CHURCHES ( Continuation )
159
In January, 1908, the S.C.M. Post notes that H. E. the Governor, Sir Frederick Lugard, would formally open the new building erected at Wongneicheong for the Asile de la Sainte Enfance. "This handsome structure" states the paper
has been built on a piece of ground on the east side of the Race Course. The land was granted by Government about four years ago. The new premises will greatly assist the Mother Superior and Sisters in their work of caring for abandoned Chinese babies, and the building will be used as a hospital. The site is a very pretty one, and overlooks the course. The style of architecture adopted by the architects (Messrs. Leigh and Orange) is early English gothic. The building is of fireproof construction, and cement with tiled floors..... There is a large area of ground, and the whole has been enclosed by a substantial granite wall. The children will have a spacious playground, and the Sisters are making provision for a nice flower garden. In the centre of the ground is a handsome monument in the form of a crucifix erected in the memory of Bishop Piazzoli, who was Roman Catholic Bishop here when the Sisters first took steps to procure the new building.
The actual opening ceremony is described in the S.C.M. Post of January 7, 1908, as follows:-
"Yesterday afternoon the new hospital of the Asile de la St. Enfance erected at Happy Valley was formally declared open by His Excellency the Governor. Sir Frederick Lugard was accompanied by Lady Lugard, and attended by Captain Taylor, A.D.C., and Mr. Brackenbury, private secretary. Governor's party was received by Bishop Pozzoni. Among those present were Father Rovert, Procurator of the French Catholic Mission; Father Maria, pro-vicar of the Italian Mission; and many members of the clergy and Christian Brotherhood, Consul Romano, Dr. F. Clarke, Mr. J. Orange, Dr. and Mrs. Justi, Mrs. Marty, Mrs. Leiria, Mrs. Ha Tung and others.
It is mentioned that during the administration of Sir Matthew Nathan the foundation stone had been informally laid and the building commenced.
In the course of a speech at the opening, Bishop Pozzoni pointed out that the French Convent building in the city had long been found too small to meet the demands upon it by the class of Chinese women and children who sought comfort, and admission within its portals. The increasing number of foundlings, the nature of their ailments in certain cases, the necessity for larger accommodation for the aged women, and healthier surroundings for the treatment of the sick, had called forth the existence of Le Calvaire.
It was eight years later that the main institution moved to Causeway Bay district, and the good work could go on unhampered by lack of space. The old convent building at Wanchai was subsequently pulled down; it stood next door to, and eastward of, the Seamen's Institute.
A portion of the new building (largely adapted from an existing structure - a cotton-spinning factory by means of extensive alterations and additions) was formally opened by the wife of the Governor, Lady May, in October 1915, and consisted of the Orphanage. It was decided to mark the occasion as the actual opening of the institution, and for this reason there was set in the wall, just by the entrance a commemorative stone bearing the inscription St. Paul's
Page 160
Page 161
CHURCHES ( Continuation )
159
In January, 1908, the S.C.M. Post notes that H. E. the Gaernor, Sir Frederick Lugard, would formally open the new building erected at Wongneicheong for the Asile de la Sainte Enfance. "This handsome structure" states the paper
has been built on a piece of ground on the east side of the Race Course. The land was granted by Government about four years ago. The new premises will greatly assist the Mother Superior and Sisters in their work of caring for abandoned Chinese babies, and the building will be used as a hospital. The site is a very pretty one, and overlooks the course. The style of architecture adopted by the architects ( Messrs. Leigh and Orange) is early English gothic. The building is of fireproof construction, and cement with tiled floors..... There is a large area of ground, and the whole has been enclosed by a substantial granite wall. The children will have a spacious playground, and the Sisters are making provision for a nice flower garden. In the centre of the ground is a handsome monument in the form of a crucifix erected in the memory of Bishop Piazzoli, who was Roman Catholic Bishop here when the Sisters first took steps to procure the new building. 釋
The actual opening ceremony is described in the 3. C. M. Post of January 7, 1908, as follows:-
The
"Yesterday afternoon the new hospital of the Asile de la St. Enfance erected at Happy Valley was formally de- clared open by His Excellency the Governor. Sir Frederick Lugard,was accompanied by Lady Lugard, and attended by Captain Taylor, A.D.C., and Mr. Brackenbury, private secretary. Governor's party was received by Bishop Pozzoni. Among those present were Father Rovert, Procurator of the French Catholic Mission; Father Maria, pro-vicar of the Italian Mission; and many members of the clergy and Christian Brother- hood, Consul Romano, Dr. F. Clarke, Mr. J. Orange, Dr, and Mrs. Justi, Mrs. Marty, Mrs. Leiria, Mrs. Ha Tung and others.
It is mentioned that during the administration of Sir Matthew Nathan the foundation stone had been informally laid and the building commenced.
In the course of a speech at the opening, Bishop Pozzoni pointed out that the French Convent building in the city had long been found too small to meet the demands upon it by the class of Chinese women and children who sought comfort, and admission within its portals. The increasing number of foundlings, the nature of their ailments in certain cases, the necessity for larger accommodation for the aged women, and healthier surroundings for the treatment of the sick, had called forth the existence of Le Calvaire.
It was eight years later that the main institution moved to Causeway Bay district, and the good work could go on unhampered by lack of space. The old convent building at Wanchai was subsequently pulled downg it stood next door to, and eastward of, the Seamen's Institute.
A portion of the new building (largely adapted from an existing structure - a cotton-spinning factory by means of extensive alterations and additions) was formally opened by the wife of the Governor, Lady May, in October 1915, and consisted of the Orphanage. It was decided to mark the occasion as the actual opening of the institution, and for this reason there was set in the wall, just by the entrance a comemorative stone bearing the inscription St. Paul's
" The
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