Story: Men’s clubs

Friendly societies' sports event

Friendly societies' sports event

This scene at a sports gathering organised by the friendly societies in Collingwood in 1897 was typical of the many community gatherings that the societies organised in towns and settlements throughout New Zealand around the turn of the 20th century. In the foreground is the Tākaka citizens band, while behind them men are engaging in a tug-of-war.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Tyree Studio Collection (PAColl-3064)
Reference: 10x8-0974-G
Photograph by Tyree Brothers

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'Men’s clubs - Friendly societies and other fraternal organisations', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/31287/friendly-societies-sports-event (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 22 May 2018