1936 1937 Rugby 1st XV Cap
The Registrar of Timaru High School Old Boys' Association advises "this is a First XV rugby cap, of exactly the same style as is presented to First Fifteen rugby players today. I have researched the First XVs of 1936 and 1937. There were only two players who were common to both teams and would therefore have had both years on their caps. They were F R Blue and J F Tait. Frank Blue was also in the First XV in 1935, so his cap should have three years on it. I believe therefore that this cap most probably belonged to JF (Jim) Tait. Jim Tait was a prominent Wellington dentist, much involved in the RSA at national level, and in other community organisations. He died in Wellington on 14 July 2012, aged 93. I can well imagine his family donating memorabilia to your organisation. He was a brother of NZ's most distinguished naval officer, Admiral Sir Gordon Tait."
There was a time when representing your province or school meant special recognition by presentation of a cap like this, which was honoured and respected by all. High Schools usually presented such caps to members of their first rugby XV, cricket XI and hockey XI. These caps had a tassel and were only worn on special team occasions.