CLUBS (1)
"Towndweller".— "The German Club a building in the Gothic style stood behind the A. P. C. building facing Wyndham Street and was sold when the Club moved into the spacious building on Kennedy Road when completed. It is now St. Joseph's College.
Opposite the latter (191)
Next door, "It must be widely known, among the present generation, that the King's Theatre occupies the site of the old Hongkong Club building. It was the Post Office, and the Treasury upstairs. The Supreme Court and Land Office buildings reared their ancient heads. The sites now contain Pedder and China Buildings and the Queen's Theatre. But prior to the erection of the Queen's, the Land Office had given place to Watkins Dispensary, the ground being leased temporarily from Government.
The reference to the Hongkong Club's old premises recalls that the club was opened on May 26, 1845, in the building which was last occupied by the Yee Sang Fat Co., and was demolished a few years ago for the erection of the King's Theatre, in Wyndham Street, which was demolished at the same time, had been the Club's bowling alley. It is on record that the original Club building cost £15,000, quite a big sum in those days.
I have to thank "R. McW." for an interesting contribution to-day on local clubs, as he recollects them some years ago and as he recalls mention of them. My contributor writes:-
3
"One day someone will write in detail the history of the Victoria Recreation Club, its ups and downs and crossings and recrossings over the Harbour. As far as I can gather, its site to-day is not so far removed from its original site, although for a time it had to migrate to Kowloon while the Naval Yard was being extended.
"Another club, the history of which should prove interesting, is the Club Germania. I have a note that this Club was first housed in Ice House Lane (now the southern portion of Ice House Street) and then it was known as the Club Concordia, later going to Wyndham Street. Perhaps some reader will confirm or otherwise. A quarter of a century ago the Club Germania was still in Wyndham Street (Flower Street as it was then known) on a site where On Lan Street is now. Afterwards they removed to a palatial building on Kennedy Road. After the war, this building was occupied by St. Joseph's College.
"No mention of Flower Street would be complete without reference to the Flower Market, which for many years existed on the pavement outside the Tee Sang Fat Building. As stated before, this building (now the site of the King's Theatre) was where the old Hongkong Club stood before occupying its new quarters on the Praya.
"Histories could also be written of the Hongkong Cricket Club and the Golf Club. Many residents in Hongkong still remember the Club-house of the latter being burnt down during the disastrous Happy Valley fire in 1918.
"To return, however, to Wyndham Street. It is recorded that the "New Club" was inaugurated in the old Hongkong Club building. I wonder if there are any residents in the Colony to-day who remember this Club and can supply any particulars.
"I have a note that a few of its members started the bowling Club in the old Bowling alley, which belonged to the Hongkong Club, and which afterwards was converted into the Bijou and Coronet Theatres.
CLUBS ( 1 }
*Towndweller".-" The German Club a building in the Gothic style stood behing the A. P. C. building facing Wyndham Street and was sold when the Club moved into the spacious building on Kennedy Road when completed. is now St. Joseph's College.
The latter
191
Opposite
Next door,
" It must be widely known, among the present generation among the present generation eve, that the King's Theatre occupies the site of the old Hongkong Club building. was the Post Office, and the Treasury upstairs. the Supreme Court and Land Office buildings reared their ancient heads. The sites now dontain Pedder and China Buildings and the Queen's Theatre. But prior to the erection of the Queen's, the Land office had given place to watkins Dispensary, the ground being leased temporarily from Government.
The reference to the Hongkong Club's old premises recalls that the club was opened on May 26, 1845, in the building which was last occupied by the Yee Sang Fat Co., and was demo- lished afew years ago for erection of the King's Theatre, in Wyndham Street, which was demolished at the same time, had bee n the Club's bowling alley. It is on record that the original Club building cost £15,000 quite a big sum in those days.
I have to thank " R. McW. " for an interesting contri- bution to-day on local clubs, as he recollects them some years ago and as he recalls mention of them. My contributor writes:-
3
"One day someone will write in detail the history of the Vitoria Recreation Club, ita ups and downs and creesings and recrossings over the Harbour. As far as I can gather, its site to-day is not so far removed from its original site, al- though for a time it had to migrate to Kowloon while the Naval Yard was being extended.
"Another club, the history of which should prove interes- ting, is the Club Germania. I have a note that this Club was first housed in Ice House Lane (now the southern portion of Ice House Street) and then it was known as the Club Concordia later going to Wyndham, Street. Perhaps some reader will confirm or otherwise. A quarter of a century ago the Club Germania was still in the Wyndham Street ( Flower Street as it was then known ) on a site where On Lan Street is now. Afterwards they removed to a palatial building in this Kennedy Road. After the var this building was occupied by St. Joseph's College.
"No mention of Flower Street would be complete without reference to the Flower Market which for many years existed on the pavement outside the Tee Sang Fat Building. As stated before, this building (now the site of the King's Theatre ) was where the old Hongkong Club stood before occupying its new quarters on the Praya.
"Histories could also be written of the Hongkong Cricket Club and the Golf Club/ Many residents in Hongkong still remember the Club-house of the latter being burnt down during
he disastrous Happy Valley fire in 1918.
-
"To return however, to Wyndham Street. It is recorded that the "New Club" was inaugurated in the old Hongkong Club building.
I wonder if there are any residents in the Colony- so-day who remember this Club and can su ply any particulars.
"I have a note that a few ot its members started the sowling Club in the gid Bowling alley which belonged to the Hongkong Club, and which afterwards was converted into the Bijou and Coronet Theatres.
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