thrown into one. while the verandah forms a pleasant and cool retreat during the intervals. The latest newspapers and magazines may be seen in the reading room, which contains also a small library. Ladies of a member's family are admitted to the privileges of membership, and altogether the Club serves as a charming and convenient centre for social intercourse among the residents of the neighbourhood.
The idea of establishing the Club originated with Sir Thomas Jackson, Bart. (then chief manager of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation), the late Major Moore, and several other Peak residents, in the year 1893. The house known as "The Homestead," now occupied by Lieut.-Colonel Carter, was taken on a short lease from its owner, the late Mr. Granville Sharp, and, as the regulations provided that the ladies of a member's family were privileged to make use of the Club, it was soon found that a long-felt want had been supplied. A committee of management was formed, presided over by Sir Thomas Jackson, who continued in office until his retirement from the Colony, while Major Moore carried out the duties of honorary secretary.
THE OLD PREMISES OF THE HONGKONG CLUB.
In the early days of the Club's existence the number of Peak residents was not great, and the Club's membership was consequently small. As a natural consequence the Club was not, for some time, upon a sound financial basis. Sir Thomas Jackson, however, was a firm believer, not only in the future prosperity of the Club, but also in the benefit its existence would prove to the community, and with his assistance the Club was enabled to tide over all financial difficulties.
In 1897 the tenancy of "The Homestead" expired, and the owner refused to renew it except upon such terms as rendered it impossible for the Club to entertain his proposal. Fortunately, at this time, the then Governor of Hongkong, Sir William Robinson, was a man who, like Sir Thomas Jackson, believed that a social club at the Peak was a necessary institution, and, in compliance with the request of the committee of the Club, he granted them at a nominal rent a three years' lease of the Government Pavilions at the Peak, which had remained unused for several years, and were in a ruinous condition. The Government Pavilions were then repaired, and the Club entered into occupation in the latter part of 1897. About this time Major Moore (to whom the members of the Club were greatly indebted for the tactful and energetic manner in which he performed the duties of honorary secretary) died in the Colony, and Capt. (now Lieut.-Colonel) Long, A.S.C., accepted the appointment of honorary secretary, and retained it, except during short intervals of leave, until his departure for South Africa in 1899. Both Major Moore and Colonel Long acquitted themselves so well in the office that it has become customary to select their successors from the military officers residing at the Peak. The only departure from this practice was when Mr. C. D. Wilkinson (the present chairman) occupied the position in the absence of Captain Lay, and later when Mr. O. D. Thomas and afterwards Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher undertook and admirably performed the duties. For a short time the position of honorary secretary was held by Colonel Carter, who still retains a warm interest in the Club and is always ready to devote both his time and experience to furthering the interests of the members. At the present time, the honorary secretary is Captain Thompson, R.A., who succeeded Captain Quinnell.
In 1902 notice was given by the Government to the committee of the Club, that the pavilions were again required for the purposes for which they had originally been erected, and it therefore became necessary to seek for other premises. No house in a central position or at all suitable for the purposes of the Club was obtainable, and it appeared probable that the Club must cease to exist. However, Sir Thomas Jackson and several old Peak residents expressed their readiness to subscribe part of the funds required for the purpose of acquiring, or building, permanent club premises. Others, including Sir Paul Chater, who took a keen interest in the welfare of the Colony, offered to subscribe the remainder of the money; and thereupon negotiations were entered into with Messrs. Butterfield & Swire and the Hongkong and Shanghai Bank for the purchase or lease of the site upon which stands the present building. Eventually that land was acquired by the Club upon advantageous terms, and steps were taken to erect the club building upon it. Prior to this being done it was considered advisable, indeed necessary, in the interests of those who had promised to provide the required funds, to form the Club into a corporate body. Accordingly memoranda and articles of association were prepared, and the Club was registered as a
PEAK CLUB.
