1895 - Volunteer Brigade Formed

On the 4th of February 1895 the Mayor of Devonport asked Colonel Goring to form a volunteer corps.at a meeting at which 30 men attended Colonel Goring urged the forming of a volunteer corps, an after discussion the matter was adjourned for a time. On the motion of Mr Allison (the then Mayor) [1890-1895] it was the resolved to form a fire brigade and ten men handed in their names.A committee to assist was formed being Messrs R Duder, J Mays, D Shaw, R Wynyard and J.C Spinley.Taranaki Herald, Volume XKIV, Issue 10288, 22 April 1895, Page 2FIRE AT DEVONPORTCOTTAGE DESTROYED.AN alarm of fire was given at 5.15 a.m. this ( morning, the locality of the outbreak being in Bulkeley Terrace, near the Morley-street goods shed. The Fire Brigade promptly responded to the call, but as the cottage was small and some distance from the water main, their efforts were unavailing. The cottage, a two-roomed structure, was owned by Mr A. Kyndon, and occupied by Mr T. Kyle and his wife. Mr Kyle is away at Hawera, and the only occupant of the cottage was Mrs Kyle, who stated that she retired to bed about 8.30 o’clock on Sunday night, and was disturbed by the crackling of fire about 5 am., when she discovered the woodwork round the mantelpiece to be onfire. Mrs Kyle had barely time to escape. The furniture, which was valued at £10, was all destroyed. The house was valued at £12. There was no insurance.

Developments fairly sprang ahead and in May a reel was delivered to the fire station, and £77 worth of appliances purchased.

In June a 3 cwt bell to cost £30 was ordered and an equipment of helmets, axes etc.

In July one doz uniforms were ordered, to cost £43 2s.

By October rules for the brigade had been adopted. The brass badges for the brigade were designed by Mr Lyell (Lisel) pumping station engineer. It was proposed that the old Naval Shed on the Reserve at the head of the Wharf be used as a fire station as possession of it was given by the Harbour Board in September.

The first public appearance of the new brigade was rather unfortunate, the first fire in their term was in October at Mr Patterson's house. The hose reel was locked in the fire brigade shed, and the key could not be found: a bucket brigade had to be formed. It was also found that the firebells were defective - one being cracked.25th October"About three o'clock this morning a ten room dwelling house near North Head Devonport, caught fire and was burned to the ground, property being destroyed to the value of nearly 1000 pound. The home as in the occupation of the owner, Mr George Walker, employed in Messrs. Macky Logan's in Victoria Street, who together with his wife and family, had a very narrow escape. According to Mr Walker's statement, when he retired last night about midnight, there was no appearance of fire of any kind about the place, the fire in the grates having gone out. Before going to bed he was smoking for a while in the dining - room, but he cannot say whether he dropped the match he lit his pipe with on the floor or not. He was awakened by the smell of smoke about 2.45a.m. and he then found the room full of smoke, and the front portion of the house all in flames. His wife and children and himself had to escape through a window in their night clothes.

The firebell was rung but owing it is said, to the bell being cracked, and probably also to the strong wind blowing at the time, very few of the fire brigade heard the alarm, the consequences being that it was some time before the brigade put in an appearance. In the meantime a number of residents kept the flames from doing any damage to the adjoining buildings by means of buckets of water. When the brigade arrived however, all danger of any other buildings being destroyed was quickly removed, the fine water supply which the borough possesses being of utmost inestimable assistance. As for Mr Walkers building, there was no hope from the first as the fire had too big a hold when discovered."

Devonport Council Scrapbooks

The fire brigade would surely have taken exception to the paper intimating they arrived too late and a letter to the editor appeared on the 28th of October.

"Sir - In the Herald account of the fire at Mr Geo. Walker's home on Friday morning, you say that the Fire Brigade did not take up the alarm speedily. This, I think is a mistake, as I understand from those well able to judge that the alarm was taken up very quickly. When you consider that the engine-house is in the centre of Devonport and the fire broke out at the North Head, the time taken by the men from the time the alarm was given till they reached the fire was only fifteen minutes, great credit was due to all. Had there not been a brigade the houses each side would have gone too. I am, etc. R. A. Butler"

Devonport Council Scrapbooks

Good on Mr Butler the volunteers must have been pleased that someone in the community supported their efforts, especially when you think that they would also have had to carry their equipment on that mad dash to Cheltenham.

Mr Geo Strude, captain of the brigade was appointed fire inspector in October shortly after the first fire.

November 11th 1895.

Devonport Council Scrapbooks

Fire Brigade

A wet practice of the Devonport Fire Brigade was held on Tuesday evening in the presence of the Mayor (Mr E.W. Alison), under the superintendence of Captain Strude, and Foreman Keefs. A full muster of the brigade turned out with the reel.  The scene of operations was the Flagstaff Hotel.  Three sets of hose being put on, a splendid supply of water was obtained, it reaching far over the top of the building.  The way the men worked reflected great credit on so young a brigade.

Observe

r, Volume XV, Issue 880, 2 November 1895, Page 3That some members of the Devonport Fire Brigade are so zealous that they make a practice of sleeping in their uniform. It wants the Lieutenant from the fort on the job.FIRE AT DEVONPORT

What might have proved a serious fire at Devonport on Thursday night was prevented  by the prompt manner in which the local brigade responded to the alarm. the fire bell rang shortly after the men had concluded a wet practice, and upon the brigade hurrying to the scene, it was discovered that the back of the shop of Mr John Horner's saddler, Victoria street, was on fire, and that the adjoining premises, occupied respectively by Messrs. J.W Nairn (grocer) and James Richards (bootmaker) were in danger of being burnt. The hose was then run out, and as there was a good supply of water, the fire was quickly got under, but not before considerable damage was done to the back part of Mr. Horner's shop, and to Mr Nairn's stock a portion of the latter being totally destroyed.  Sergeant Wild and Constable Hooker were promptly on the scene, and rendered valuable assistance.  The total damage is estimated at about $200. Mr Nairn's stock and fitting swere insured in the Victoria office for $250, while Mr. Horner's stock was insured in the Northern office for $75.  The buildings are owned by Mr. Thos. Melville, who is at present in Scotland.

Devonport Borough Council scrap books ; v. 9, ; p. 4