and the 16th Madras Native Infantry and the rest of the Garrison, and also the representatives of the official, commercial and sports. On 24 September 1902, the Sultan Ball was held by the Sultan in connections to the celebrations of his 29th birthday anniversary at the palace, attended by four hundred invited guests. The last noted reception at the palace was held by Sultana Maimunah on 28 April 1904 in the afternoon attended by Datos, Johor Government officials and a crowd of residents in honour of four Johor princes (Sultan's sons) and other four sons of the Malay high officials, before they were sent off from Tyersall on automobiles at 6.30 pm to the P & O Wharf at Keppel Harbour to board the steamer SS Bengal, which left on the morning of the following day bound for England, where they would attend school there. Serious fire at the palace On 10 September 1905, a fire broke out at Istana Tyersall at midnight, and there were no occupants at the palace. One of the servants at the premises spotted the fire at about 2 am on 11 September 1905 and telephoned the fire brigade. By 2.45 to 3.00 am, the alarm was sounded and three fire engines from the Singapore Fire Brigade was deployed to the site, about 500 Sherwood Foresters soldiers who were stationed nearby rushed to help put out the fire. The fire was extinguished by 6.00 am, which saw the palace's ballroom and billiard room "hopelessly wrecked", several furniture and art collections were badly burnt. The cause of the fire was reported to be a faulty wiring ignited the hall's floor which was coated with "inflammable paint". Damage cost was estimated for up to S$200,000. The palace was abandoned soon after. Failed proposal of Tyersall Country Club On 30 November 1910, the meeting was held at the Straits Chinese Recreation Club's pavilion clubhouse in Hong Lim Green, Singapore, announced that the Sultan was willing to lease the premises and the ground for 21 years at the rental of S$150 per month for the first 7 years, S$250 per month for the next 7 years, and S$350 per month for the last 7 years, all which have been approved by the committee and members of the club. On 7 December 1910, the Tyersall Country Club was formed at the meeting attended by the members of the various clubs