(May, 1866) had rebuilt at a cost of $30,000, the transformation of the old Victoria Library and Reading Rooms into a Club (August 15, 1871) thenceforth known as Victoria Club, and the short-lived attempt to establish a public refuge for the destitute and for discharged prisoners (May, 1871), were also indications of a healthy public spirit. On the other hand, the collapse of the Volunteer Corps, which had to be disbanded (June 1, 1866) owing to the non-attendance of its members, has also to be recorded, but had perhaps a deeper source in the commercial crisis which just then paralysed local activities.
The establishment of a Swimming Bath (June, 1866), of ocean yacht races (December, 1868) and of bicycle races (February 15, 1870), provided new incentives and facilities for public recreation. Complaints were made at the Wongnaichung races of March, 1869, that the Americans present forsook the Grand Stand for the superior attractions of a private shed belonging to the leading American firms (Russell & Co. and A. Heard & Co.). But harmony was soon restored. On 28th February, 1870, an address signed by the entire community was presented to Admiral Rowan in command of the U. S. Asiatic Squadron, to express the sympathy universally felt in the Colony with the sufferers from the shipwreck of the U. S. Corvette Oneida in the gulf of Yeddo, caused by collision with the P. & O. S. S. Bombay on 24th January, 1870. The departure of the U. S. flagship Delaware (June 19, 1870), the officers of which had been general favourites in local society, was much regretted. The anniversary of Washington's birthday was celebrated (March, 1871) by the whole foreign community as the guests of the officers of the U. S. S. Colorado who enlivened their entertainment by an improvised regatta.
The German community was, in 1870 and 1871, much exercised by the successive events of the Franco-German war. Large sums were collected in Hongkong and forwarded for the relief of the sick and wounded of both belligerents. At one single concert (December, 1870) a sum of $2,000 was raised. The China Mail was for some time ostracized by the German
