Charming weather favoured the formal opening of the Goan Institute on Saturday afternoon which in all particulars was an unqualified success. A spacious awning tastefully decorated with flags, flowers, asparagus fern and floating pendants was reared over the driveway, the British and Portuguese flags flapping side by side in the cooling breeze. Under this at the west end a dais was reserved for the guests of the afternoon Mr. Hobley, supported on either side by Rev. Father Tom Burke and Mr. R. J. Stordy. Quite a representative gathering of citizens was interested in the proceedings and the Goan Community was of course strongly represented.

The 3rd K.A.R. Band (with kind permission of the O. C. and Officers) struck up "God save the King," after which Mr. J. M. Campos, President of the Institute, opened the formalities in the following able Address:

Mr. Hobley, Ladies and Gentlemen, On behalf of the members, I beg to welcome you on this, to us, memorable occasion of the inauguration of the Goan Institute.

For some time past the necessity of an organization, which would afford us facilities for social and intellectual intercourse, has been considered most imperative, particularly by the fact that the lack of such an organisation would, some day, exercise an influence calculated to be detrimental to the interests of the Goan Community as a whole: Its absence would ultimately act as a disorganizing and dissolving factor amongst the members of this body which, exclusive of the Africans, represents about one-eighth part of the various communities which constitute the population of the town.

Having regard to this fact, necessary stops were taken for the foundation of the Institute on the 11th June 1905, and its foundation stone was laid on the 22nd July last, with a view to having, to start with, a building suitable for a library, billiards, concerts and dramatic performances with a tennis court, and football and cricket club attached.

For a long time the idea of having such an institution had been under consideration, and now due to some material help which has been accorded us by the Goans in and out of Nairobi, and to the efforts of the Executive Committee and its Honorary Secretary Mr. Lewis Siqueira, we are able to realise our desire of possessing a place absolutely necessary for the advancement of the community in a social, moral and intellectual sense.

It must also be confessed that the institution owes its existence not a little to the circumstance that we are subjects of a nation so closely allied to the British Empire, and that we have been courteously and generously seconded in our efforts by all the Government functionaries with whom we had the occasion of dealing.

The Institute is at the present moment but in a modest and primitive stage, but the many deficiencies will be met in due course.

I thank you, Ladies and Gentlemen for your kindly attendance here today, and request Mr. Hobley to confer upon us the honour of declaring the Institute open.

To which Mr. Hobley responded most happily as follows:------

Mr. President and Members of the Goan Institute: I beg to thank you for the honour you have done me in asking me to open this Institution and I can assure you that I am greatly struck by the enterprise of your Community in building such a fine edifice. I am particularly appreciative of your efforts because I note that you have had the good sense to build in stone and this shews me that you have faith in the future of this country. Optimism tempered by judgment is the only creed for this country, and those who do not believe this doctrine had better leave it at once. When I arrived in Mombasa in 1890 we were almost solely dependent for European supplies on two firms of your community, Messrs M. R. de Sousa and Messrs Pereira, the death of the former I much regret to say occurring about a year or so ago. These pioneers had faith in the country and although the career of the Chartered Company was uncertain and the prospects of this becoming a British Colony were very small, these firms were optimists and so laid the foundation of flourishing businesses.

Looking back over an experience extending over 16 ½ years I hope you will allow to me to express my appreciation of the loyal way in which I have been served by many members of your Community, and the patience they exhibited under many trying and adverse conditions.

As the country develops - more will be asked of you and I hope you will do your best to take your place in the future progress of the land, and to better enable you to do this, I would ask your Committee to consider the Institute as an Educational centre and not only as a centre of amusement.

I would like to add a word on the management of the Institute and recommend you to always exercise great care in the selection of your Committee; elect the best educated and strongest men you can find and give them a free hand and trust them to keep up the character of the establishment and support them in checking the exuberance of unruly members.

I now beg to declare this Institute open and to wish it every prosperity.

A silver key lying on a small tray of similar metal, was then handed to Mr. Hobley by Mr. Campos which bore the following inscription "Goan Institute, Nairobi. Opened by C. W. Hobley Esq. C.M.G., H. M. Assistant-Deputy-Commissioner, 8th December 1906. A move was then made towards the main entrance of the handsome stone building and approaching the door, inserting the key in the lock and opening it Mr. Hobley said, "I now declare this Institute open and to wish it every success," the band playing the Portuguese National Anthem. Access to the building being now possible Mr. Hobley entered followed by the guests. Champagne was served and success to the "Goan Institute" was drank. Mrs. Hobley tested the piano, singing also charmingly a song. Tea and refreshments were served and the ceremony was closed by the band playing the National Anthem.

J. A. Nazareth and Bro. catered to the wants of the guests. This fine building now dedicated to its uses can be made a means of lasting good, and it is hoped those gentlemen guiding the interests of the Goan Community may always keep in view the objects of the founders and guard them. The carrying to complete fruition of this Institution reflects great credit on Mr. L. Sequeira the Secretary, and Mr. Antony H. Fernandes the Treasurer, while the construction of the building was under the supervision principally of Mr. Julio de Souza, Mr. Dias St. Ann and Mr. J. B. de Souza.

To finish up the day's festivities a dance was held in the spacious hall in the evening, the Military band rendering the music.

A fine billiard table occupies one end of the room, and the tables are amply supplied with current literature, whilst the walls are very tastefully hung with excellent prints, the doors and windows being also neatly curtained. A tout ensemble of pleasing effect and a general result of which the Goans of Nairobi should be proud.