CLUBS (26) Continuation.
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It is evident that the use of the race-course was not granted the R.H.K. Golf Club obtained the use in the course - and the polo players settled down at Causeway Bay, where they later built a small but substantial pavilion.
The grant of the land by Government, as it will be seen, was originally for two years, but was later extended.
For some time the Polo Club ground has been the venue for pony gymkhanas. It is interesting, therefore, to note that a duly constituted Gymkhana Club (on a mainly racing basis) existed in Hongkong at one time.
It was founded in 1902, when there was only one annual race meeting. The Club seems to have been formed under the wings of the H.K. Jockey Club, and its membership was confined to those already belonging to the Jockey Club and to naval and military officers. It carried on a precarious existence for some years, using the Happy Valley race-course on occasion, but the increased interest in racing and more frequent meetings made the separate existence of such a body as the Gymkhana Club hardly necessary. Accordingly, it was decided to wind it up in 1921, when the Hongkong Jockey Club took over the assets and liabilities.
The Saturday afternoon "extra" race meetings which were then organised - approximately five in a year - coincided with the Gymkhana Club meetings.
Since then, the Colony's "gymkhanas" have been social events of a somewhat festive nature, with no actual pony race attached, and the Polo Club's ground at Causeway Bay has been requisitioned for these occasions.
CLUBS (27)
THE GERMAN CLUB'S HISTORY
(All Rights of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved).
Germans came to Hongkong in its early years as missionaries as well as traders, and some of the existing firms date their connection with the Colony as far back as the Fifties and Sixties; for example, Siemsen & Co. came here from Canton in 1855, and there were others (such as Pustau & Co.) founded in the earliest years which are now defunct; while the Rhenish and Basel Missions were established here as early as 1847.
It is only natural, then, that a German Club should have been founded many years ago - in 1859. It grew in importance with the growth of the German community, and its half-century was celebrated in great style, with much cordiality between the British and German residents.
I take the following summary of the Club's history from the C.M. POST of November 27, 1909, which notes the attainment of the golden jubilee: