History of the Ladies Recreation Club - Hong Kong

The China Mail
1st February, 1884

(click to zoom - text below)

The Hong Kong Daily Press
2nd February, 1884

(click to zoom - text below)

The China Mail
1st February, 1884

"This afternoon the Ladies' Recreation Club of Hong Kong was formally opened by Lady Bowen in the presence of a number of ladies and gentlemen.

The idea of a Ladies' Recreation club was mooted some months ago, and met with such approval am the ladies that a number of them at once took steps to try and realize the idea. This they have very successfully accomplished, and the ladies of Hong Kong are now in the he possession of a resort where they can obtain physical recreation of the most health giving and bracing kind.

Four spacious lawn tennis courts, each one forming a terrace, have been constructed at no inconsiderable trouble and expense on a pretty site on the face of the hill, quite close to the road to the Peak, and very easy of access. here the ladies will be able to enjoy in quiet and without interruptions the pleasures of the Queen of ladies' outdoor games. The floors of two of the courts are of chunas and the other two are ordinary grass courts. The latter will be greatly improved after the rains. A nice flight of broad steps runs down the side of the courts, which are all enclosed by netting. perhaps, when the funds of the club permit, a pavillion will be built on the spot, but in the meantime there is no shelter of any kind erected.

This afternoon a small marquee was put up on the uppermost court, and from his refreshments were supplied Among the ladies present was Mrs. Marsh who has been a most prominent and energetic promoter of the scheme, and the Misses Bowen while among the gentlemen we noticed His Excellency Major General Sargent [Major General China, Hong Kong and Straits Settlements], Sir G. Phillips, and Admiral Goltz [commander of the German squadron in the East]. Lady Bowen having opened the club by delivering a few balls in one of the courts, a number of parties were arranged and though the weather was raw and cold, play was carried on vigourously during the afternoon. The Band of the Buffs ¹, under Bandmaster Quin enlivened the proceedings by performing a very pleasant selection of music."

¹ The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

The Hong Kong Daily Press
2nd February, 1884

"The ladies of Hong Kong deserves much credit for the energy independent spirt they have shown in combining to provide means for their own healthy recreation. The less worthy sex have long had a Recreation Club, a Cricket Ground, and various other means of amusement, and now the ladies have united their efforts for the formation of a Ladies' Recreation Club. The movement had not long been mooted ere it began to take some tangible form, and now the club is an accomplished fact.

So far as the Club has gone, it's name might bear the somewhat more limited scope of the lawn tennis club, since what has been achieved at present is confined to the construction of lawn tennis courts. Of course the selection of ground for the purpose here, where so little is to be had, was a matter of some difficulty, but the ladies have succeeded in finding a suitable place. The site is beside the Peak Road just above Belle Vue, and has been cut out into four terraces, each Terrace being levelled out as a tennis ground. The two lower courts are laid out in chunam*, and the other ones in turf, and these are reached from the road above by a winding chunam roadway, which is carried down in steps in the lower part. Each court is provided with a wire fencing, and to prevent the balls going off the court and taking a run down the ravine, high netting is fixed round them. The upper terrace is not as yet marked out as a court, and it appears to be contemplated to use this for refreshments, spectators, and a kind of lounging place.

The opening ceremony took place yesterday afternoon, when a considerable number of ladies were present, including Lady and the Misses Bowen, Mrs. Marsh and Miss Thornton, the Misses Sargent etc. There were also nearly as many gentlemen present as ladies. The Band of the Buffs was in attendance, and saluted Lady Bowen with the National Anthem on her arrival, besides discoursing a programme of music during the afternoon. Her Ladyshop played the first ball in one of the courts, and the grounds with then opened. During the afternoon the number of those attending increased considerably in spite of the weather being raw and unpleasant, and several games were played."

* Chunam is made with cement, hydrated lime, non-organic soil and water to form a durable and impermeable material;