In 1975 the status of the `Mariners' Rest' was queried again. This time the person asking the questions was Assistant Commissioner Szeto Che-yan, who had just assumed command of the Marine Police. He had nothing against the bar himself - indeed, he was an enthusiastic supporter of it - but he could not help wondering about the legality of a cash bar that was open to the public (who admittedly had to know it was there) operating in police premises without any kind of licence or other legal basis. This was a bit of a poser: `The Rest' has known many a long-winded discussion on many a subject in its time, but the examination of legal niceties has never been a regular feature.
But the question could hardly be ignored, not least because it was the Boss who was asking it. Inevitably, investigation revealed that the simple fact of its having existed for 55 years (including three under Japanese management) was not enough: `The Rest' was an illegal establishment. Action was therefore put in hand, a mess constitution written and a committee formally elected. The `Marine Police Canteen' ceased to exist and the `Marine Police Officers' Mess (The Mariners' Rest)' took its place, the first President of the Mess Committee being a somewhat reluctant Chief Inspector Charlie Fisher. The colourful crowd of non-police regulars (providers of many of the exotic plants in the grounds over the years) became associate members, and `The Rest' entered a new phase of existence.
In many ways its new status was an improvement on the old, for the range of activities organised under its wing expanded considerably: the weekly curry lunches verged on the legendary. By the time the Mess had taken over the whole east tower of the MPHQ building its facilities included an ante-room, bar, formal dining room, breakfast room, kitchen and billiard room. All of these fairly hummed with activity throughout the 1970s and 80s; including formal mess dinners, Asian food nights of various kinds and even `fancy dress' parties. The heart of `The Rest' continued to be the bar however; here it was that the beer was always cold and where there was invariably a discussion to be had whatever your subject. Not necessarily a coherent discussion of course...
The Mess also took over the Round-house and the surviving patch of garden (complete with old gas lamps) in which it stands; its conversion to a function centre and mini-museum of Marine Police memorabilia being the brainchild of Chief Inspector Colin Reigate. After its official `reopening' in August 1981 the Round-house became the venue of cocktail parties, weddings, barbecues, curries, Christmas lunches, al fresco Mexican lunches and official presentation tea-parties.