The Opening Ceremony he formal opening took plac last Friday afternoon of the new Cantonese Merchants' Hospital in Chapei amid great celebrations.
Mr. Chun Bing-him,—compradore of Messrs. A. R. Burkill Sons, who is chairman of the Cantonese Merchants' Association and of the Hospital Committee, assisted by a number of other prominent gentlemen, during the day welcomed nearly 20,000 Chinese and foreign guests, these representing official, business, educational and other professions.
The formal opening ceremonies consisted of speeches, music and honouring the flag, as well as the usual photograph which accompanies, it appears, all Chines: functions. nowadays. Among the speakers were Mr. Chun Bing-him, Mr. Che Hsien-cheng (Shanghai District Procurafor), Mr. Fang—Chao-pah (acting chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce), Mr. Cheng Long-yn (representing the -Ningpo Association), Mr. Chao Cheng-ping (president of the Chi Nan Overseas College), and Mr. Tu Hui-ting (of the Sze-ming Guild).
Flags, bunting.and potted plants beautifully decorated the halt-dozen buildings which conn prise the new hospital, ead country being represented by its fi "Tha visitor, upon entering, Was greeted by the Boy Scouts and the bands which were in attendance. Large bundles of firecrackers were fired off, loud cheers rose, and the bands played as soon as the door of the hospital was formally declared open by Mr. Chun. one Surrounding the buildings, which occupy more than 20 mow of land and which cost more than $300,000, is a beautifully laid out flower garden, ideal for its purpose.
The buildings are of a very ihodern type and are of fire-proof structure. There are 10 first class wards, 20 second class, and 110 third class. These are divided into the men's department and the women's department. Besides, there are several maternity rooms. There are also a dispensary, business offices and several large kitchens.
There are two resident doctors in the hospital, eight nurses, four of whom are young ladies, and 17 Chinese and foreign visit—ing practitioners of Chinese and Western medicine. An ambulance is also provided.
Among those who were present yesterday were members of the Consular Body, representatives of the Military Governors of Kiangsu, Chekiang, and Shanghai and Sungkiang, Chinese and foreign medical practitioners, and delegates from the different organizations.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.