CLUBS(23)
Continuation.
Bowling: J. T. Dixon 3 for 76 R, E. O. Bird 1 for 62 Morrell 4 for 49 Mackay 2 for 20.
223
CLUBS(241
THE FIRST RECREATION GROUND 1
(All Right of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved)
ground
The opening of a naval recreation ground at Causeway Bay, formerly the Polo Club preserve, recalls the first public recreation ground which the Colony obtained from the authorities- the area now used by the Hongkong Cricket Club. This land was successfully claimed by the civilian community just ten years after the occupation of the island by Britain, and it is evidently no more coincidence that the H. K. Cricket Club (see 9-11 33) was formed that same year and month, June 1851.
It appears that for some years the area had been a sandy waste- it stood originally by the waterfront - and was turned to by the military authorities for use as a drill ground.
It is evident however, that the present Murray parade ground has also been in use from an early period. References to the matter, in old records show that the lower area, the present cricket ground, was utilised in the Fifties as a drilling place on occasions when there was an overflow from the other parade ground - and the right to such user has been retained until to-day.
There is also evidence that the sea-front patch was used in the Forties and possibly even later, for general military purposes. In an old plan in the Land office a military shed is marked almost in the middle of the ground. Again, if we trace the history of Murray Pier, we find it is "descended" from an old military landing stage which led directly on to the present cricket ground.
It should be borne in mind that the civilian public did not get immediate use of the ground in its entirety; but from the early Fifties gradually extended their claim and eventually became so strongly entrenched that no further routine parades were held there: and as the years went by the H. K. Cricket Club gradually monopolised the ground and the general public came to be excluded.
Let us take first the matter of the Government being urged to recognise the rights of civilians to a recreation ground.
A newspaper report dated June 12, 1851 gives the following:
A public meeting called by advertisement was held within the Theatre on Saturday last, "for the purpose of adopting measures for converting the present Parade Ground and vacant space on the sea side, into a place for public recreation."
On the motion of Mr. Campbell, the Honourable Mr. Edger, was called to the chair and requested Mr. Shortrede to act as Secretary. The Chairman having stated generally the objects of the meeting called upon Mr. Bridges who entered more fully into particulars to the following purport:
CLUBS ( 23 )
Continuation.
Bowling: J. T. Dixon 3 for 76 R, E. O. Bird 1 for 62 Morrell 4 for 49 Mackay 2 for 20.
223
CLUBS (241
THE FIRST RECREATION GROUND 1
(All Right of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved)
ground
The opening of a naval recreation/at Causeway Bay, formerly the Polo Club preserve, recalls the first public
Acreation round which the Colony obtained from the authorities- the area now used by the Hongkong Cricket Club. This land was successfully claimed by the civilian community just ten years after the occupation of the island by Britain, and it is evi- dently no more coincidence that the H. K. Cricket Club (see 9-11 33) was formed that same year and month, June 1851.
It appears that for some years the area had been a s andy waste- it stood originally by the waterfront - and was turned to by, the military authorities for use as a drill ground.
·
It is evident however, that the present Murray parade ground has also been in use from an early period. References to the matter, in old records show that the lower area, the present cricket ground, was tutilised in the Fifties as a drilling places on occasions when there was an overflow from the other parade ground - and the right to such user has been retained until to- Lay.
'↓
There is also evidence that the sea-front patch was used in the Forties and possibly even later, for general military purposes. In an old plan in the Land office a military shed is marked almost in the middle of theground. Again, if we trace the history of Murray Pier, we find it is " descended " from an old military landing arage which led directly on to the present cricket ground.
It should be borne in mind that the civilian public did not get immediate use of the ground in its entirety; but from the early Fifties gradually extended their claim and e ventually became so strongly entrenched that no further routine parades were held there: and as the years went by the H. K. Cricket Club gradually monopolised the ground and the general public came to be excluded.
Let us take first the matter of the Government being arged to recognise the rights of wivilizns to a recreation ground.
A newspaper report dated June 12, 1851 gives the following:
A public meeting called by advertisement was held withim the Theatre on Saturday last, " for the purpose of adopting
easures for converting the present Parade Ground and vacant pace on the sea side, into a place for public recreation. "
On the motion of Mr. Campbell, the Honourable Mr. Edger, was called to the chair and requested Mr. Shortrede to act as Secretary. The Chairman having stated generally the objects pf tje,eetong called sapon Mr. Bridges who entered more fully into particulars to the following purport:
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