F. Snooker, Esq.
Sussex Agricultural Express, Saturday 24 July 1897
The opening ceremony was graciously performed by her Royal Highness, who was accompanied by Lord and Lady Battersea, and attended by Colonel Arthur Collins. The Princess was received by Mr. C. J. Thomas (chairman of the Metropolitan Hospital), Lord Battersea (one of the treasurers), several members of the Committee of Management, and Mr. Byers (secretary), and amongst those present were the Earl of Cranbrook, Lord and Lady Medway, General Sir W. Stanley Hamilton, Major Fairfax Archer, Colonel Ready, Major Usborne, Mrs. Edwards, Lady Alexander, Mrs. Cornwallis, Revs. J. D. M. Crofts. A. B. Sanders, and Septimus Buss, Lieut.-Colonel Monteflore, Mr. Lawrence Hardy, M.P., C. J. Thomas, Esq., F. Snooker, Esq., W. J. Fry, Esq., W. Goodsall, Esq., and many others. The Marquis of Lorne and Mr. Edwards were unable to be present.