289
561
:
THE FIRST CHINESE HOSPITAL
When a brief history of the Tung Wah Hospital was published in this series (see 30-6-33), reference was made to its erection in 1870-71, when the foundation stone was laid by Sir Richard MacDonnell, the Governor of the time. The building was opened for use in February, 1872, and its demolition took place in 1933 to make way for the new, up-to-date structure. Yet at the time, this first organised Chinese hospital in Hongkong replacing the "I-tsze", or sick people's refuge, which had commenced functioning in 1867 was considered a fine structure: and it brought to the local Chinese, for the first time, a properly conducted institution run on a more or less "Western" curative schedule.
The foundation stone-laying ceremonies of old buildings are always interesting functions for the historian: they give, as it were, a picture of the times, and a record of the men, their outlook, and the aspiration, of the period, as well as useful pointers to current as well as previous history.
Let us take the case of the "new Chinese hospital", as the chronicles of the time termed the institution.
An account dated April 9, 1870, states:
H.E. the Governor (Sir R. MacDonnell) laid the foundation stone of the new Chinese Hospital, near Possession Point, this afternoon, in the presence of a large number of the better class of Chinese and others. His Excellency was attended on the platform erected for the occasion by the Attorney General, the Colonial Secretary, the Registrar General, the Surveyor General, and other Government officials, besides a few foreign civilians. An address was read by Mr. Smith (Mr. Clementi Smith) from the Committee or Corporation (a translation of which is appended) complimenting and thanking the Governor for the aid which had been given in the matter. H.E. replied by giving a return compliment to the Chinese community, in that they had removed the slur cast upon them by the revolting disclosures of the old I-Tsze building. (This had been used also as a mortuary). H.E. likewise expressed a hope that the better educated Chinese would continue their efforts to rid their fellow-countrymen's minds of the prejudices and superstitions which led to such irregularities as those revealed by the old I-Tsze temple. It was also creditable to the Chinese community that they had recently done so much for their fellow-countrymen in the Colony, by subscribing for this Hospital, by supporting the police of the city, and by aiding the fire brigade (when the foreign community rather threw cold water on it.) This development he was a little proud to say had made its appearance very strikingly during his administration; and he hoped it would continue.
He would not now say farewell, as he purposed returning from Japan for a couple of weeks to make arrangements as to the Estimates. He, however, wished their undertaking God speed, and promised to urge its increased support in England (say to $50,000), with a view to secure its permanency. The hospital would be the scene of much misery, but that was the occasion of evoking the purest and brightest feelings of mankind;
and as an individual, as well as Governor as a part of humanity - he rejoiced at the formal establishment of the new Hospital.
The Governor and party left the dais amid strains from a Chinese band, and a din of crackers.
The foundation stone and the silver trowel bore appropriate inscriptions.
Page 300
Page 301
289
561
:
THE FIRST CHINESE HOSPITAL
When a brief history of the Tung Wah Hospital was published in this series (see 30-6-33), reference was made to its erection in 1870-71, when the foundation stone was laid by Sir Richard MacDonnell, the Governor of the time. The building was opened for use in February, 1872, and its demolition took place in 1933 to make way for the new, up-to-date structure. Yet at the time, this first organised Chinese hospital in Hongkong replacing the "I-tsze", or sick people's refuge, which had commenced functioning in 1867 was considered a fine structure: and it brought to the local hinese, for the first time, a properly conducted institution run on a more or less "estern curative schedule.
*he foundation stone-laying ceremonies of old buildings are always interesting functions for the historian: they give, as it were,`a picture of the times, and a record of the men, their outlook, and the aspiration, of the period, as well as useful pointers to current as well as previous history.
Let us take the case of the "new Chinese hospital", as the chronicles of the time termed the institution.
An account dated April 9, 1870, states:
H.E. the Governor (Sir R. MacDonnell) laid the foundation stone of the new Chinese Hospital, near Possession Foint, this afternoon, in the presence of a large number of the better class of Chinese and others. His Excellency was attended on the plat- fora erected for the occasion by the Attorney General, the Colonial Secretary, the Registrar General, the Surveyor General, and other Government officials, besides a few foreign civilians. An address was read by Mr. Smith (Mr. Clementi Smith) from the Committee or Corporation (a translation of which is appended) complimenting and thanking the Governor for the aid which had been given in the matter. H.E. replied by giving a return compliment to the Chinese community, in that they had removed the slur cast upon them by the revolting disclosures of the old I-Tsze building. (This had been used also as a mortuary).` H.E. likewise expressed a hope that the better educated Chinese would continue their efforts to rid their fellow-country-men's minds of the prejudices and superstitions which led to such irre-
ularities as those revealed by the old I-Tsze temple. It was also creditable to the Chinese community that they had recently
one so much for their fellow-countrymen in the Colony, by subscribing for this Hospital, by supporting the police of the city, and by aiding the fire brigade (when the foreign community rather threw cold water on it.) This development he was a little proud to say had made its appearance very strikingly during his administration; and he hoped it would continue.
He would not now say farewell, as he purposed returning from Japan for a couple of weeks to make arrangements as to the Estimates. He, however, wished their undertaking God speed, and promised to urge its increased support in England (say to $50,000), with a view to secure its permanency. The hospital would be the scene of much misery, but that was the occasion of evoking the purest and brightest feelings of mankind;
་
and
as an individual, as well as Governor as a part of humanity - he rejoiced at the formal establishment of the row Hospital.
The Governor and party left the dais amid strains from a Chinese band, and a din of crackers.
The foundation stone and the silver trowel bore appropriate inscriptions.
Page 300Page 301
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