CLUBS (29) Continuation.
232
incurred through no fault of the Club itself was a debt of honour, and that, as the Club was running on prosperous lines, the effort to pay off the debt should be continued.
The resolution to remove to King's Building was accordingly carried, and the members present immediately subscribed voluntarily among themselves a fund sufficient to cover the cost of removal.
Captain Branch then, on behalf of the members, presented Mr. W. C. Drew, who leaves for England next week, with a handsomely fitted suit case in recognition of his undertaking at a difficult time, then carrying through successfully, the onerous duties of honorary secretary. Mr. Drew responded in appreciative terms, and expressed the hope that under its new roof, the Phoenix Club would continue to prosper and be the home of social intercourse and good fellowship among the members.
The paper also comments, briefly on the Club's history in the following words:
The Phoenix Club started many years ago in what was known as the "Hole in the Wall". Its members included many old and respected members of the community - some of them are now numbered with the great majority, others have left the Colony for the homeland. When the German Club left the commodious premises they had occupied for many years in Wyndham Street, the Phoenix Club entered into possession, the position of the club being at that time a flourishing one. Unfortunately, defalcations on the part of employees on more than one occasion had a depressing effect, but the members nevertheless clung together. A move to new premises was forced upon the club at the close of its lease by an unexpected demand for more rent and the subsequent letting of the place to the Nippon Club. It must therefore be gratifying to the creditors of the club that the members have so unanimously and magnanimously shouldered the responsibilities and the likelihood is that ere long, in the premises which have now been acquired, the club will free itself from the manacles of debt, and once more become the prosperous institution it deserves to be, for it fills a gap in the social life of the Colony in bringing many together, especially captains and others in widely varied walks of life, who would otherwise have no opportunity of meeting.
To the above may be added the following details of the Phoenix Club's fall, birth, death, and revival.
When the Hongkong Club left its old premises at the bottom of Wyndham Street (where the King's Theatre is to-day) in 1897, those premises were bought by A. S. Watson & Co., and let for some time. The New Club, as it was named, which was a residential club, was formed in that year (1897) and took quarters in the former Hongkong Club building. The members might be noted, and were mostly master mariners, and throughout its existence, the club membership was largely composed of the captains of vessels trading here, the others comprising men of the mercantile community.
After a little while, however, the New Club was wound up as the premises were sold by Watson's (in October 1898), and it was reorganised into a Bowling Club, which took over the Hongkong Club's former bowling alley in Wyndham Street, at the back of the old premises (later the Coronet Theatre, and since pulled down and built over). The Morning Post Building now abuts on this site.
CLUBS ( 29 ) Continuation.
232
incurred through no fault of the Club itself was a debt of honour, and that, as the Club was running on prosperous lines. the effort to pay off the debt should be continued.
The reso- lution to remove to King's Building was accordingly carried, and the members present immediately subscribed voluntarily among themselves a fund sufficient to cover the cost of remo- val.
Captain Branch then, on behalf of the members, presented Mr. W. C. Drew, who leaves for England, next week, with a hand- somely fitted suit case in recognition of his undertaking at a difficult time, then carrying through successfully, the onerous duties of honorary secretary Mr. Drew responded in appreciative terms, and expressed the hope that under its new roof :he Pheenix Club would continue to prosper and bethe home of social intere course and good fellowship among the members.
The paper also comments, briefly on the Club's history in the following words:
The Phoenix.8lub started many years ago in what was known as the " Hole in the Wall ", Its members included many old and respected members of the community - some of them are how numbered with the great majority, others have left the Colony for the homeland. When the German Club left the commodious preaisés they had occupied for many years in Wyndham Street, for the Phoenix Club entered into possession, the position of the club being at that time a flourisning one. Unfortunately defalcations on, the part of employees on more than one occasion had a depressing effect, but the members nevertheless clung together. vel to new premises was forced upon the club at the close of its lease by an unexpected demand for more rent and the subsequent letting of the place to the Nippon club. It must therefore be gratifying to the creditors of the club' that the members have so unanimously and magnanimously shouldered the responsi bilities and the likehood is that e re long, in the premises which have now been acquired, the club will free itself from the mana- cles of debt, free itself from the manacles of debt, and once more become the prosperous ånstitution it deserves to be for it fills a gap in the social life of the Colony in bringing ma- ny together, especially captains and others in widely varied walks of life, who would otherwise have no opportunity of meeting.
*
To the above may be added the following details of the Phoenix Club's fell birth, death and revival.
When the Hongkong Club left its old premises at the bottom of Wyndham Street 【 where the King's Theatre is to-day ) in 1897, those premises were bought by A. S. Watson & Co, and let for some time. The New Club, as it was named, which was a residential club, was formed in that year (1897) and took
·quarters, in theformer Hongkong Club building. The members bt might be noted, and were mostly master mariners 0 and through- out its existence the club membership was largely composed of the captains of vessäs trading here, the others comprising men of the mercantile community.
After a little while, however, the New Club was wound up as the premises were sold by Watson's ( in October 1898 ) and it was reorganised into a Bowling Club, which took over the Hongkong Club's former bowling alley in Wyndham Street, at the back of the old premises (later the Coronet Theatre, end since pulled down and built over ) The Morning Post Building now abuts on this site.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.