The Beginning
During the winter months of 1890, a small group had conducted enquiries amongst gentlemen in Timaru and the surrounding districts seeking support for the formation of a Club in Timaru, serving both Timaru and the district of South Canterbury.
Those responsible for these initial investigations were:
- J.T. Warren
- T.Y.Wardrop
- M.J. Knubley
- W.S. Lindsay
- E.T. Rhodes
- S.F. Smithson
- G.F Clulee
They circulated a proposal to a list of prospective members and by August were satisfied that a venture would be supported, some 71 gentlemen having signified interest. On Monday, 25 August, 1890 a meeting was held at the Club Hotel in Timaru (corner of George and Stafford Streets) attended by 19 persons. The resolution carried with unanimous enthusiasm.
J.T Warren was appointed Chairman, and G.F Clulee Secretary until the meeting in October.
A proposed set of rules had been prepared and read to the meeting, and following some discussion and minor amendments was adopted. The meeting was also advised of negotiations which had taken place to rent from the Club Hotel some first floor rooms for the Club use.
These negotiations subsequently produced and agreement which was signed on the Club's behalf on 3rd November, 1890.
The first Annual General Meeting was duly held on 22 October, 1890 attended by 15 members, at which a Committee of eight was elected.
J.T Warren was elected Chairman and Miles Knubley, Secretary.
Own Premises
The first suggestion of acquiring property of its own appears in the minutes of a Committee Meeting dated 3 December, 1901.
A sub-committee was appointed to investigate a report back to a Committee Meeting on February. 1902 and was given authority to take an option, if suitable property was found. A Special General Meeting, 26 February, 1902 decided to purchase the section at NO. 1 Le Cren's Terrace (now The Terrace) for 500 pounds.
There was a cottage on the section tenanted at a rental of 14/- per week. The next couple of years were not exactly placid in the Club's history.
A Special Meeting of the Members on 9 May, 1903 resolved that the Members sanction of the building of a new clubhouse on the site belonging to the Club at No. 1 LeCren's Terrace.
This only after a lengthy discussion, at times quite heated and the defeat of an amendment that the offer of Guinness and LeCren to renew the lease of the present premises be accepted.
In 1928 the section to the north of the Clubhouse was purchased to provide for parking of motor cars.
The Borough Council had expressed some concern about cars being parked in the narrow street of LeCren's Terrace. There were two cottages on the property which remained tenanted until they were removed in 1935 and the parking area developed.
The Annual Meeting of 1932 decided to investigate the proposal to build a Squash Court. A sub-committee was appointed and given authority to proceed.
Significant Dates
Inaugural Meeting:- 25 August 1890
Provisional Charter:- 12 August 1891
Permanent Charter:- 11 August 1892
Move to New Building:- March 1905
Registered as an Incorporated Society:- September 1917
Rule Change to Provide for Women as Associate Members:- 27 October 1988