1899 - Photos of the Members

The Fire Brigade under Captain Strude, has been doing good work throughout the year, and has fairly settled down in the new and more commodious quarters in Kerr Street.  Several important amendments to the station have been effected during the year, but the plant is still far from complete.  The urgent matter, however is the erection of a small out-station which might be built under the fire bell.   As it is a matter of vital importance to be at a Fire, especially in wooden areas, and as we cannot afford to keep horses for the brigade, the next thing is to have, like Parnell, here and there throughout the district reels of hose, which with a junction and a hydrant will enable even one fireman to do invaluable work, and perhaps extinguish a fire long before the main body of the Brigade can get near it.   The Southern side of Calliope road is another very congested part of Devonport, and a fire bell at least is badly needed a the top of Huia Street, or thereabouts in order that the  Brigade may be in a position to deal speedily with any fire that may break out in a dangerous locality.

Devonport Library Records

Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1058, 8 April 1899, Page 3

That the Fire Brigade's demonstration and conference hold in Auckland last year cost the Association £432 and an actual loss of £135.

These men would be among those who put out the fire on the tugboat. 

Papers Past, Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 3913, 18 October 1899, Page 2,

Fire on a tug Auckland, this day. Early this morning a fire was discovered on board the Devonport Ferry Company’s tug-boat Durham berthed at Queen Street wharf.

The fire brigade succeeded in suppressing the outbreak before serious damage was done.

The fifth annual concert 2 shillings per couple?