Laying the Memorial Stone of the New Building

ON THURSDAY, her Royal Highness Princess Henry of Battenberg laid the memorial stone of the new buildings of the North-Eastern Hospital for Children, Hackney-road. A spacious marquee was erected for the occasion, and, before the arrival of the Princess, there was held a musical entertainment, in which the string band of the Scots Guards, the band of the Honourable Artillery Company, and several vocalists took part.

On the arrival of her Royal Highness, the Honourable Artillery Company formed a guard of honour, and she was received at the entrance by the Bishop of London, Lord F. FitzRoy, Lord William Cecil, Mr. C. J. G. Port (chairman of the building committee), Miss Phillips (foundress of the Hospital), and others, there being also present on the platform the Duke of Grafton, the Earl and Countess of Clanwilliam, Lady Katherine Meade, Lady William Cecil, Lady Frederick FitzRoy, and several other ladies and gentlemen.

A bouquet was presented by a juvenile patient of the Institution to her Royal Highness, and, on her arrival at the platform, the National Anthem was sung, and the Mayors and Mayoresses of Bethnal-green, Hackney, and Shoreditch were presented. The Bishop of London offered prayer, and was followed by Lord Frederick FitzRoy, who thanked the Princess for her presence and the interest that she had manifested in the welfare of the Charity.

Mr. C. J. G. Port then read an address, which, after welcoming her Royal Highness, explained that the committee had adopted a comprehensive scheme of enlargement, of which the new building formed the chief portion. The building would cost about £30,000, and about £13,000 was required to enable it to be opened next year free from debt. There would be additional wards for 50 beds, a new operation room, and accident rooms. In the neighbouring districts, £l,000 had been collected.

The architect, Mr. Marshall, and the builder, Mr. Nightingale, were presented to the Princess, and Mr. Nightingale then handed her Royal Highness a silver trowel, by the aid of which she laid the stone with the usual formalities. This being accomplished, the Bishop of London pronounced the Benediction. Her Royal Highness then received purses collected “by the children of the rich who work for the children of the poor,” under the scheme of the “Gentlewoman,” to complete the endowment of a cot as a memorial to Prince Christian Victor.

Mr. Godlee, the treasurer of the Institution, explained the financial situation, and her Royal Highness, escorted by the reception committee, then proceeded to inspect the wards, and during her progress named the cot endowed by the children, “In Memoriam Prince Christian Victor.” It was announced that Princess Christian had sent a message expressing her heartfelt thanks to the children “ for what they had done to help the sufferings of others,” and her gladness that so good a work should be associated with the name of her dear son.”