14 January 1895 in the evening, the Sultan's Ball was held at the palace's ballroom, attended by Governor Sir Charles Mitchell and his wife Lady Eliza Weldon, several military and government officials. The Sultan's son Tunku Mahkota Ibrahim Al-Marhum, his eventual successor, was there as well. There were also Europeans, Chinese and Arabs guests, and including several Johor nobles. On 9 March 1895, the Sultan held a luncheon gathering party in honour of his old friend Thomas Shelford, who would be leaving Singapore for England, the gathering were consisted of principal residents of Singapore and their wives, and some of the Johor officials and residents. On 15 April 1895, the Sultan held his last reception at the palace in the late afternoon attended by hundreds of guests, among them were the former Sultan of Perak Abdullah Muhammad Shah II, and representatives of the consular, military and civil societies. before embarking on the mail steamer Pekin bound for Europe on 23 April 1895. Sultan Abu Bakar died of pneumonia in South Kensington, London, on 4 June 1895, it was at the palace that his son Tunku Ibrahim Al-Marhum received the telegram from Dato Sri Amar DiRaja Abdul Rahman Andak on the same day that informed of his father's death. Tyersall and its premises was handled over to his son upon his reign as the Sultan Ibrahim of Johor on 2 November 1895. The new Sultan however, would preferred to stay at the Woodneuk House, previously renamed as the Istana Woodneuk, of the nearby hill upon his arrival in Singapore. On 3 August 1896, Ungku Maimunah, the 1st Sultana to Sultan Ibrahim of Johor, and the Sultan's family held their reception to the King of Siam Rama V and his Queen Savang Vadhana at the palace. On 9 December 1896, Spanish Consul to the Straits Settlements Guillermo Leyra and his officers paid a private visit to the Sultan of Johor in his palace. On 11 January 1897, the Sultan held a luncheon party in honour of the former and 1st Postmaster-General of the Straits Settlements Henry Trotter, before his retirement to England. His son Noel Trotter had since taken over his duties. After the Farewell Gymkhara with 4th King's Own Regiment on 17 February 1900 at Tyersall, the Sultan held the farewell luncheon party at the palace on 21 February, with over 60 guests which included officers of the King's Own Regiment