Mrs. D. L. Prophet now began her "reign" which indeed turned out to be a nine years' wonder; A drive was begun to reduce the large overdraft with the bank, and there were many novel schemes to raise money.

Membership was up to 612, with a Junior section of about 500. Entrance fees were raised to $150 and $225 for single and double membership, so that newcomers would share in paying for the capital expenditure which had previously been borne by those who had joined the Club in earlier stages.

View of loon from the new pool c. 1949

The event of the year, however, was the opening of the swimming-pool by Mrs. Prophet on April 30th.

Building the pool had been a splendid achievement. There had appeared to be no available space; there were certainly insufficient funds; and membership was far less than it is today.

The opening had been arranged for a Saturday afternoon and as so often happens, Hong Kong had had a glorious week of sunshine but on that day there was a tropical storm. The Committee were undecided whether or not to postpone the event, but as all arrangements had been made and members were naturally anxious to use the pool, it was decided to go ahead. Members and guests were huddled on the present Junior Club House verandah, and the rain continued in torrents.

1950 - Baby Pool with Clovelly Court  

Mrs. Prophet stood under the diving board complete with speech, and with somebody holding a huge umbrella over her. A microphone and loud speakers had been hired for the occasion, but at the last moment they refused to function. In spite of all this, Mrs. Prophet carried on regardless, although hardly anybody heard a word.

Afterwards, an exhibition of diving and swimming was given by a number of teen-agers. This was followed by tea and cakes for all the rather damp onlookers on the verandah. Thus, the weather was overcome, as all the previous difficulties had been.

Following the opening of the pool, a Filtration Plant was installed in 1950 and the project was complete. Partly as a result of this great attraction, many more people applied to join, and during this period membership increased to well over 700, so that for a time the Club could accept newcomers only to replace those who had resigned.

Honorary membership was offered to the Governor and Lady Grantham and to other leading Colony representatives. In fact, the Club had reached the end of what might be called "stage one" of reconstruction, and was once again flourishing and popular.

The drive to reduce the overdraft continued, and its success may be gauged by the reduction of over $31,000 made in 1951, and of over $37,000 in 1952. In the latter year, rising costs and the hope of ever greater development, increased subscriptions again, and there was also a levy.