520 748
its inhabitants numbering possibly several thousand, making up at least half of the total population when the British arrived, estimated at 5,000. But the northern side, where Victoria city now stands, was practically deserted, as the Chinese did not need our deep harbour, and had settled on the side of the island considered the most healthy, sheltered from the north winds of winter and fanned by the southerly and westerly breezes of the hot summer months. Thus we have seen how barren West Point was made a military site, and Taipingshan was developed. As we have already noted (13-7-33) the modernisation of Hongkong created the slum property that we know to-day. No doubt the Government Civil Hospital site was selected as one of convenience, and not for its healthy position!.
The oldest part of this hospital is "C" Block, which was erected in 1861. "A" Block was built in 1874, "B" Block in 1878, and "D" Block in 1880. Thus the G.C.H. is one of the oldest buildings in the Colony. The maternity block was added in 1895. I am indebted to the P.W.D. for these interesting dates.
The annual meeting of the Alice Memorial and Affiliated Hospitals (including the Nethersole) which was reported in this paper yesterday, recalls that there are several instances of ladies' names being perpetuated in the naming of local institutions for the caring of the sick or for other social service, and the Helena May Institute will occur to the mind as one of the latter. As has previously been mentioned in this column, this excellent institute commemorates the wife of the late Sir Henry May, a former Governor of the Colony (see 4-7-33).
Mr. Granville Sharp came to Hongkong in 1858, being employed in one of the Banks. He later became a broker and invested largely in land. On the death of his wife, Matilda, in 1893, he expressed a desire to provide for the deserving poor, and approached his cousin with a view to combining resources for the purpose.
The latter, however, did not feel inclined to join in.
On the death of Mr. Granville Sharp in 1898, however, it was found that he had left an estate of over a million dollars, the residue of which was to go towards the founding of a hospital to be called after his wife's Christian name.
In his will, Mr. Granville Sharp named the locality for the Hospital, this being the south end of Mount Kellett. The site was purchased for $70,000, and the Hospital was completed in 1906.
Mr. Sharp wished the hospital to be self-supporting and to be considered an absolutely religious and evangelistic institution. He further directed that it must be maintained "for the glory of God and the good of man," and not for the glory of the medical profession in any way that it was to be a hospital for "the poor, the helpless, the forsaken, and for him who is alone and desolate," of British, American and European nationality. He did not wish Chinese, Japanese or Portuguese patients to be admitted as he considered their own people were well able to provide hospital accommodation for their respective nationals.
2.
520 748
its inhabitants numbering possibly several thousand, making up at least half of the total population when the British arrived, estimated at 5,000. But the northern side, where Victoria city now stands, was practically deserted, as the Chinese did not need our deep harbour, and had settled on the side of the island considered the most healthy, sheltered from the north winds of winter and fanned by the southerly and westerly breezes of the hot summer months. Thus we have seen how barren West Point was made a military site, and Taipingshan was developed. As we have already noted (13-7-33) the modernisation of Hongkong created the slum property that we know to-day. No doubt the Government Civil Hospital site was selected as one of the convenience, and not for its healthy position!.
The oldest part of this hospital is "Ç" Block, which was erected in 1861. "A" Block was built in 1874, "B" Block in 1878, and "D" Block in 1880. Thus the G.C.H. is one of the oldest buildings in the Colony. The maternity block was added in 1895. I am indebited to the P.W.D. for these interesting dates.
The annual meeting of the Alice Memorial and Affiliated Hospitals (including the Nethersole) which was reported in this paper yesterday, recalls that there are several instances of ladies! names being perpetuated in the naming of local institutions for the caring of the sick or for other social service, and the Helena May Institute will occur to the mind as one of the latter. As has previously been mentioned in this column, this excellent institute commemorates the wife of the late Sir Henry May, a former Governor of the Colony (see 4-7-33).
Mr. Granville Sharp came to Hongkong in 1858, being employed in one of the Banks. He later became a broker and invested largely in land. On the death of his wife, Matilda, in 1893, he expressed a desire to provide for the deserving poor, and approached his cousin with a view to combining resources for the purpose.
The latter, however, did not feel inclined to join in.
On the death of Mr. Granville Sharp in 1898, however, it was found that he had left an estate of over a million dollars, the residue of which was to go towards the founding of a hospital to be called after his wife's Christian name.
In his will, Mr. Granville Sharp named the locality for the Hospital, this being the south end of Mount Kellett. The site was purchased for $70,000, and the Hospital was completed in 1906.
+
Mr. Sharp wished the hospital to be self-supporting and to be considered an absolutely religious and evangelistic institu- tion.
He further directed that it must be mairt ed "for the glory of God and the good of man," and not for the glory of the medical profession in any way that it was to be a hospital for "the poor, the helpless, the forsaken, and for him who is alone and desolate," of British, American and European nationality. He did not wish Chinese, Japanese or Portuguese patients to be admitted as he considered their own people were well able to provide hospital accommodation for their respective nationals.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.