THE BIRTH OF THE CLUB 1910-1918:
THE FORMATION:
The Park Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club which later changed its name to The Pukekura
Park Tennis Club (officially on 21 September 1975 although it was generally known as The
Pukekura Park Tennis and Croquet Club from the early 1930’s) was born in 1910.                        

An initial letter was sent to The Chairman and Members of the Pukekura Park Board on 6
June 1910 stating that there was a movement afoot to form a Tennis Club in the Vogeltown
area. Suggesting an area fronting Carrington Rd (which had a name change to Victoria Rd
some years later), and adjoining the Vogeltown entrance to Pukekura Park. (the land
between the entrance and the caretaker’s cottage towards the sea).
The Board was asked if they would grant a lease of this ground. Room enough for 4 courts
and a Croquet lawn. Lease for an initial 7 years rent free for the first 3 years and the
following at 5 Pound a year. The club agreed to clear the land at its own expense,
This letter was signed by M Rudd, T C Schnackenberg, F C Tribe and J J Staple,
The first public meeting was held in the Town Hall on the evening of 30 June 1910 for the
purpose of forming a club. His worship the Mayor Mr G Tisch presided over 70 Ladies and
Gentlemen.
A motion was moved that a committee form itself into a Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club
called “The Park Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club”. An election of the first ever committee was
held with the following results:
President: Mr R Cock
Vice Presidents: Mr G Tisch and Mr M Rudd and Mr TC Schnackenberg
Secretary: Mr James Staples
Treasurer: Mr A T Moore
Auditor: Mr J W Taunt
Trustees: Mr G Tisch and Mr T C Schnackenberg and Mr M Rudd
General Committee: Mr F W Sandford, Mr H J Wells, Mr S L Mark, Mr F C Tribe and Mr T C
List.
Ladies Committee: Mrs R Cock, Mrs T C Schnackenberg, Mrs F C Tribe, Mrs Dowling, Mrs
E Smith, Miss T Okey and Miss Hammond

It was decided that for those persons who had provided their names to the secretary now be
known as members of the club. A total of 48 Lady members and 54 Men members were
noted.
Subscriptions were fixed at 35 Shillings for men (30 Shillings if paid within a month), 20
Shillings (15 Shillings if paid within a month) for Ladies.
An amendment was tabled for the purpose of fixing a lower rate for male members under 21
years of age was defeated.
A further amendment was tabled that in the case of members under 18 years of age the
subscription be set at 25 Shillings and for youths and girls these to be 12 Shillings and
sixpence was also lost.
It was also resolved that the club be affiliated to the Tennis Association.

THE BUILDING OF THE COURTS:
At the meeting of 30 June 1910 previously called tenders were opened for the laying of 4
Tennis Courts and a Croquet court, in grass.
Tenders were called from P Hansen, G H Lynch, A J Cole, C Edgecumbe & Co, Chas
Kyngdon and H Ward. The tender from A J Cole was accepted at 79 Pound 4 shillings. The
Surveying firm Sladden & Palmer to supervise the contact at a fee of 3 Pound and 3
Shillings.
The President and Secretary were authorized to sign the contract for the earthworks and Mr
Sandford was authorized to fell two trees.
But alas it was reported at a Special Meeting held on 4 July 1910 where it was unanimously
resolved to rescind the previous resolution passed in regard to the acceptance of “Coles
Tender” and it was decided to modify the plans and again invite tenderers to submit prices.
This was on the basis that it has been found that more area would have been required to
match the layout tendered for so some adjustments to the plans would be required.
On 5 July 1910 the Surveying firm of Sladden and Palmer were engaged to supply levels
and plans for four courts on the flat and one on a lower level along with a Croquet Lawn. The
courts to be 2 abreast and run North and South.
Also on 5 July 1910 it was passed that a bank account be opened at The Union Bank of
Australia.
At a committee meeting on 18 July 1910 it was passed that the tender from A J Cole be
accepted at the value of 98 Pound and 17 shillings.
The first accounts passed for payment on 25 July 1910 were from the Daily News 3 pound 5
shillings and sixpence, the Taranaki Herald 1 Pound 12 shillings and sixpence and Hooker
Printing Co of 8 Shillings and sixpence.
The first inkling that not all of the Park Board were happy with the lease arrangements
between the Tennis Club and themselves was reported in the Daily News on 2 August 1910.
The article read:

““THE TENNIS COURTS”
Before the minutes of the last meeting had been confirmed, Messrs Govett and Corkill
protested against the deletion of the clause providing for the erection of notice boards at the
entrances of the Park Tennis Club’s courts in the grounds. Mr Govett said that a course
adopted in all the parks in London, and in Sydney, should certainly be followed in New
Plymouth.
The chairman said the members present at the previous meeting including himself, had
considered the notice boards unnecessary, as the public knew the park was a public place,
but it was unnecessary to specially invite the public to claim the courts as their own.
Mr Corkill: For what term is the lease?
The Chairman: For ever, I hope.
The secretary explained that there was to be a seven year lease, renewable under
certain conditions”
An early slightly ominous sign that not everyone was on the same page between the Tennis
Club and the Park Board. An situation that was to raise it’s head later on in the clubs history
and where relationships between the Tennis Club and The Park Board were to hit an all time
low with much pain to the Tennis Club. Watch this space!
On 9 August 1910 there was held a General Meeting in the Town Hall for the setting of the
“Club Rules” to be passed and adopted and the secretary was instructed to submit them to
the Pukekura Park Board.
The club held its first Club Social at the Brougham Street Hall on 8 September 1910 with an
admission of 2 Shillings to help fund the purchase of grass seed. Information was sort from
W Rowe, Newton King, A Yates & Co and E Griffiths & Co. Finally purchased from W Rowe.
It was later reported that the profit from the Club Social was 2 Pound 18 shillings and 10
pence.
At a meeting held on 21 September 1910 it was decided to ask the Ladies to discuss and
recommend a site for the club house, for which Mr Sandford offered to supply a sketch plan.
On 14 October 1910 it was reported that the Park Tennis Club’s fine courts are clothed in
green. The grass-seed has germinated splendidly, and it is hard to recognize in this nice
level grassed area the blackberry infested, and rubbish covered patch of a couple of months
ago.
The formation of the club was gaining momentum with Mr and Mrs W Ambury and Mr
O’Callaghan elected members of the club.
At a meeting on 22 November 1910 Mr G Lynch was appointed the first caretaker.
It was decided to hold a “Garden Party on 22 December 1910 and the President Mr R Cock
and his wife offered their residence “Overdale” as the venue. This was a residence in
Vogeltown with a beautiful garden. The Whitely Hall Trustees had given the use of seats,
and the Westport Coal Company would cart them to and from the grounds free of charge. Mr
Hoffmann had kindly offered the use of a pianola and piano and the use of necessary
crockery had been arranged with the Railway Society club.
The “fete” to be in full swing from 2:30 pm through to 6 pm. There will be afternoon tea, ice
cream and sweet stalls, Christmas Trees, a gipsy tent etc.
It was also reported that those desirous of competing in the classes for the decorated go-
cart, bicycles, etc were asked to communicate with Miss Ainsworth (British and Continental

Piano Co), Miss Mynott (care of H Brown & Co) or with the club secretary. The price of
admission was fixed at 1 Shilling and to include the afternoon tea.
Unfortunately, the weather did not play its part and it was impacted somewhat because of it.
On 31 December 1910 it was reported that a handy little clubhouse had been erected,
comprising an afternoon tearoom, ladies and gentlemen’s rooms etc, and caretakers’ room,
besides a small apartment sacred to the providers of the cup that cheers(?). This has been
erected gratuitously by Mr F W Sandford and Mr F C Tribe, two members of the committee.