Mrs. Borrett's presence is an indication of the keen sympathy she evinces in benevolent medical work, particularly the folk "who go down to the sea in ships and occupy themselves in deep waters" and their dependents, for whom, mainly this Hospital has been provided by our friend and benefactor Mr. Aw Boon-haw.
I do not propose to go into details that is left for other speakers, so I will be brief. Suffice it to say that the Hospital speaks for itself its purpose, functions and advantages as well as of its further needs and requirements deficiencies in kind and money which we hope and expect will be made good by the philanthropic in the near future, for hitherto our organisation has received no grant or subsidy.
"MONEY AND BRAINS WASTED"
You may wonder why this function has been arranged while the building is in its present state - those who have visited the old quarters will readily understand.
The best explanation I can give is "We are thankful for small mercies, even for the crumbs which fall from the rich man's table" and "Half a loaf is better than no bread".
In conclusion let me relate an anecdote which came to my knowledge a few days ago.
"An American gentleman visiting Cheung Chau, seeing this building remarked, "What a fine Hotel! such a glorious view! Moonlight bathing, and dancing on the roof! Money and brains conceived that Building." "But", remarked the friend "it is a Hospital". The visitor disgustedly rejoined, "Money and brains wasted." Although there is the suggestion of "money", we hope and pray that the remarks of the visitor are not in any way prophetic.
Mr. Aw Boon-haw then addressed the gathering. He said: It is a great honour that we have Mrs. Borrett to perform the Formal opening of this new hospital to-day, and the presence of all of you here on this unique occasion.
It is two years now since I visited this island with my Friend Mr. Ip Kwai-chung. There was no hospital of any kind, except the impoverished one set up by the St. John Ambulance Brigade situated at the water front, a short distance from the ferry wharf.
Mr. Morris, the Assistant Commissioner of the St. John Ambulance Brigade conducted us around the hospital which was a Chinese tenement house of two storeys. The top storey was kept for maternity cases while in the lower storey the sick were treated. As the space was limited and in the midst of the business centre, the place was generally crowded and noisy. In spite of its adverse position the St. John Ambulance Brigade kept the place clean and sanitary, and carried its work of humanity to the best of its efficiency.
'DESERVES HEARTY SUPPORT'
As it is, this island is somewhat isolated from the mainland, and considering that it takes approximately one hour for the fastest ferry from Hongkong, the people here should be very fortunate to have the St. John Ambulance Brigade to take up this medical work which indeed deserves hearty support.
2.
alpe
557
Mrs. Borrett's presence is an indication of the keen sympathy she evinces in benevolent medical work, particularly the folk "who go down to the sea in ships and occupy themselves in deep waters" and their dependents, for whom, mainly this Hospital has been provided by our friend and benefactor Mr. Aw Boon- haw..
I do not propose to go into details that is left for other speakers, so I will be brief. Suffice it to say that the Hospital speaks for itself its purpose, functions and advantages as well as of its further needs and requirements deficiencies in kind and money which we hope and expect will be made good by the philanthropic in the near future, for hitherto our organisation has received no grant or subsidy.
"MONEY AND BRAINS WASTED"
You may wonder why this function has been arranged while the building is in its present state - those who have visited the old quarters will readily understand.
The best explanation I can give is "We are thankful for small mercies, even for the crumbs which fall from the rich man's table" and "Half a loaf is better than no bread".
In conclusion let me relate an anecdote which came to my knowledge a few days ago.
"An American gentleman visiting Cheung Chau, seeing this building remarked, "What a fine Hotel! such a glorious view! Moonlight bathing, and dancing on the roof! Money and brains conceived that Building." "But", remarked the friend "it is
·
a Hospital". The visitor disgustedly rejoined, "Money and brains wasted. Although there is the suggestion of "money", we hope and pray that the remarks of the visitor are not in any way prophetic."
:
Mr. Aw Boon-haw then addressed the gathering. He said: It is a great honour that we have Mrs. Borrett to perform the Formal opening of this new hospital to-day, and the presence of all of you here on this unique occasion.
It is two years now since I visited this island with my Friend Mr. Ip kwai-chung. There was no hospital of any kind, except the impoverished one set up by the St. John Ambulance Brigade situated at the water front, a short distance from the ferry wharf.
Mr. Morris, the Assistant Commissioner of the St. John bulance Brigade conducted us around the hospital which was
a Chinese tenement house of two storeys. The top storey was kept for maternity cases while in the lower storey the sick were treated. As the space was limited and in the midst of the business centre, the place was generally crowded and noisy. In spite of its adverse position the St. John Ambulance Brigade kept the place clean and sanitary, and carried its work of humanity to the best of its efficiency.
DESERVES HEARTY SUPPORT'
As it is, this island is somewhat isolated from the mainland, and considering that it takes approximately one hour for the fastest ferry from Hongkong, the people here should be very fortunate to have the St. John Ambulance Brigade to take up this medical work which indeed deserves he arty support.
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