CLUBS (10)
In the course of the notes on local clubs, reference has been made from time to time to the Hongkong Club, the oldest of all the local institutions of a social nature and throughout its long history the headquarters of the British official and mercantile community. According to the records the Hongkong Club was opened on May 26, 1846, in its premises at Queen's Road Central, at the corner of Wyndham Street, on the site now occupied by the King's Theatre. The Club stood here until July, 1897, when it moved into the present more commodious premises, then newly erected on the partly reclaimed Praya.
The Club was opened in 1846 with a grand ball, and some of the objects for which the institution was formed are set out in the old Rules. A copy of these rules dated April 1863, states: "The object of The Hongkong Club will be best understood thus: Upon the establishment of the Island as a British settlement a new era commenced in the social relations of previous to the War there were only a few Merchants, intimately acquainted with one another, but in consequence of the new arrangements there are now in Hongkong, the Civil Servants of Government, the Naval Service, the Military Service, and the Mercantile Community, each of whom have hitherto remained almost isolated, in habits and intercourse from the others. One object of the Club is to assist in producing a greater community of feeling among these classes.
"Further: Hongkong is destined from its position to be The Headquarters of British Government and Commerce in China. Constant communication being kept up with Canton and the Northern Ports, it will be the temporary resort of the residents from these places, while the newly acquired Steam Communication will no doubt bring an increased number of Visitors from other countries. To all such the Club cannot fail to be an immense convenience.
The year after the Club was founded we have the following comments published in an old chronicle (1847): "It is a handsome three-storied building and with the out offices covers nearly a third of an acre of ground. The interior arrangements are very elegant and reflect great credit on the Architect (Mr. S. Strachan) for whose design for the building a premium was awarded. The entrance Hall and grand staircase in the centre supported on fluted columns with capitals in the Corinthian order has a very noble effect. The formation of this Club owes its origin to a desire of promoting a general community of feeling among the Mercantile residents, and between them and the Members of the various branches of Her Majesty's Service, stationed in the Colony.
"The Cost of the building and Furniture has exceeded £15,000 for raising which sum Shares of £100 each were taken principally by the Merchants among themselves and the standing Committee for the time being, constitute a board of Trustees for the Shareholders at large. Members are admitted by ballot, two black balls in a ballot of Ten, excluding; besides an entrance fee of $180, a subscription of $4 per month is payable quarterly in advance. Distinguished Strangers visiting Hongkong are eligible as Honorary Members, and pay neither entrance fee nor subscription.
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CLUBS ( 10 )
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In the course of the notes on local clubs, reference has been made from time to time to the Hongkong Club, the oldest of all the local institutions of a social nature and through- out its long history the headquarters of the British official and mercantile community. A ccording to the records the Hongkong Club was opened on May 26, 1846, in its premises at Queen's Road Central, at the corner of Wyndham Street, on the site now occupied by the King's Theatre. The Club stood here until July, 1897, when it moved into the present more commodious premises, then newly erected on the partly reclaimed Praya.
The Club was opened in 1846 with a grand ball, and some of the objects for which the institution was formed are set out in the old Rules. A copy of these rules dated April 1863, atates:
"The object of" The Hongkong Club " will be best under- stood makra: Upon the establishment of the Island as a British settlement a new era commenced in the social relations of pre- vious to the War there were only a few Merchants, intimately acquainted with one another, but in consequence of the new arraggements there are now in Hongkong, the Civil Servants of Government, the Naval Service, the Military Service, and the Mercantile 6ommunity, each of whom have hitherto remained almost isolated, in habite and intercourse from the others. One object of the Club is to assist in producing a greater community of feeling among these classes.
"Further: Hongkong is destined from its position to be The Meadquarters of British Government and Commerce in China.
constant communication being kept up with Canton Mecao, and he Northern Ports, it will be the temporary resort of the tesident from these places, while the newly acquired Steam Communication will no doubt bring an increased number of Visitors from other countries. To all such the Club cannot fail to be an immense convenience.
The year after the Club was founded we have the following comments published in am old chronicle ( 18472):
" It is a handsome three storied building and with the out offices covers nearly the third of an acre of ground. The interior arrangements are very elegant and reflect great credit or the Architect (Mr. S. Strachan for whose design for the building a premium was awarded. The entrance Hall and grand stair case in the centre supported on fluted columns with capitals in the Corinthian order has a very noble effect. The formation of this Club owes, its origin to a desire of promoting a general community of feeling, among the Mercantile, residents, and between them and the Members of the various branches of Her Majesty's Service, stationed in the Colony.
"The Cost of the building and Furniture has exceeded £15,000 for raising which sum Shares of £100 each were taken principally by the Merchante among themselves and the standing Committee for the time being, consitatute a board of Trustees for the Shareholders at large.
"Members are admitted by ballot, two black balls in a ballot of Ten, excluding : besides and entrance free of 180 a subscription of $4 per month is payable quarterly in advance Distinguished Strangers visiting Hongkong are eligible as Honorary Members, and pay neither entrance fee nor subscription
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