Old Hong Kong-4 — Page 305

Old Hong Kong 昔日香港 All AI Reviewed

HOSPITALS

In considering various civic activities of the Colony in the past, one occasionally comes upon references to institutions that no longer exist, but are still traceable in present bodies of an official or semi-official nature. One of the more interesting of these was the former Nursing Institute, which by stages developed into a Colonial Nursing Association, and was eventually taken over by Government. In our present-day Nursing Board (established by Ordinance in 1931) may be found the descendant of that flourishing body of over thirty years ago.

The Institute was formed in the early part of this century (1901) with two nursing sisters brought out from Home, the idea being that they would be available for private practice. The body controlling the scheme was entirely unofficial. One notable feature of the Institute is that it had no home, and the nurses lodged in the Peak Hospital. An effort was made quite early in its history to erect a building as an actual institute, but nothing came of the proposal. I cannot do better than quote a report, which appeared in the S.C.M. Post at the time, dealing with a general meeting of subscribers to the Hongkong Nursing Institute, held in the City Hall on April 27, 1904, to discuss the advisability of building a house for the nurses.

At the outset, states the report, Dr. Stedman, who was President of the Association, said that he was the only opponent of the new scheme, and he thought it better if he retired from the chair to let Dr. Jordan, who was in favour of the scheme, preside.

Dr. Jordan then addressed the meeting, giving a short summary of the history of the Institution. Two nurses were brought out three years back and housed at the Peak Hospital. In 1902, the Government granted $12,000 as a building fund for the Institution, but at the request of the Institution, this sum had been handed over as an investment. The board for the nurses at the Peak Hospital had now been increased from $1.50 to $2 per day, and the Committee had been given to understand that at the end of the present agreement, the charge might or might not be increased. This was an unsettled state. The Institution was looked upon as part and parcel of the Peak Hospital, and several people had on that account withheld subscriptions. Under these circumstances, plans had been drawn up for a building in which to house the two nurses of the Institution, and Government had been approached as to the possibility of obtaining land free of premium and at a nominal Crown rent. Assuming this was granted, the estimated cost would be $5,244 for a three-roomed house of an area of 1,032 square feet.

Dr. Stedman rose to oppose the resolution. He said with regard to the scheme for building the new home, that the cost had been very much minimized. The home could not be built for $5,000. Some $3,000 was the average price for a room, and that meant that the home would cost about $10,800. Any deficit would have to be made up from somewhere, and they knew the great difficulty they had experienced in getting subscriptions during the past few years.

It was said, and it was true, he declared, that the Institution existed for the more well-to-do people of the Colony. It was not a charity, and it was not nice to be going round for subscriptions for the better class people of the Colony. (Hear, hear). There would be much difficulty in getting in a greater proportion of subscriptions to cover the deficit. The nurses liked living at the Peak Hospital because they had companionship there and it was more central.

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HOSPITALS In considering various civic activities of the Colony in the past, one occasionally comes upon references to institutions that no longer exist, but are still traceable in present bodies of an official or semi-official nature. One of the more interesting of these was the former Nursing Institute, which by stages developed into a Colonial Nursing Association, and was eventually taken over by Government. In our present-day Nursing Board (established by Ordinance in 1931) may be found the descendant of that flourishing body of over thirty years ago. The Institute was formed in the early part of this century (1901) with two nursing sisters brought out from Home, the idea being that they would be available for private practice. The body controlling the scheme was entirely unofficial. One notable feature of the Institute is that it had no home, and the nurses lodged in the Peak Hospital. An effort was made quite early in its history to erect a building as an actual institute, but nothing came of the proposal. I cannot do better than quote a report, which appeared in the S.C.M. Post at the time, dealing with a general meeting of subscribers to the Hongkong Nursing Institute, held in the City Hall on April 27, 1904, to discuss the advisability of building a house for the nurses. At the outset, states the report, Dr. Stedman, who was President of the Association, said that he was the only opponent of the new scheme, and he thought it better if he retired from the chair to let Dr. Jordan, who was in favour of the scheme, preside. Dr. Jordan then addressed the meeting, giving a short summary of the history of the Institution. Two nurses were brought out three years back and housed at the Peak Hospital. In 1902, the Government granted $12,000 as a building fund for the Institution, but at the request of the Institution, this sum had been handed over as an investment. The board for the nurses at the Peak Hospital had now been increased from $1.50 to $2 per day, and the Committee had been given to understand that at the end of the present agreement, the charge might or might not be increased. This was an unsettled state. The Institution was looked upon as part and parcel of the Peak Hospital, and several people had on that account withheld subscriptions. Under these circumstances, plans had been drawn up for a building in which to house the two nurses of the Institution, and Government had been approached as to the possibility of obtaining land free of premium and at a nominal Crown rent. Assuming this was granted, the estimated cost would be $5,244 for a three-roomed house of an area of 1,032 square feet. Dr. Stedman rose to oppose the resolution. He said with regard to the scheme for building the new home, that the cost had been very much minimized. The home could not be built for $5,000. Some $3,000 was the average price for a room, and that meant that the home would cost about $10,800. Any deficit would have to be made up from somewhere, and they knew the great difficulty they had experienced in getting subscriptions during the past few years. It was said, and it was true, he declared, that the Institution existed for the more well-to-do people of the Colony. It was not a charity, and it was not nice to be going round for subscriptions for the better class people of the Colony. (Hear, hear). There would be much difficulty in getting in a greater proportion of subscriptions to cover the deficit. The nurses liked living at the Peak Hospital because they had companionship there and it was more central. Page 305 Page 306

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HOSPITALS în considering various civic activities of the Colony in the past, one occasionally comes upon references to institutions that no longer exist, but are still traceable in present bodies of an official or semi-official nature. One of the more interesting of these was the former Nursing institute, which by stages developed into a Colonial Nursing Association, and was Eventually baken over by Government. In our present-day Aursing Board (established by Ordinance in 1931) may be found the descendant of that flourishing body of over thirty years. ago. The Institute was formed in the early part of this century 1901) with two nursing sisters brought out from Home, the idea ing that they would be available for private practice. The Cody controlling the scheme was entirely unofficial. One notable feature of the Institute is that it had no home, and the r ses lodged in the Peak Hospital. An effort was made quite early in its history to erect a building an actual institute but nothing came of the proposal. I cannot do better than quote a report, which appeared in the S.C.M. Post at the time, dealing with a general meeting of subscribers to the Hongkong Nursing Institute, held in the City Hall on April 27, 1904, to discuss the advisability of building a house for the nurses. 566 At the outset, states the report, Dr. Stedman, who was President of the Association, said that he was the only opponent of the new scheme, and he thought it better if he retired from the chair to let Dr. Jordan, who was in favour of the s cheme, preside. Dr. Jordan then addressed the meeting, giving a short summary of the history of the Institution. Two nurses were brought out three years back and housed at the Peak Hospital. In 1902, the. Government granted $12,000 as a building fund for the Institution, but at the request of the Institution this sum had been handed over as an investment. The board for the nurses at the Peak Hospital ad now been increased from $1.50 to $2 per day, and the Committee s given to understand that at the end of the present agreement Le charge might or might not be increased. This was an unsettled ate. The Institution was looked upon as part and parcel of the cak Hospital, and several people had on that account withheld bscriptions. Under these circumstances, plans had been drawn up or a building in which to house the two nurses of the Institution, and Government had been approached as to the possibility of obtaining land free of premium and at a nominal Crown rent. Assuming this was granted, the estimated cost would be $5,244 for a three-roomed house of an area of 1,032 square feet.. He said with Dr. Stedman rose to oppose the resolution. regard to the scheme for building the new home, that the cost had been very much minimized. The home could not be built for $5,000. Some 93,000 was the average price for a room, and that meant that the ✓ home would cost about $10,800. Any deficit would have to be de up from somewhere, and they knew the great difficulty they had experienced in getting subscriptions during the past few years. It was said, and it was true, he declared, that the Institution existed for the more well-to-do people of the Colony. It was not a charity: and it was not nice to be going round for 10 sub- scriptions for the better class people of the Colony. (Hear, hear). ere would be much difficulty in getting in a greater proportion subscriptions to cover the deficit. The nurses liked living at the Peak hospital because they had companionship there anc ore central. Page 305Page 306 A 2.

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HOSPITALS

în considering various civic activities of the Colony in the past, one occasionally comes upon references to institutions that no longer exist, but are still traceable in present bodies of an official or semi-official nature. One of the more interesting of these was the former Nursing institute, which by stages developed into a Colonial Nursing Association, and was Eventually baken over by Government. In our present-day Aursing Board (established by Ordinance in 1931) may be found the descendant of that flourishing body of over thirty years. ago.

The Institute was formed in the early part of this century 1901) with two nursing sisters brought out from Home, the idea

ing that they would be available for private practice. The Cody controlling the scheme was entirely unofficial. One notable feature of the Institute is that it had no home, and the r ses lodged in the Peak Hospital. An effort was made quite early in its history to erect a building an actual institute but

nothing came of the proposal. I cannot do better than quote a report, which appeared in the S.C.M. Post at the time, dealing with a general meeting of subscribers to the Hongkong Nursing Institute, held in the City Hall on April 27, 1904, to discuss the advisability of building a house for the nurses.

566

ad now been increased from $1.50 to $2 per day, and the Committee

s given to understand that at the end of the present agreement Le charge might or might not be increased. This was an unsettled ate. The Institution was looked upon as part and parcel of the cak Hospital, and several people had on that account withheld

bscriptions. Under these circumstances, plans had been drawn up or a building in which to house the two nurses of the Institution, and Government had been approached as to the possibility of obtaining land free of premium and at a nominal Crown rent. Assuming this was granted, the estimated cost would be $5,244 for a three-roomed house of an area of 1,032 square feet..

He said with

Dr. Stedman rose to oppose the resolution. regard to the scheme for building the new home, that the cost had been very much minimized. The home could not be built for $5,000. Some 93,000 was the average price for a room, and that meant that the

✓ home would cost about $10,800. Any deficit would have to be de up from somewhere, and they knew the great difficulty they had experienced in getting subscriptions during the past few years.

It was said, and it was true, he declared, that the Institution existed for the more well-to-do people of the Colony. It was not

a charity: and it was not nice to be going round for 10 sub- scriptions for the better class people of the Colony. (Hear, hear). ere would be much difficulty in getting in a greater proportion

subscriptions to cover the deficit. The nurses liked living at the Peak hospital because they had companionship there anc

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