1887

In November 1887 the Borough Council decided to erect a fire brigade shed and 15 pound was to be spent on a site near the school. It seems land was cheaper than bells!

Many years back when I was interviewing Carl and Toots Prime at their home on King Edward Parade, Carl told me a story about the day the timber yard caught on fire just over from their place on the foreshore. That was in 1887. He said it was a very hot day and the building was well alight when the brigade got there. They were fighting a loosing battle with the fire and the heat. The publican from the Masonic Hotel came over to the volunteers and offered them a drink to cool down. Carl told me “ they put all the gear down and went over to the pub for a drink and let the building burn down.” Toots was horrified that he had told me this and said “ Carl you shouldn’t tell stories like that” So who knows whether it was true or not. There is possibly a grain of truth there as with such primitive equipment it would have been very hard to have controlled a fire in a timber yard such as this.
Rod Cornelius, Flagstaff, Rods Rambles 20th Feb 2001

Papers Past, Bay of Plenty Times, XV, Issue 2107, 1 March 1887, Page 2
TELEGRAPHIC
[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]
AUCKLAND, last night.
At the Victorian R. C. Meeting on Saturday, the Essendan Stakes were won by Nelson, and the Newmarket Handicap by Lochiel. Both are New Zealand horses, great satisfaction is felt over the results.
A destructive fire occurred last night in Eden Terrace. Six Houses were burned.
A man named Smith was brought before the Police Court this morning charged with firing a house at Devonport on Sunday morning.
The foundation of the Government Insurance Buildings is to be laid tomorrow by His Worship the Mayor.

Papers Past, Southland Times , Issue 9455, 1 March 1887, Page 2
Fire in Auckland.
[By Telegraph] Auckland Feb. 28. An outbreak of fire occurred at midnight on Saturday in a house at Devonport occupied by John H. Stubbs. The fire was extinguished before serious damage was done and Sergeant Gillies made an inspection of the room where Stubbs said a kerosene lamp had exploded while he was in bed and had set fire to the premises. The officer descredited this explanation and as the result of his investigation took the man Stubbs into custody on a charge of attempted incendiarism. The building was insured for L3OO in the New Zealand office.

Papers Past, Star , Issue 6022, 2 September 1887, Page 4
FIRES.
[Per Press Association.]
AUCKLAND, Sept. 1
A seven-roomed house with a lean-to, situated in Cameron street, Devonport, and owned and occupied by Mr Hedley, was destroyed by fire this afternoon. It is thought to have been caused through the igniting of some clothing left to dry in front of the dining-room fire. The house was insured for £300 in the Union, and the furniture for £100 in the same office.

Papers Past, Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume IX, Issue 1728, 14 September 1887, Page 3
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS. (PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, September 14. An enquiry into the fire at Devonport, which destroyed three houses, was held yesterday, and resulted in a verdict of incendiarism by some person unknown.

Papers Past, Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 103, 28 October 1887, Page 4
Fires.
[By Telegraph] [United Press Association.] Auckland, 27th October.
A fire broke out at Devonport this afternoon, at the residence of Mrs. Mary Scott, at Rattray-street. The fire spread rapidly, and in a short time had extended to the adjoining houses of Messrs. Vosper and Harvey, where at length it was stayed. Mrs. Scott has a risk of £550 on the building and £3OO on the contents in the Now Zealand office. Harvey's house is insured by the owner, F. G. Quick, for £4OO in tho Victoria office. The furniture of Vosper and Harvey's houses was saved.