CLUBS(1) Continuation.
"On the removal of the Club Germania to Kennedy Road, the Bowling Club was reconstituted and transferred its activities to this building, and arising from the ashes of its own dead self, appropriately was re-named the Phoenix Club. This Club afterwards removed to King's Building, where in due season it was absorbed by the Institution of Engineers and shipbuilders of Hongkong.
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CLUBS(2)
Perhaps I might interpose here with the early history of the Engineers' Institute. In the Hongkong Telegraph of May 4, 1888 reference is made to a preliminary meeting held at the Hongkong Hotel on May 3, for the purpose of considering the advisability of establishing an Engineers' Institute, in the Colony.
There were about thirty engineers present at the meeting, Mr. Wm Parlane being voted to the chair.
A provisional committee was formed to prepare rules and arrange for another meeting. The following were appointed on a temporary Board of Management. Messrs. John Inglis (Chairman), G. Fenwick, W. Scott, A. Johnston, W. Ramsay, T. Kirkwood and J. K. Rebbick (secretary).
In the Hongkong Telegraph of May 13, that same year, reference is made to the fact that the above-named institution had the billiard room of the old Hotel De L'Univers converted into a Library and Reading Room. Mr. T. Glass was their first librarian.
"R. McW's" narrative continues:
"Then there was St. George's Club which originally started in Ice House Street, but which becoming ambitious removed to premises where now stands Exchange Building.
Reference to Ice House Street reminds me that many years ago I was informed that at one time the City Club had premises there. Here again some reader might oblige.
"I can remember the Club Lusitano in Shelley Street. Its ballroom was a thing to inspire poetry. Somewhere in Chancery Lane, was also the Club Venatorio and, in Peel Street, if I remember alright, the Club Basco da Gama.
"In the days before jazz, Hongkong had a few dance clubs. In the City Hall, the Scorpions used to gyrate fortnightly. There was also a Wanchai Club at Wild Dell, but here again someone must lend a hand for I cannot furnish further particulars of this Club.
"The Royal Asiatic Society has long since gone, but Hongkong up to not so very many years ago had an Odd Volumes Society. I seem to recollect Sir Henry Pollock's name mentioned in connection with this Society, in which case perhaps he could tell us in brief its history.