CLUBS(29)
Continuation.
When the Club Germania moved to Kennedy Road, at the end of 1902, the German Institution's premises in Wyndham Street (at the end of the present On Lan Street), became vacant, and in 1903, the Bowling Club went into these fresh premises, using the bowling alley existing there.
It was re-constituted with the appropriate name of the Phoenix Club about 1908. Defalcations by employees had resulted in a temporary set-back, but, as we have seen above, there was a revival, and the club moved to King's Building on the seafront in 1910.
There it remained an entity until it was wound up in 1925, and its rooms were taken over by its next-door neighbours, the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders.
One of the names which will always be prominently associated with the enterprise is that of Mr. J. A. Tarrant. When Mr. J. A. Tarrant first arrived in the Colony, early in 1898, he occupied rooms in the New Club, and after that was associated with its successors for the remainder of their existence. In 1912 he was elected chairman of the flourishing Phoenix Club, and for many years - as chairman, hon. secretary and generally - his energies were successfully expended in putting the institution on a sound footing.
It was the big strike of 1925, which led to the closing down of the Phoenix Club -- the effects of that upheaval sadly depleted its membership and finances. Mr. Tarrant had the satisfaction of giving it an honourable burial, guiding its destinies to the end, when towards the close of that year it was bought up at its full book value by the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders, whose reading room, ladies' room and refreshment rooms now occupy the old club's premises.
...
From a membership of about fifty the club at one time had a roll of fully 200, including many American residents, and averaged some 200 in its better days.
CLUBS(30)
OLD GERMAN CLUB HOUSE.
(All Rights of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved.)
known
The history of the German Club in Hongkong originally as the Club Concordia and then the Club Germania has already been given in this series (see 5 and 7-1-35). The first premises of a commodious kind ever built for the club were erected in the early Seventies, in Wyndham Street and served until the move to Kennedy Road in 1903. Later the Phoenix Club took over these premises. The building stood practically opposite the Morning Post offices; alongside what is now known as On Lan Street. It was demolished some years ago, being replaced by Chinese shops and flats.
I give to-day an interesting extract from an old record which describes the actual premises. It is dated February 1, 1872, and refers to the handsome building erected for the German Club, of which Messrs. Wilson and Salway are the Architects. The account continues:
233
CLUBS ( 29 )
Continuation.
When the Club Germania moved to Kennedy Road, at the end of 1902, the German Institution's premises in Wyndham Street (at the end of the present On Lan Street ), became vacant, and in 1903, the Bowling Club went into these fresh premises, using the bowling alley existing there.
It was re-constituted with the appropriate name of the Phoenix Club about 1908. Defalcations by employees had resulted in a temporary set-babk, but, as we have seen above, there was a revival, and the club moved to King's Building on the seafront in 1910.
There it remained and entity until it was wound up in 1925, and its rooms were taken over by its reemo-were-taken next door neighbours, the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders.
One of the names which will always be prominently asso- ciated with the enterprise is that of Mr. J. A. Tarrant, When Mre J. A. Tarrant first arrived in the Colony, early in 1898, he occupied rooms in the New Club, and after that was associated with its auccessors for the remainder of their existence. In 1912 he was elected chairman, of the flourishing Phoenix Club, and for many years - as chairman, hon. secrep tary and generally - his energies were successfully expended in putting the institution on a sound footing.
It was the big strike of 1925, which led to the closing down of the Phoenic Club -- the effects of that upheaval sad-~- ly depleted its membership and finances. Mr. Tarrant had the satisfaction of giving it an honourable burial, guiding its destinies to the end, when towards the close of that year it was bought up at its full book value by the Institu- tion of Engineers and Shipbuilders, whose reading room, ladies'.room and refreshment rooms now occupy the old club's preniseal
...
From a membership of about fifty the club at one time had a roll of fully 200, including many American residents, and averaged some 200 in its better days.
CLUBS ( 30 )
OLD GERMAN CLUB HOUSE.
>
( All Rights of Reproduction are Strictly Reserved. )
known
The history of the German Club in Hongkong originally as the Club Concordia and then the Club Germania has already been given in this series (see 5 and 7-1-35 ) The first premises of a commodious kind ever built for the
lub were erected in the early Seventies, in Wyndham Street and served until the move to Kennedy Road in 1903, Later the Phoenix Club took over these premises. The building stood practically opposite the Morning Post offices; along- side what is now known as On Lan Street. It was demolished some years ago, being replaced by Chinese shops and flats.
I give to-day an intresting extract from an old record which describes the actual premises. It is dated February 1, 1872, and refers to the handsome building erected for the German Club, of which Messrs. Wilson and Salway are the Archi- tects The account continues:
*
233
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