subject when Governor John Pope Hennessy planned to appoint him as His Excellency's personal secretary in charge of affairs relating to the Chinese. The British merchants were opposed to the Governor creating an office where he would have more direct communication with the Chinese. Due to their opposition, Eitel never occupied such a position. In 1895, he published Europe in China, a detailed history of Hong Kong up to that date.
Club Germania
A club for Germans was started in 1859 in Wanchai in an unpretentious building. The German-speaking population at the time would have been very small. There were three German firms and two stores conducted by Germans. Within two years, the community almost doubled. It was small, but still large enough to provide a social centre for the community. In 1865, George Michelmore advertised the opening of a hotel in premises "which were formerly known as the German Club". It was below the Headquarters House, now Flagstaff House, off the present Cotton Tree Drive. This may have been the second location of the Club, as an article written in 1909 states that the first building was in "an outlying section of Wanchai", a description which does not fit a location on what is now Cotton Tree Drive (DP, 17 May, 1865).
The club moved in 1865 to a new building erected by Gustav Overbeck at the top of Wyndham Street, just south of D'Aguilar Street. But the German population was increasing, and the Germania Club decided to build a more commodious building. This was on the east side of Wyndham Street off Queen's Road. The new building was opened in 1872. It was a brick building in the Gothic style. The architects were Messrs Wilson and Salway. The cost was $21,000. Thirteen granite steps led to the entrance, and the main hall. On either side of the hall was a billiard room and a reading room. On the same level was a library room and a bar. The Concert Hall was approached by a flight of seven-foot-wide stairs. The Hall accommodated 275 persons; on either side was a drawing room and a dining room. There were accommodations for sixty in the dining room. Four bowling alleys were in the rear of the building (HKT, 27 Nov. 1909). The building served the community well until again it became too small, and another building was erected on Kennedy Road. This building became enemy alien property in 1914 and passed into the hands of St. Joseph's College. The College is still located in the building.
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subject when Governer John Pope Hennessy planned to appoint him as His Excellency's personal secretary in charge of affairs relating to the Chinese The British merchants were opposed to the Governer creating an office where he would have more duect communication with the Chinese Due to their opposition Eitel never occupied such a position. In 1895, be published Europe in China, a detailed history of Hong Kong up to that date.
Club Germania
A club for Germans was started in 1859 in Wanchai in an upretentious building. The German speaking population at the time would have been very small. There were three German firms and two stores conducted by Germans. Within two years the community almost doubled. It was small, but still large enough to provide a social centre for the community. In 1865 George Michelmore advertised the opening of a hotel in premises "which were formerly known as the German Club". It was below the Headquarters House now Flagstaff House off the present Cotton Tree Drive. This may have been the seond location of the Club as an article written in 1909 states that the first building was in "an outlaying section of Wanchai", a description which does not fit a location on what is now Cotton Tice Drive (DP, 17 May, 1865),
The club moved in 1865 to a new building erected by Gustav Overbeck at the top of Wyndham Street just south of D'Aguilar Street But the German population was increasing and the Germania Club decided to build a more commodious building. This was on the east side of Wyndham Street off Queen's Road. The new building was opened in 1872. It was a brick building in the Gothic style. The architects were Messrs Wilson and Salway. The cost was $21,000. Thirteen granite steps led to the entrance and the main hall On the either side of the hall was a billiard room and a reading room. On the same level was a library room and a bat The Concert Hall was approached by a light of seven foot wide stars The Hall accommodated 275 persons, on either side was a drawing room and a dining 100m. There were accommodations for sixty in the dining room. Four bowling alleys were in the rear of the building (HKT, 27 Nov. 1909) The building served the community well until again it became too small and another building was erected on Kennedy Road. This building became enemy alien property in 1914 and passed into the hands of St. Joseph College The College is still located in the building
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