Capt. Alfred Francis Daly Tunks

Capt. Alfred Francis Daly Tunks was born at Cliff Cottage in Tauranga in the North Island of New Zealand on 6 November 1870 (reg. 1870/18162). His parents were Capt. Thomas Tunks and Elizabeth Frances Tunks (nee Boylan) who had married in Auckland on 31 May 1864. Alfred served during World War I (Service No. WWI 25131), 14th Reinforcements, J Company, New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He would later become the 19th Mayor of Tauranga, serving from 11 May 1933 to 16 May 1935. Alfred died in Tauranga on 21 September 1936 at the age of 65. He was buried in Mission Cemetery | Ōtamataha Pā, [Plot 32.].

TUNKS — KIRK On December 26, by the Rev Wm Gillies, a the residence of the bride’s parents, Alfred Francis Daly, youngest son of the late Captain Thomas Tunks, 68th DLI to Fanny Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr Henry Kirk of Tauranga. [Bay of Plenty Times, Mon 30 Dec 1907, p2 + article]

OBITUARY. ALFRED FRANCIS DALY TUNKS. The death occurred very suddenly yesterday afternoon of Mr Alfred Francis Daly Tunks, at the age sixty-six years. The late Mr Tunks had not enjoyed the best of health lately and although his death came suddenly it was not entirely unexpected. Mr Tunks had apparently left his home in Fraser Street shortly after two o’clock yesterday afternoon to cycle into town, but evidently found the exertion too much. He was walking along Roberts Street wheeling his bicycle, when he collapsed in front of the residence of Mr Forsman, who immediately rang for medical assistance. Dr. Stuart arrived shortly afterwards but death had occurred. The body was then taken to the Hospital, and after a service at the Presbyterian Church this afternoon was taken to Auckland for cremation. The late Mr Tunks was born in Tauranga some sixty-six years ago, and was the son of Captain Thomas Tunks, a retired Imperial Army officer from India, and Mrs Tunks, whose home was in Elizabeth Street which was named after Mrs Tunks. As a boy Mr Tunks attended the district school at Topcroff, and later Queen’s College which was conducted here by the Rev. J. Murphy, M.A. For eight years Mr Tunks was sheep farming in Hawke's Bay, and later was with Mr Robert Seddou at Tauranga for four years as stock auctioneers, For about ten years Mr Tunks was Agent for the Public Trustee at Tauranga, and during that time was a member of the Tauranga Borough Council, at which time his brother-in-law, Mr John Bull, was Mayor. During part of the time Mr Tunks acted as Deputy Mayor. The late Mr Tunks took a leading part in the Volunteering and Territorial movements, and. was ultimately appointed Captain of the Tauranga Mounted Rifles. In 1915 he left New Zealand on active service, with the rank of Captain, and served in Belgium, France, and later in Egypt, his total service extending to three years. Prior to leaving England he had the honour of being presented to His late Majesty King George V. at Buckingham Palace. On returning to New Zealand Mr Tunks took a relieving position on the staff of the Public Trust Office, and was stationed at Masterton and Wanganui for about eighteen months. After a brief stay in Tauranga Mr Tunks made a tour of Australia in the course of Ins business, and later ‘toured India, Italy, Gibraltar. Spain, France, Belgium, the British Isles, South Africa, Egypt and Arabia. In 1926 the deceased gentleman returned to Tauranga and made his home in Fraser Street. After his return Mr Tunks was elected a Borough Councillor, being returned unopposed to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the Rev. E. C. Hetherington. He also contested the Mayoralty on four consecutive occasions, being finally elected to the position on" May 3. 1933, and had the distinction then of being the first Tauranga-born resident to be elected as Mayor, a position which he retained until last year. At the time of his death he was the Chair-: man of the Hospital Board, a position he had held for four years, having been a member of the Board since 1929. Mr Tunks had also been the District Coroner for some years, and was also an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Mr C. J. Tunks, a brother of deceased, arrived from Auckland today. Source: Bay of Plenty Times (22 September 1936, p. 2).

Sources

1. 19th Mayor of Tauranga 11 May 1933 to 16 May 1935 (Tauranga Borough Council). Ref: McCauley, Debbie.
2. Bay of Plenty Times (22 September 1936, p. 2): https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19360922.2.17
3. Birth Registration Number: (reg. 1870/18162).
4. Cenotaph Record: https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/...
5. World War I Service No: 25131