Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 961

HONGKONG

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nelling was necessary, proving too expensive. The construction of a line from Wanchai to Mt. Caroline, giving access to new building sites on the higher levels, has been promised for several years past by the Government but though a sum of money was voted for the purpose by the Legislative Council in 1919. the projects has been shelved up to date on one pretext or another. An auto- matic telephone exchange was erected early in 1930 and the change over took place in May.

INSTITUTIONS

There are several Clubs in the Colony. The principal are the Hongkong. Club on the Praya, the Club Lusitano in Ice House Street, the Sport Club on the Praya, and American, Dutch and Japanese Clubs. The Hongkong Club is a handsome building replete with every modern comfort; a large annexe was completed in 1902. The Peak Club is domiciled in a pretty build- ing at Plunkett Gap, and possesses tennis and croquet lawns on land adjoin- ing. There are also the Hong Kong Jockey Club, United Services Recreation Club (Kowloon), the Club de Recreio, the Craigengower Cricket Club, the Civil Service Cricket Club, the Deutsche Club, the Filipino Club, the Indian Recreation Club, the Ladies Recreation Club, the South China Athletic Association, the Chinese Athletic Association, the Chinese Recreation Club, the Victoria Recrea tion Club, the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Hong Kong Polo Club. The Royal Hongkong Golf Club has four courses, Happy Valley and Deep- Water Bay (9 holes each) and Fanling (two 18 holes courses, the "new" and the "old"). There are also Hockey Clubs, a Chess Club, and a Yacht Club. In 1928 the Sports Club housed in King's Building was opened by H. E. the Officer Administering the Government, the Hon. Mr. (now Sir) Wilfrid Southorn. The main object of this Club was that residents of all nationalities could meet socially.. It has proved to be a great success. The Ladies' Recreation Club have several prettily laid-out tennis courts and a pavilion in their grounds on the Peak Road.

The Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce have rooms in the Char- tered Bank Building. The Committee form its executive, and the Chamber is frequently asked by the Government for its opinion on questions affecting commerce. There is a branch of the China Association, with its separate Committee. A Chinese Chamber of Commerce was established in 1920 and has since been of great service, not only to the Chinese merchants of Hong- kong but to Chinese merchants overseas. The Freemasons' Hall, erected in 1865, is situated in Zetland Street, and, by an arrangement concluded in 1922 at the suggestion of the parent Lodge, has now become the joint property of all the Lodges in the Colony. The Institution of Marine Engineers watches over the interests of that profession. The Hongkong Benevolent Society does good work among those who are occasionally cast destitute on the Colony. The Helena May Institute for Women, named after Lady May, situated in Garden Road, was opened on September 12th, 1916, and extended in 1922. In January, 1930, a branch was opened in Kowloon by Lady Clementi. Among other institutions are the St. Andrew's Society, primarily established to ensure the fitting celebration of the anniversity of Scotland's patron saint; the St. George's Society, started in 1927; St. David's Society, St. Patrick's Society, the Kowloon Residents' Association, the English Association, the Mid-Levels Residents Association and the Peak Residents' Association.

Under the auspices of the Hongkong Jockey Club pony racing is con- ducted in the Colony. The annual meeting which lasts five days is generally arranged to take place about a fortnight after Chinese New Year. After the annual meeting a number of "extra" meetings are held, there being about twenty race days in the year not including the annual meeting. Steeple- chasing was introduced into the Colony a few years ago and the meetings of the Fanling Hunt Club are now very popular. One meeting a month is held except during July and August when it is too hot for racing.

Athletic sports are held every year by the residents, schools, and the garrison. and great interest is shown by the public. Football is far and away the' most popular form of sport as it has in recent years got a grip on the Chinese