The forerunner of the Karori Lawn Club was the "Craigielea"
Lawn Tennis Club which was formed as a private club on November 2, 1901.Mr
Henry Dryden, who lived on the corner of Chaytor Street and Karori Road, known
as Drydens Corner, kindly gave the use of his court on condition that it was
kept in good order. The following season whilst the lawn was being re-grassed,
he offered free use of his bowling green.
Rules were first drawn up in December 1901 and these form the basis of those
applying to this day with some notable exceptions such as: "The Club shall
consist of not more than twenty-five playing members, of which not more than
fifteen shall be ladies. The Annual Subscription shall be: Gentlemen 10 /-,
Ladies 5 /-, and No Member shall play on the courts on Sundays.
It was considered desirable for the Club to acquire two courts on its own
property and several schemes were put forward - the first from the Bowling Club
regarding joint action in acquiring land and the Tennis Club offered to pay as
rent 5% of the land value. The next plan was to lease a portion of the Glebe
land which had been offered by St Mary's church vestry.
A further offer of 1/2 acre of leasehold land with frontage on the Main Road
for a 10 year term was considered. This was moved for adoption but appears to
have been hotly opposed by three committee members. Mr C. Cathie and Mr Porter
"doubted the wisdom of raising debentures on leasehold land". The motion was
lost whereupon "The Lands Committee intimated their desire to resign" and a new
Lands Committee was appointed.
On the 7th August 1903 at a General Meeting held at Mrs Webb's refreshment
room, with Mr W. H. Tisdall in the chair, the new Lands Committee read this
report.
There was "a choice of two sections, one offered by Mrs Fisher situated on
the Main Road, 66 x 300 feet for 250 pounds, the other by Mr Lewer 216 x 100
feet to a proposed street off Campbell Street for 300 pounds".
Considerable discussion ensued as to whether it was desirable for the Club to
have more than three courts and in the opinion of the meeting it was considered
not desirable. Mrs Fisher's land was agreed upon and the Works Committee was
authorised to proceed with the construction of two courts.
September 1903 the club was named the Karori Lawn Tennis Club and a Rules
Committee report was approved. The Club was registered as a society also around
this time.
The Club has had its share of great tennis players and champions including:
