THE Bega Standard reported that the ceremony began with the hospital committee president, Mr Charles Tarlton Stiles, presiding.

He said he "had very little doubt of the success of the hospital when he saw so many ladies present, and if they continued to take an interest in the hospital the committee would have no fear".

Mr Stiles reminded everyone that it had taken some years to get the hospital to its present state. He said some difficulty with the site had arisen, some wanting the hospital in town and some out of it, until the matter was set at rest by the government giving them land on which the building now stood, and he thought everyone would agree that it was a pretty one.

He hopes it would soon be connected with the town by telephone, when all objections to the distance would be overcome. He would have to speak about money for without it they could not keep on. The treasurer would give them an outline on how money matters stood. At present they were not in debt, but they would have to get things necessary at the cost of 300 pounds.

He then called on Mr Robert Lucas Tooth to formally open the building.

Mr Tooth, who was received with applause, said it was most gratifying to him to receive the invitation to formally open the building.

The building before them represented the liberality of the people of the district, and the sympathy they felt for the suffering they saw around them.

The hospital was only an offshoot of those big institutions which in the old country received such splendid support.