito. For the munificent giftswe owe our heartfelt gratitude. For the building fund Mr. Ho Kom Tong has given the handsome sum of $25,000 (applause), and Mr. Chan Kai Ming and Lau Chu Pak have given $3,000 each (applause), while $16,250 has been raised by gifts from 07 donors for an endowment fund, including 82,000 each from Sir Robert Ho Tung, Mr. Ho Kom Tong and Mr. Lau Chu Pak, and $1,000 from Mr. Ivor Gourgey. Our warmest thanks are due to these benefactors for their kindly interest and munificence.

The beautiful building which you find yourselves in to-day is well adapted to supply wants which have long been felt in this Colony. In the first place. we have at present eight bed-rooms avail- able for women who are earning their living in this Colony, and for friendless women who may be passing through it, and we can provide four more bed-rooms if there is demand for them. The rooms will be allotted by a Sub-Committee, and

care will be taken that the hospitality | of the Institute is not abused. Occupants ican board in the Institute, and it is

hoped that with this convenience there| will be a steady demand for rooms on the letting of which the financial success of the Institute will in no small measure depend. The building comprises office, reading room, dining room, lounge, two class rooms, small library, and Matron's quarters. The constitution of the In- stitute provides ample scope for the religious and secular work of the women of Hongkong,

As its centre pivot there will be its religious life open to all but thrust upon none. A feature of the Institute will be its educational side under the charge of a Sub-Committee whose function it will be to arrange lectures and courses of study for which there may seen to be a demand among members. There will be a Social Committee whose duty it will be to arrange concerts and other social entertainments, and there will of course be the usual Sub-Committees to look after the interual economy of the Institute. The Institute has a small endowment fund. It is largely dependent, there- fore, ou its membership fees and on tho rental it obtains for its rooms. A strong membership is therefore an urgent neces sity. and I appeal to all women, eligible for membership. to join this Institute | and to give it their help, financially and otherwise.

Ladies and gentlemen, the war has shown in a remarkable manner what .splendid work women can do in directions hitherto closed to their energies. (Ap plause.) When peace is restored we may expect to see women taking a tar greater share in our national life than heretofore. It seems opportune, there. fore. that this Institute should be opened at this juncture, when it can usefully and fittingly form the centre of Women's work in this Colony,

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And now let me add one word of advice and encouragement. The manage- ment of this Institute is the largest enterprise that women in Hongkong bave as yet been called upon to undertake. Your financial problem will not be the least of your difficulties. You may expect plenty of criticism, especially from those who will lack the knowledge to criticise. usefully. I shall watch your work with an interest enhanced by the fact that honour has been done my wife in calling the Institute by her name. And I am con- vinced that by the exercise of thrift, patience and unselfishness, which charac terise women above men, your efforts will be blessed with a full measure of success. In conclusion, I would like to record the useful and hard work already done by the ladies of the Council and especially by the two Secretaries of this Institute. and to suggest that one of the first acts of the Council might be to place a small tablet in the building reciting the names of your principal benefactors, |(Applause.)

A dedicatory prayer was then read by 'the Bishop, and a thanksgiving hymn was sung, after which those present made an inspection of the building. Tea was also served, during which entertaining selections were rendered by the Polica Reserve Band.