Mangapakeha
Lawn Tennis Club

The Mangapekeha Lawn Tennis Club appears to have got off the ground in 1909. Harry Groves, owner of Marangai, made land available for the courts at the southern end of Marangai, on flats near the corner of Bute Road and Masterton-Castlepoint Road - opposite Awatea homestead.

Keen tennis player Guy Groves, of Purinui, was president and his brother Harry secretary. 

The club was affiliated to the Wairarapa Lawn Tennis Association separately from the Tinui Lawn Tennis Club. 

Newspaper reports from this period suggest the club was very active. It would appear to have been the social centre of the Mangapakeha during the 27 years it existed. Here's a sample from 1921:

The Mangapakeha Tennis Club brought the season to a successful close on Saturday last in glorious sunshine. During the afternoon the genial president, Mr Guy Groves, in tracing the history of the Club, commented on the extraordinary popularity of the game in the district, and said that a start was to be made at once with the erection of four courts on property near the residence of Mr A. J. Speedy, Awatea. He then presented the trophies won during the season. Much interest was taken in the ladies' singles competition, the winner turning up in Miss M. Carman, who defeated Mrs K. Groves in the final. Miss Carman is only a young player, being still in her teens, and is to be congratulated on winning from such an old and experienced tournament player as Mrs Groves. N. Groves triumphed in the men's singles, and the combined doubles was won by Mrs K. Groves and I. Cripps.

Much praise is also due to the hard-working secretary, Mr Harry  Groves, who, in conjunction with Mr Atack, also acted as handicapper. The trophies were donated by Messrs J. Douglas, Guy Groves and A. J. Speedy.

Lawn Tennis, Wairarapa Age, 10 May 1921

It appears the tennis club ceased to function around 1935 or 1936. In November 1937 the Wairarapa Lawn Tennis Association noted that the Mangapakeha Club had resigned from the Association. 

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