Charles Monro (rugby union)

Memorial in front of New Zealand Rugby Museum, Palmerston North

Charles John Monro (5 April 1851 – 9 April 1933), sometimes also referred to as Charles Munro in accordance with his clan name, is credited with introducing rugby union to New Zealand.

Biography

Monro was born on 5 April 1851 in Waimea West, near Nelson. He was the fourth son of politician Sir David Monro and his wife Dinah. His father would later become the second Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives.[1] His sister, Maria Georgiana Monro, would marry the Scottish geologist, naturalist, and surgeon James Hector.[1]

Monro attended Nelson College from 1863 to 1865.[2] He became familiar with the sport of rugby at Christ's College in East Finchley near London,[3] which he attended from 1867 to 1869, playing in its 2nd XV.[4]

He introduced the game under the 1868 rules of rugby and with the new Gilbert oval ball to the Nelson Football club in 1870.[5] The first game was played between Nelson College "The Gown" and Monro's club "The Town" at the Botanics ground at 2pm on 14 May 1870.[6][4]

Four months later Monro's commitment to establishing rugby in New Zealand was such that he organised, selected, and coached the Wellington team, played for Nelson, and also refereed the first game on the North Island at Petone on 12 September 1870.[4]

Monro's life was unsettled, and he lived in England and on the continent for some time. In 1885, he married Helena Beatrice Macdonald in New Zealand; his wife was known as Lena and was the daughter of Donald MacDonald from Nelson.[4][7] In 1889, Monro purchased land in Fitzherbert, on the opposite site of the Manawatu River from Palmerston North. He named their house Craiglockhart, and the Monros had five children.[4] Monro was from a long line of doctors, the Munro of Auchinbowie family, and his three sons all became medical professionals.[7]

He died in Palmerston North in 1933,[8] and was buried at Kelvin Grove Cemetery.[9] He was survived by his wife and their five children.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 Wright-St Clair, Rex. "Monro, David". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 7 April 2011.
  2. ↑ Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–2006, 6th edition
  3. ↑ "1870s". New Zealand Rugby Museum. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Watters, Steve. "Charles Monro". Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  5. ↑ "New Zealand's First Rugby Club". theprow.org.nz. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
  6. ↑ "New Zealand's First Game of Rugby". theprow.org.nz. Retrieved 14 April 2010.
  7. 1 2 3 "Obituary". The Evening Post CXV (85). 11 April 1933. p. 11. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  8. ↑ "Mr. Charles Monro". Auckland Star. 12 April 1933. p. 11. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  9. ↑ "Cemetery and cremation detail". Palmerston North City Council. Retrieved 23 November 2014.
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