1910 - Fire at Ventnor House

Papers Past, Hawera & Normanby Star, 7 September 1910, Page5

BIG FIRE AT DEVONPORT MANY HOUSES DESTROYED (PRESS ASSOCIATION) AUCKLAND, September 6

A serious fire occurred this afternoon at King Edward Parade, Devonport, which destroyed. Ventnor House a large boarding establishment containing 32 rooms, and four dwelling houses. Nothing is left but a mass of smouldering debris. Three other places were damaged. The fire broke out in Ventnor House as a result of some clothes being left near the kitchen stove to dry. The Devonport Fire Brigade turned out and made a good fight, but were unable to stay the progress of the fire, till a clean sweep had been made for over 100 yards. The flames were so strong that members of the brigade were wrapped in mattresses to enable them to stand the heat while playing with the hose on the burning building.

The following is a list of the places destroyed or damaged, with the insurances as far as can be ascertained: Ventnor House, owned by A. Watson and occupied by Mrs Lewis—totally destroyed. The building was insured for £2000 in the Alliance Co., and the furniture in the South British.

A six-roomed house owned b Mr A Watson and occupied by Miss Bood— totally destroyed. The building was insured for £270 in the Alliance Co., and the furniture for £130 in the Royal.

Three two-storeyed houses owned by the Auckland Grammar School and occupied respectively by - Messrs W. Wright, Williams and Spinley – totally destroyed. Each building was insured for £400 in the New Zealand Insurance Co. Williams had £150 insurance on his furniture in the Norwich Union, and Spinley £200 in the New Zealand Co.

A sixroomed house owned by the Grammar School Board and occupied by Mr Warbrick—partially destroyed. The insurance on the building was £200 in the New Zealand Co. The houses of Mrs Swinnerton and Mr G. Sandford were slightly damaged.

Papers Past, Evening Post, Volume LXXX Issue 83, 5 October 1910, Page 7

FIRES

BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION AUCKLAND, 26th October.

Fire at Devonport early this morning destroyed a house in Mosley-avenue owned by Mr. Parker and occupied by Charles Sainty. Mrs. Sainty and family escaped in night attire. The insurance on the house was £323 in the Liverpool, London. and Globe, and on the furniture £330 in the South British.

Papers Past, Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 83, 5 October 1910 Page 7

HOUSE DESTROYED AT MASTERTON [BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION.) MASTERTON, ‘This Day.

A six-roomed house and contents were destroyed by fire at 2 o’clock this morning. The house was insured for £300 in the Victoria Office, and the furniture for £175 in the State Fire Office.

AUCKLAND, 4th October.

A five-roomed house in Vauxhall road, Devonport owned by Mr. Maxwell, of Ponsonby, and occupied by Mr. H. Nicholl, was totally destroyed by fire to-night, nothing being saved. Mr. Nicholl was alone in the house at the time; his wife being away in Hastings. He was in bed when the fire broke out, and just had time to make his escape in night attire. The furniture was insured in the Victoria Office for £150, the insurance on the house is not available at present.

This note from the newspaper is unexceptional except as a note that the Fire Station was in Kerr street in 1910, and loutish behaviour is not confined to our own generation.

Papers Past, Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LX, Issue LX, 29 December 1910, Page 8

A FIGHT AT AUCKLAND TO A FINISH. BY TELEGRAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION AUCKLAND, Dec. 28.

A fracas occurred at Devonport on Christmas Eve and morning which may result in serious consequences. Shortly before midnight on Saturday two young men commenced to light on Victoria wharf to settle a long-standing grievance. After an exchange of blows they suspended hostilities and adjourned to the Mount Victoria Reserve, where it is said they, in company with fellow-roysterers, had several drinks from a store, purchased to carry the thirsty souls over the festive season. The fight, which had been stopped on the wharf, was resumed and kept up for some time. One of the contestants eventually lapsed into a state of unconsciousness and medical aid and the police were called to the scene, which was near the fire brigade station in Kerr street at 3.30 a.m. on Christmas Day. After receiving attention the injured man was convoyed to his home, where he has since been confined. It is probable that the police will take action in the matter.