The Jubilee of the Club Lusitano was celebrated on December 16, 1916, with a reception in the afternoon, when a large number of friends from all communities attended; followed by a ball in the evening amongst the members and their friends. In 1919 it was decided to move to a more central location and the present site was secured and the Club Lusitano as it is known to-day was erected.
Reference to old newspaper files - possibly the most interesting source of contemporary history - gives us several items connected with the old club which are worthy of permanent record. Here is a reference, for instance, to the demolition of the club's theatre, evidently a step which was regretted by many. Looking through the Hongkong Times of June, 1873, I find the following:
"We are sorry to hear that the Directors of the Lusitano Club have determined to put an end to their beautiful theatre by pulling it down as soon as the last performance, which is to be given some time this week by the Portuguese amateurs, has taken place. In lieu of the theatre, they are going to enlarge the Club, with rooms for the members, the present accommodation being deemed insufficient.
One of the club's founders was Mr. J. A. Barretto, and in the Hongkong Telegraph of November 26, 1881, appears the following:
"The death is announced at Manila of J. A. Barretto, one of the oldest residents of the Colony. Mr. Barretto was for a long time book-keeper to Messrs. Jardine, Matheson & Co., and afterwards acted as Portuguese Consul in Hongkong. His name was closely associated with the establishment of the Club Lusitano; in fact, he may be said to have been the prime mover in the foundation of that institution, as he advanced no less than three-fourths of the money necessary for its establishment. Owing to the important services rendered by him, a life-size likeness of Mr. Barretto was placed in the Hall of the Club, although it was afterwards removed when the Club was free from debt, which act was anything but a compliment to the deceased gentleman.
The community's interests were jealously guarded at times, and in another newspaper record, we find that an extraordinary meeting of members of the Club Lusitano was held on July 14, 1882, then to consider the remarks made by the then Consul for Portugal in Hongkong, concerning the Portuguese community in the course of evidence during the hearing of a case at the Police Court. It is evident that some of the members deeply resented the remarks he had made.
Through the years that have gone by, the club has stood forth as the focus of the community's many interests.