The “Astill Banner” (Pōneke FC)

• By Touchline 

Following out item in yesterday’s column on this website, about the banner in a glass case that was unearthed in real time behind the Pōneke FC trophy cabinet on Saturday afternoon, Touchline did some research and this follows below.

Touchline’s research has revealed that the Pōneke banner (or pennant) recently discovered in the Pōneke clubrooms, dates back 141 years, to July 1885.

As was recorded in the Capital’s “Evening Post” on the 31st day of that month …

“… a presentation was made last evening to the Pōneke Football Club at the club’s gymnasium in Manners Street.

The presentation took the shape of a most beautifully worked banner.

Mr. J. Astill, on behalf of the donor, Miss A. Astill, handed the flag over to tho club’s secretary, Mr. W. Beck, who suitably acknowledged the valuable gift.

The banner is 4 foot 8 inches long and 3 foot 4 inches wide.

One side bears the colours of the club in alternate bars 18 inches deep, with the monogram and year of establishment in the centre.

On the reverse side the figure of a footballer in the Pōneke uniform kicking a goal is most artistically worked.”

John Nathaniel Astill was an early member of the Pōneke Club and employee of the AMP Society, and he was Wellington’s first “All Black”.

The banner was made by his younger sister, Augusta Norris Astill, (who married David Barron Speed in 1891).

The various “letters” on the banner represent victories against Poneke’s traditional opponents, as well as the local championships won by the club.

For example, “EC” refers to the champion Canterbury club “East Christchurch”, “M” refers to the “Merivale” club, “N” refers to the “Nelson” Club, “P N” refers to the “Palmerston North” Club, “N M C” refers to the National Mutual Cup, won in the first year of its existence by Pōnekein 1921, “P” refers to Pōneke’s traditional rivals “Petone”, who Petone defeated in a one-off challenge in the final match of the 1920 season, and so on.

John Nathaniel Astill died in January 1923 and it appears that (out of respect) the banner (which last recorded the club’s victories of 1921) was retired.

The banner will be in a delicate state (now folded) and will require expert preservation.

It is truly a taonga of Pōneke, Wellington and New Zealand rugby and must be preserved for future generations.