Fire Vol 5 no4

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ISSN 2324-2779 Volume 5 Issue 4 Sept 2014– Nov 2014 Established 2010

NEWSLETTER OF THE AUCKLAND AUCKLAND FIRE BRIGADE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Editorial

Patron Allan Bruce AFSM, FIFireE

We bid farewell to Region manager Brian Butt , who is leaving the Fire Service to pursue work in the Private sector. We would like to thank him for his support and wish him well in the future. The new Fire region manager is Kerry Gregory and the society would like to congratulate him on his appointment and we look forward to working with him and his staff.

The society is now a member of the Fire Museum Network based in the USA. This organization helps and supports fire museum’s and Fire related historical society’s in the USA, Europe and other parts of the World so we are looking forward to some networking with similar groups around the World through this membership. Our affiliation is growing, as you can see in the bottom right of this page, and that means that we can learn more from other groups as we move forward as a society.

This issue has a special report on the Policemen v Firemen event which took place in Auckland on the night of 10th August 1883.

Ric has written this from historical information appearing in the newspapers of the time. An interesting read, could it happen today?

In This Issue: Policemen v Firemen by Ric Carlyon

Colin

Management Superintendent: Roger Callister Dep. Superintendent: (NZFS Liaison) Vacant Secretary/Editor: Colin Prince Treasurer: Vacant Committee Peter (Sprats) Doughty Kevin Farley Grant Manning David Neil Forbes Neil John (High-rise) Walker Gary (GT) Walker Web Master Brendon Pascoe NZFS Ex Officio Member: Fire Region Manager Kerry Gregory Correspondence To: Auckland Fire Brigade Historical Society P.O Box 68-444 Newton, Auckland 1145, NZ membership@afbhs.co.nz Website: www.afbhs.co.nz Like us on Facebook Membership fees: Full: $15.00 Associate: $10.00 (overseas) Brigade/Corporate: $50.00 Membership year: 1 April—31 March

Line of Duty deaths James (Jim) Hughes 9 July 1994 Firefighter Driver James [Jim] C HUGHES [49] died when struck by a car while at a fatal motor vehicle accident on the northern motorway on July, 1994. He was beside Birkenhead's appliance.

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Membership Fire Museum Network– USA NZ Federation of Historical Societies MOTAT Society—Affiliate UFBA—Associate member NZ Ex Firefighters Assn—Affiliate Registered Charity number: CC45510

Gledhill risk quite well — remarkably, the building suffered only water damage. While fire—fighting was Bad Blood at Albert Street Blaze underway someone asked if they could salvage furniture from the burning house. I had no objection but as It must be one of the only times, if not the only time, it transpired only a few items could be safely rethat New Zealand police have arrested a fireman while moved. Furnishings, personal belongings and clothing he was fighting a major outbreak. The sequence of were all lost... and, I later found out, uninsured". events took place in Albert Street, Auckland, on the night of 10th August, 1883 and it’s a story of violence, What happened at the hydrant? envy, retribution and assertiveness that drew much "During fire—fighting I was aware of people in the public attention at the time. The narrative unfolds in crowd shouting out that a fireman was in some conversation with Superintendent John Hughes who sort of trouble. I was busy overseeing the Brigade's was in charge of the Auckland Fire Brigade at the efforts so I sent Foreman Clarke at the double to time. make enquiries. Onlookers told Clarke that a fireman who was attending the blaze had been arrested and How was the alarm given?

"The brigade was first aware of a fire in Albert Street was about to be taken into custody and removed to the police station. Clarke could hardly believe his ears so at about eight o' clock in the evening when Senior Foreman Hartley ran into the station shouting an alert. went to make his own enquiries. Clarke found it true: "Smell of smoke at the Wellesley Street intersection". Moore had been arrested during the progress of the He had been walking along the street and thought the fire and was held in custody at the scene. Clarke tried unmistakeable smell of timbers burning was strongest to get Moore away from police to enable him to return outside the Young Men's Christian Association to his post at the hydrant but it was impossible — YMCA) rooms.

Clarke himself was threatened with arrest for interferWe immediately mustered, we only had to travel half ing in police matters. Clarke and Naval Artillery Ofa block and in this brief time we could see it was eificers apparently asked the police to refer the matter to ther the YMCA or Geldhill's Aerated Water premises me as the man’s officer-in-charge before taking preon fire. When we drew up it was plain it was neither. cipitate action. Clarke came and told me, but the matA 6 - roomed house adjacent to Gledhill's was well ter had to wait until I was satisfied the fire in the alight and threatening neighbouring buildings". house had been extinguished".

Who attended?

What had occurred in Albert Street?

“In relatively short order we had two other groups fol”Clarke advised me that police had arrested Moore for low the Auckland Brigade to assist at the scene. Capa breach of the peace. We later found out it happened tain Hughes and his Salvage Corps, as usual, were like this. A civilian came out of the crowd and began quickly on the ground followed by the Naval Artillery, treading on the hose—line just after it left the hydrant. under Captain Le Roy, with their equipment. As it Moore, whom I had instructed to look after that water happened Naval Artillery personnel were holding a source, warned the man not to interfere with the hose company meeting at the time of the alarm, so some in any way. He told him to desist in strong language forty men arrived to assist with salvage, which they and to get out of the way or he would punch his head. normally did".

Sergeant Clarke, one of several policemen on hand, overheard the exchange and told Moore 'your lanDid you take command? guage is too strong, your attitude excessive and it’s "Yes, I immediately ordered two leads into the fire, likely to cause a breach of the peace'. Moore answered one to the rear of the house, the other to be deployed the Sergeant in strong language, 'I’ll just as soon in the 6 -foot-wide (2m) alleyway between the buildpunch your head in, too, given the same cause, and ings enabling a deluge along the side of Gedhill's soda under the same circumstances’ The sergeant then -water factory to prevent it taking fire. The Albert ordered Moore to be arrested".

Street hydrant gave good water and I saw off—duty "It was then I was aware of the big crowd, newspapers Branchman George Moore there, in civilian clothing. reported that there were 4,000 spectators that night.

This was not his fault - I knew that he was a member Word of what had happened spread among the crowd of the Naval Artillery and guessed that he had come faster than the fire that destroyed the house! The mob straight from its meeting. was calling out and chanting, everyone against the Uniform or not, he was a fireman on the ground and I police because of what had happened. I was worried told him the water source was vital to our operations... about wider breaches of the peace, I could see the he would have known that, anyway. I asked him to gathering was getting more and more agitated. Then a look after the hydrant, standpipe and hose before I more serious, immediate concern came along. returned to direct fire—fighting. We soon had control of the blaze, but the fire inside eventually consumed What could be of more concern? the entire contents. As it happened, we protected the Foreman Clarke approached me again. ‘You know

Policemen vs Firemen

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Moore is also a member of the Naval Artillery, well, they're saying they are so incensed about one of their own being arrested, and detained while he was fighting the fire, that they're drawing together with the intention of rescuing Moore from the police clutches’. I recalled there were some 40 of these men on the ground and any attempt to spring Moore would lead to more trouble... and that might involve the angry mob, too.

I told Foreman Clarke to go forward and dissuade them from that course of action, that it would just make matters worse. It happened that shortly afterwards Moore was taken away by Constables Hobson and Burns, under direction of Senior Sergeant White. Part of the crowd broke away, about a thousand I suppose, showing their support for Moore by following the police party, yelling and hooting opposition at the constabulary. I’m told it was quite a scene especially on reaching the station when Constable Kelly, the acting lock—up keeper, came to the gateway. He received a blow from a stone on the head, but his hat saved him from any severe injury. Inside, Moore was charged with using language calculated to cause a breach of the peace".

the Naval Artillery for much longer.

I asked Senior Sergeant White to release Moore without further action, but when this was refused I sent for the Town Clerk, who is a J.P., in order to obtain the release of Moore on bail. I found City Councillor William Crowther was willing to put up bail. He made the arrangements and, desirous of preventing any further bad blood between the police and the mob, hired a cab to take Moore back to the fire station".

There was a meeting of firemen? ”Once the men returned from the fire they held a meeting of the Brigade and I attended. The members cheered Mr Crowther for bailing out George Moore and the gathering passed a resolution that I be empowered to employ a lawyer to defend Moore, and to see the matter through.

The men said they would meet costs.

I subsequently received word that the Naval Artillery offered to pay half the legal costs, but the firefighters, wanting to look after their own, insisted that they would find the total amount to defend Moore.

What were newspapers saying?

After the meeting of firemen, the New Zealand Herald reporter, aware of the strange occurrence of a fireman being arrested while on duty at a fire, was waiting to ask me a few questions: my replies would, of course, be for publication. I stated that my powers under the Act make it my business to remove persons obstructing in the case of a fire. I thought the police had no right to arrest a fireman, and remove him from his post, without reference to me as his commanding officer. Further, I believed police do not keep the ground clear of idlers and onlookers as they should do, and said so.

Mr. Crowther was also interviewed by the reporter and he was quoted saying he greatly deplored that this misunderstanding should have arisen, as the Brigade and police should work together at fires for the public good.

The whole circumstances of the affair, he noted will no doubt be brought out at the Police Court. Mr Crowther appeared in print saying that 'Sergeant Clarke, who ordered the arrest, bears the reputation of being one of the most discreet and intelligent officers in the force, with 17 years' service in Auckland’.

Meanwhile we saw other newspapers report the strange case. "Bad Blood" between the firemen and police was Did you go to the police station that night?

"Yes. When my duties were all over at the fire I went to how United Press Association described the incident, the police station. I spoke with Branchman George while the Auckland Star said it was ”A Sensational SceMoore who said, 'I admit using the strong language to ne". The Auckland City Council, which received a reboth the civilian and the police sergeant. I’ve told police port on the episode, declined to comment because the that I had been instructed by you, the Superintendent, to matter was still before the court". protect the hose, and I was obeying orders. If the hose had been burst through people treading on it, in all prob- What happened in Court? ability Gledhill's factory would have caught fire and "When George Moore appeared in the Police Court a thousands of pounds of property been destroyed; I couple of days after the event, he was charged with knew therefore the importance of my duty, and I was ’using threatening words in a public street, to wit, Albert determined to fulfil it against any man'. I believed Street, whereby a breach of the peace might have been Moore, I knew him quite well. He had been a member of occasioned’. We had engaged prominent Auckland Lawthe Brigade for three years, and had been a member of yer, Samuel Hesketh, to represent Moore who pleaded Was the destroyed house really a brothel? ”Well, naturally we were piecing together facts about the house that had been lost. It was owned, we found out, by Mrs Sarah White, proprietress of the City Club Hotel, but she’s at her country cottage at Onehunga just now. The tenant, we’re told, is a woman known as 'Black Julia', who is abroad in Australia on holiday. If you mention her name to police they'll tell you she’s been known to them for quite some time, 'of indifferent reputation'. ’Black Julia', let the house fully furnished, to a younger woman, who, with two other young females occupied the place along with another woman employed as a servant. From what we were told, no expense had been spared with handsome furnishings and fittings throughout the place. On the night of the fire the servant returned from shopping to find smoke coming from the back of the house. On investigation she saw that window -curtains in the kitchen had caught fire from a candle, probably caused after a draught blew the curtains across the flame. The back door had accidentally been left ajar and fanned the fire which quickly spread".

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not guilty. The police appeared unready. Superintendent Thomson said, 'In this case, your Worship, owing to the absence of an important witness, and by arrangement with Mr Hesketh, I beg to apply for a remand for a few days". The police officer went on apologetically... "I may state that I regret exceedingly that a collision should have occurred between two bodies such as the police arid the fire brigade, and I regret that the necessity should have arisen for an arrest of this kind". Mr Hesketh agreed that the case should stand over for a few days...'possibly it may end in some other way. I have only now to ask for the release of the defendant on bail'. Moore was remanded on bail of £20, released and, again, we were relieved he did not remain in the Lock up".

when he reminded readers that 'this first class Petty Officer was the hero of one of the most daring acts of self—devotion and gallantry that had been performed In connection with the history of the Naval Brigade'. Le Roy recalled, 'personnel were out on the harbour in a small craft at night doing gun practice, when somehow the magazine exploded. A panic ensued, and one of the men leapt out of the boat into the sea. Moore, without a moment's hesitation, jumped overboard into the pitchblack seas, and at the peril of his life held the drowning man up for a quarter of an hour till both were rescued.

For this act of bravery he was presented with a silver medal'. I thought Captain Le Roy put it plainly in the press when he added '...a man with such a record deserves a better fate than to be run in for a few choleric words to the gaping, idle, hustling crowd at the fire who would neither work themselves nor permit Moore and his comrades to work. The scene of a fire', Le Roy concluded '... is scarcely the place where a fireman would quote snatches from Chesterfield's Letters on Politeness, and the only way in which the obstruction nuisance could be abated on Friday night was that adopted by Superintendent Hughes, namely, to douse the obstructive members in the crowd with water, by occasionally turning the branch upon them'.

What was meant by ‘It may end in some other way'?

"We were hopeful that the charge may be dropped. Hesketh was perhaps mentioning another way out for the police, playing upon the Superintendent of Police’s apology in Court. There was much to recommend this course. Apart from the absurdity of the actions that police took in Albert Street, George Moore, you see, was a well-known personality about town. In a small town like Auckland everyone know everyone! I was ready to attest to Moore's diligence as a fireman and to his character.

The Officer Commanding the Naval Artillery already indicated to me that he was ready to give Moore a glowing reference as a member of the military and as the man. Others would no doubt stand up for him too. Then there was public opinion: another reason police might want to drop the charge. Newspapers remained critical of the police".

Did you really order that form of crowd control?

"Well, there may have been some spraying of the crowd which I had better say was accidental or inadvertent!

These things happen during strenuous firefighting!

But as you know I have already complained about the lack of co-operation on the part of the police in keeping the ground clear, which would have prevented all the trouble. The Albert Street Fire occurred early evening (8 p.m.), and the result was a crowd, a sea of faces from Wellesley Street to Cook Street, and with such great numbers, estimated at 4,000, the few police present were unable to deal with the situation. Speaking with an experience of past fires, I can say the police usually cooperate with the brigade very well, keeping the ground clear.

And it was the same within a few days of the Albert Street fire - we had a major early morning outbreak in Karangahape Road involving Belcher’s building at the Queen Street corner. There was nothing we could do to save the premises, outbuildings, stables and two horses: all were lost to the flames. Police, again with Sergeant Clarke in charge, were quickly on the scene, and most cooperative despite the recent unpleasantness hanging over our heads".

What happened before the hearing?

"Detectives found no evidence of incendiarism in the burned out house. The main talking point was that police seemed to have made an error of judgement, then and there, by arresting Moore while engaged in fire— fighting and without reference to me, his Commanding Officer. Some were saying this was because he wasn’t in fire brigade uniform at the time, but I know that police well knew Moore was a member of the Brigade and at least one constable saw me talking to him as I gave him his orders at the hydrant. So that policeman would have known Moore had been tasked by me and was definitely on duty. The New Zealand Herald, I noted, credited Moore when it said... 'instead of going home to change his clothes and get his uniform, with commendable public spirit he went straight to the fire, content to destroy his own private clothing in the public service. Owing to Moore being in private clothes, the crowd paid little attention to his injunctions to stand off the hose, and his anxiety to keep it protected will be understood’. Without it, the factory was in jeopardy".

But police persisted with the charge against Moore? ”They did, and by the time of the hearing there were actually two charges — a new one, using threatening language in Albert Street, whereby a breach of the peace might have been occasioned and an additional one, a breach of the Assaults on Constables Act, 1873, by wilfully obstructing Sergeant A. Clarke, while in the execuAnd Moore's senior naval officer spoke up?

"Certainly. Captain Le Roy of the Naval Artillery gave tion of his duty. Superintendent Thomson prosecuted the newspapers the measure of the accused man, Moore, and Edwin Hesketh, as arranged, appeared for Moore.

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The gallery was packed. I was aware that the outcome of the case was eagerly awaited by fire-fighters and police... throughout New Zealand. It was a kind of test case. There was also intense public interest".

dock on such a charge as this. I point out again that it was the duty of the police to assist the Brigade'.

Hesketh had the last word. There was an interruption.

The Bench.· 'Both charges are hereby dismissed"'.

How did the hearing unfold?

"Hesketh was quite firm putting the case. Superintendent Thomson seemed to be on the back foot.

My recollection of proceedings went something like this: Hesketh: 'I take exception to the charges against George Moore. They don’t disclose that any offence took place as no breach of the peace was occasioned. I have several times raised the question, and have lent the authority for this at law. There is no case to answer'.

Thomson: 'I admit that there is no breach of the peace, but the accused by his blustering, violent conduct did his best to create one, and the officer did not arrest him until he was forced to do so, and while in command of the police force I will protect my men when they are in the right'. Hesketh: 'But I am saying that at fires the police are subservient to the officer of the Fire Brigade'.

Thomson: 'Absurd' Hesketh: 'Well, that’s what the Act says and I’m going to quote the authorities, a case 7 years ago, MacFarlane v. Brett’. Thomson: ‘I’m not aware of any such ruling.

If so, it was before I had anything to do with the district, and I'm asking Mr. Hesketh to produce the authorities. I'd consent to an adjournment for a few days to give him time to produce that authority'.

The Bench: ’That won’t be necessary: the mind of the bench is made up. First, on the objection raised by Mr. Hesketh, and second, it’s regretted that any misunderstanding should arise between the two bodies. They ought to shake hands and be friends'.

Thomson: 'From the police point of view, this course of action has my full concurrence’ But the Superintendent couldn't let it go at that, he turned his guns on me!.

Thomson: 'But do I think Superintendent Hughes ought to make some public withdrawal of the statement he had made that the police do not assist him. May I remind the Bench that Mr. Hughes said that since Sergeant-Major William Pardy left Auckland Police in October last year that he finds a great difference, alleging the police are not protecting the hose or keeping the crowd off; He has stated that police at fires stand around in groups of threes and fours, which means he has to place his own men to protect the hose. The dispute or ill feeling was not, I think, between the police and fire brigade, but another body of which Mr. Moore is a member".

[Was Thomson suggesting that police envy, jealousy or just plain bad blood with the Naval Artillery was the real reason Moore had been arrested ?]

Hesketh: 'Reiterating the circumstances of the case, I allude to the action of the police in taking a fireman away from his duty before the fire at which he was engaged was extinguished, and then placing him in the

And the sequel?

"I was aware fire-fighters at Auckland station met on 3rd September to receive an account from law firm Hesketh and Richmond for representing Branchman George Moore. The company wrote: 'Seeing that we acted as mediators between parties, rather than in our legal capacity, we have decided to make no charge in this matter'. The letter was received with unanimous expressions of applause and a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to the lawyers. Messrs. E. Hesketh, S. Hesketh and Richmond were elected honorary members of the Brigade".

And I saw the article in the Auckland Star that pondered loose talk that circulated for days around town that one of the senior police officers present in Albert Street had expressed regret the constabulary was not armed with its carbines: had they been so equipped he would have ordered the policemen to shoot down those in the mob obstructing fire-fighters.

I was not the only one surprised by this attitude.

The Stars columnist 'Zamiel', I noticed, was dismissive... 'however brave and warlike the sentiment might have been, I have reasons for believing that other members of the force did not agree with it, one of whom is reported to have said that he would be very sorry to obey his superior's commands unless he was served with blank cartridges. Probably the officer was the same one who mounted guard at the station armed with a baton when the arresting party was approaching, but who made an undignified retreat into the station when some larrikin threw a stone, connecting with Constable Kelly's helmet, bruising his pride'.

Reviewing this incident at the time, I thought it had so many ingredients that I should never live to see another like it in my time".

Footnote Later occurrences probably answer the question "was the house destroyed in Albert Street being used as a brothel at the time?"

The NZ Herald on 2nd March 1885 reported that a house in Rokeby Street*, known as Paddington Villa, was destroyed by fire. It was rented by Julia Wilson, also known as "Black Julia" and at the time of the blaze was occupied by Mrs Wilson, three young women 'and several visitors'. The house was owned by 'well— known Madame Valentine Becquet'.

The Auckland Star; without mincing words, said "Paddington Villa, the well-known house of ill fame, was converted into ashes and several men on the premises at the time lost no time making their escape".

Madame Valentine was charged with setting fire to the

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building but the charge was dismissed after a preliminary hearing.

The fire, however, focussed on notorious Rokeby Street, 'its string of brothels and disturbances night after night" and police combined with landlords to "clean up the neighbourhood".

There is little doubt that at the time of the fire the Albert Street house was being used as a brothel, operated by "Black Julia" who had close connections with the Madame Valentine and others engaged in providing such services at a number of large houses in Auckland in the mid—1880s.

A CLOSE SHAVE IN BLAZE Auckland's top firemen came within a whisker of losing their favourite hairdressing salon in a blaze yesterday.

The firemen turned out for an unscheduled appointment just after 1pm when the block housing the Karangahape Road salon caught alight. Assistant Fire Commander Barry Radovan and several other prominent Fire Service clients arrived to find flames raging from a stairway next door. Within minutes a disorientated woman had been carried from a second storey room which was full of smoke. (NZ Herald 20.8.87) (ADM 28/9/15/3) PEPPER POT ALARM FOR FIRE TEAM A little finger jammed in a pepper pot is nothing to be sneezed at. In fact, such was the plight of a two-year-old South Auckland girl last night that the Fire Service was called to the rescue .... in a delicate 15—minute operation two firemen cut the aluminium pot from the girl’s gashed and swollen finger. (NZ Herald 14.8.87) (ADM 28/9/22)

R. C. Carlyon, March 2014 *Rokeby Street is now Waverley Street which runs off Queen Street just North of Mayoral Drive, through to White Street.

Based on the columns of the NZ Herald, August, 1883 and March 1885.

A group portrait of the Auckland District United Fire Brigades Association delegates, back row: Captain J E Hunt (Paeroa), Capt W Edger (Archhill), Captain Keys (Mount Eden); Middle row: Captain Stroude (Devonport), Captain John Fenton (Grey Lynn), Superintendent F H Gladding (Auckland), Captain W Field (Auckland Salvage Corps), Foreman Prince (Newmarket); front row: Secretary Champion (Auckland), Captain Sutherland (Onehunga). (8th June 1909) 'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, AWNS-19000608-11-2'

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