From Volunteers to Professionals
New Zealand fire fighting forces have had a long and proud tradition of being conducted by volunteers and in more recent times a respected profession. The development of the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade from a volunteer-based organisation into a professional one is represented by the Lower Hutt Central Fire Station which played an important role in the expansion and professionalism of municipal fire fighting services in Lower Hutt.
The creation of the Hutt Valley is connected to the story of the two taniwha Ngake and Whaitaitai who lived in the harbour, which at that time was a lake. Ngake wanted to escape the lake and planned to smash his way through to Raukawa Moana, Cook Strait. He positioned himself on the edge of the lake and using his tail as a spring he thrust himself forward and broke through to the sea creating Te Whanganui O Tara, Wellington Harbour. The force of the uncoiling tail of Ngake carved out Heretaunga (also known as Te Awa Kairangi), the Hutt Valley.
Prior to European settlement the valley was covered with thick forest and abundant birdlife, other areas that were close to the river mouth and other tributaries were made up of swampland, the harbour provided plentiful seafood. Maori occupied the region known as Te Upoko o te Ika for several centuries with many settlements along the foreshore.
The area was one of contest for the occupying groups, with waves of migration from the north and challenges for the region raging from the 1820s up to the time that the New Zealand Company ship Tory arrived in Te Whanganui O Tara and anchored off Pit-one, now known as Petone, in 1839. At that time a number of iwi, Ngati Tama, Taranaki, Ngati Ruanui, Te Atiawa, and Ngati Toa, were occupying the area of the Porirua Basin to Ohariu and Heretaunga.
Maori in the area welcomed the arrival of the New Zealand Company and the chief of Pito-one Pa Te Puni and his nephew Te Wharepouri, negotiated with William Wakefield, the New Zealand Company's agent, to allow settlement. A deed of purchase was agreed, with the key document being the Port Nicholson Deed No.1. The agreement provided for the setting aside of one tenth of what was called the Port Nicholson Block, calculated at 200,000 acres, in perpetuity for the descendents of the iwi. Subsequent failure to protect these reserves and the beneficial interests of descendents led to several Treaty of Waitangi claims and the formation of the Wellington Tenths Trust to represent the descendents and administer the Maori Reserve land.
The first immigrant ship, the Aurora, arrived on 22 January 1840 and fledging settlements on the foreshore and further up the river valley called Britannia were started. However, within months of settlement the Hutt River flooded, and the settlers decided to move the new colony to Pipitea (Thorndon), with some settlers remaining at the north end of the harbour.
The river was named after the founding member, director and chairman of the New Zealand Company, Sir William Hutt (1791-1882) and led to the area and its cities being named after Hutt.
In 1855 a major earthquake raised part of the lower valley allowing swampland to be drained and reclaimed for farming and further settlement. The arrival of the railway north from Wellington in 1874 and the subsequent relocation of the railway's engineering works to Petone led to a rapid expansion of the area's population and economy. Other industries, including the Gear Meat Preserving and Freezing Company acquired land in Petone. However, an increase in population, housing and industry brought with it the threat of fire.
In response to a fire that destroyed a few houses and a small business in Aglionby Street, Lower Hutt, a decision was made by community leaders to form a dedicated fire fighting force. The Lower Hutt Volunteer Fire Brigade was formed 13 October 1905 following a public meeting that was chaired by the Mayor, T.W. McDonald. Offices were elected with H. Baldwin as Chairman and Tom W. Slinn as Secretary. A Fire Brigade meeting was called on the 20 October 1905; the meeting confirmed the minutes, the office appointments and resolved to elect its own Captain and Officers. Tom Slinn was subsequently elected Captain and went on to serve in the Brigade until his retirement in 1940.
The objective of the Brigade was the 'extinction of fires and the protection of life and property'. The motto 'Willing to Serve' put volunteering and service at the forefront but was changed later to 'Prompt to Assist' to recognise the central need of the Brigade to provide a quick response to call outs.
The Lower Hutt Borough Council set up a Brigade Committee to finance and equip the brigade. It purchased 1000 feet of hose, provided helmets for the members and erected a shed with a fire bell. At the first Lower Hutt Fire Brigade's Annual General Meeting, the Brigade thanked the Borough Council for its contributions. The Borough Council erected an appliance station made of wood and iron in High Street, Lower Hutt and at some point a meeting room was added and a bell tower erected. The brigade used a horse-drawn manual fire engine and two horses were hired out at 5 shillings per horse per call.
In 1923 discussions were held by the Brigade Committee of the Borough Council about the construction of a new fire station and additions to the equipment, including the purchase of a new fire engine. A decision was made to construct a new two storey brick fire station on Laings Road (now the site of the Hutt City Council administration building). In June 1925 the fire station and new fire engine were officially handed over to the Brigade by the Mayor, W.T. Stand. In 1931 the Brigade celebrated its 25th Silver Jubilee, and Gold Stars rewarding 25 years of service were awarded to Superintendent Slinn and Foreman B. Fleet.
It was humble beginnings but the Brigade and its services would grow to reflect the population increase and the expansion of Lower Hutt through the 1930s and 40s. The large scale construction of state housing developments for the Hutt Valley including the development of the land blocks of Taita, Epuni and Naenae, meant an increase in calls and a wider area to cover. In 1939 the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade appointed its first permanent officer, H. G. Hume as Deputy Superintendent, to reflect this change.
By 1940 the Lower Hutt Brigade had three permanent and 22 volunteer firemen and became a municipal fire brigade when Lower Hutt achieved City Status with the population surpassing 20,000 in 1941. In 1942 the control of the Municipal Fire Service was transferred to a newly established body, the Lower Hutt Fire Board. The Board soon appreciated the urgent need for a better station and accommodation facilities to keep pace with the huge growth in the district and the need for a more professional fire fighting service. Between 1940 and 1952 the population of Lower Hutt more than doubled to over 45,300. The government housing schemes had contributed about 5,400 houses and with the increase in population came the industry to employ them.
The Laings Road Fire Station was sold to the Wellington Free Ambulance Board in 1943 but was leased until the Board could come up with an alternative. The building was later declared unsafe and demolished to make way for the Lower Hutt City Civic Centre development. The Board began to investigate a site for a new central station and the provision of residential quarters. The Waterloo Road site fulfilled the need of a central location, as the road ran on a west-east axis that gave access to the main routes in and out of Lower Hutt, and was a large area to accommodate the new station and residential quarters.
There was resistance from the local residents who were concerned about the proposal to site a large fire station in a residential street. Opposition in the form of a petition signed by 26 residents was presented by the Waterloo Road Residents' Committee to the Lower Hutt Fire Board to object to the taking of the land in Waterloo Road. The Fire Board was resolute in its decision to go ahead with the build on the site, as it was the only site identified that fitted their requirements. However, the concerns of the residents were to be mollified by the design brief.
The land consisted of a two acre site that had access from Waterloo Road and Marina Grove, and was acquired under the Public Works Act 1928 for the purposes of a Fire Brigade Station in 1947. The brief by the Fire Board was for a Fire Station, workshop, and fire tower including a smoke room, and residential quarters with up to fifteen units for married firemen. Single men were to be accommodated inside the fire station. The Board was conscious of the residential location and the design needed to not detract from the residential aspect of the neighbourhood.
In August 1945 the Lower Hutt Fire Board confirmed the appointment of the firm of Mitchell and Mitchell and Partners as its architects, in association with Weymouth Keith Cook, known as Keith Cook, of King, Cook and Dawson, in August 1945. Mitchell and Mitchell and Partners would have the overall responsibility for the work on the project but there would be collaboration with Cook over the design and planning. Both firms were experienced in the design of commercial and civic buildings as well as residential designs.
An initial site plan was drawn up by the architects in 1949 that laid out the positions of the proposed fire station and residential quarters. The design featured a lot of planting that gave it a more residential feel and the driveway from Marina Grove, which gave access to the residential units, had curves to soften the effects of the hard edges of the apartment blocks.
At this time changes were happening in the fire service with the formation of the Fire Services Council under Fire Services Act 1949 and the appointment of Mr T.A. Varley as Dominion Chief Fire Officer. Varley had an expert knowledge of overseas practices and up to date developments and was able to assist the board with finalising the plans. It is unknown if the plans were changed substantially in accordance with Varley's advice. The final designs for the elevations of the main fire station building were completed by November 1952.
Post-War Modernism and the Modern
The Lower Hutt Central Fire Station is a fine example of Post-War Modernism which was a dominant architectural style in Lower Hutt in the 1950s. The ideals of the design resonated with the feeling of the city, one of embracing progress and modernism; this was emulated in the use of new materials like reinforced concrete, steel and glass. It was an architectural style that had its origins at the start of the twentieth century with various architectural movements that embraced new materials, processes and forms. For New Zealand there was a measured progression from the Art Deco and Moderne into the International Style that was Modernism.
For Lower Hutt these feelings of progress and aspiration were well articulated in the 'Modernist' Lower Hutt War Memorial Library (completed in 1956 and designed by Ron Muston) and the large mural within, painted by Victor Leonard William Mitchell, known always as Leonard, and entitled 'Human Endeavour'. It depicts fifty Lower Hutt people from different backgrounds and time periods who are working towards a better future. The library was part of an important civic precinct redevelopment that was under the leadership and guidance of the Lower Hutt Mayor, J.W. Andrews and the newly appointed city planner, R.D.H. Hill. The civic centre and various other municipal buildings, including the Lower Hutt Central Fire Station and the Transport Centre (demolished and now the site of the Queensgate Mall) defined Lower Hutt as a flagship of Post-War Modernism.
Keith Cook was heavily involved in the design of two buildings that form part of the Lower Hutt Civic Centre. The Town Hall and Administration Building (1957) and the Horticultural Hall (1959) which reflect the Post-War Modernist aesthetic and show a consistency in approach and design that had been articulated in the Lower Hutt Central Fire Station.
Construction
The new fire station was not just a Modern building in terms of its materials and aesthetics. It was also to incorporate the most up-to-date technology and design for modern fire fighting needs. Features included a fire tower and smoke house, used to condition firemen to respirator work, which was heralded as being in the latest design and was to be the first in New Zealand. The station would feature four appliance doors, the latest equipment and a remote control watchroom.
The Fire Board gave priority approval for the construction of the four blocks that made up the residential quarters in 1951 and the Lower Hutt Fire Board appointed J.M. Construction Company Limited as the builder. Keith Cook was the project architect for this development.
Construction began and the Fire Board vented its frustration at Mitchell and Mitchell and Partners over the delays in calling tenders for the construction of the Fire Station. The architects responded that the delays were due to the lack of response from the various agencies, including the government architect's office, fire commission and council building controller, who needed to give their consent to the plans and specifications. All consents were received in late 1953, tenders were called and the contract was let to the Cement Products Construction Company for the cost of £93,000. Construction was overseen by the project architect F.E. Kerswill, for Mitchell and Mitchell and Partners and was completed in 1955.
Opening
The Hutt News reported on the opening of the new fire station at a final cost of £205,000. It stated that 'the station embodies the most modern developments of fire station planning and equipment.' The fire station and residential blocks were officially opened on 16 November 1955 by the Honourable S.W. Smith, the Minister of Internal Affairs, with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. The Chairman of the Lower Hutt Fire Board, H.V. Horlor officiated over the proceedings and the speakers included the Right Honourable Walter Nash, Member of Parliament for the Hutt Electorate; the Deputy Chairman of the Fire Service Council; the Chief Service Officer; and the Mayor of Lower Hutt. 250 people attended the opening and represented a wide selection of interests including government, insurance, local bodies, trade, surrounding brigades, ex-members and the general public. It was a very much a local affair with the music being provided by the Hutt Valley High School Band.
The Minister commented on the need for fire fighting facilities and equipment to keep up with the development of the city, and congratulated the architects on the 'styling of the buildings, which was keeping with the surrounding residential area'. The Minister was presented with a portable fire extinguisher by representatives of the two architectural firms that designed the station and residential blocks. The Hutt News report also commented on the landscaping and gardening development which was in cooperation with the Lower Hutt City Council and carried out by Mr A. White, Director of Parks and Reserves, and his staff.
The Evening Post featured an article that described the new Lower Hutt Fire Station as the 'most modern in the Southern Hemisphere' as expressed by the Dominion Chief Fire Officer, T.A. Varley, and the facilities were of the 'most up-to-date character' and the 'result of fire-fighting experience from all parts of the world'. Features of the modern station included a manned control room that allowed the reception of calls and the ability to start and stop the fire engines remotely and open the appliance doors electronically. 'The receiving and handling of calls and their timing were automatically recorded. The machinery for this was both simple and foolproof and was novel for New Zealand'. Technology for alerting fireman when a call was made, whether they were in their quarters, their gardens or on drill was also a feature and they were able to descend the latest type of poles that were child proof. The design and positioning of the poles was said to be in accordance with contemporary practice in fire station planning and equipment in the United Kingdom.
The new home for the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade coincided with the 50th Jubilee of the Brigade, which was celebrated on the 10 December 1955. At that time the Lower Hutt Brigade consisted of sixteen permanent and eleven auxiliary fire fighters and officers.
Life at the Station
Life for fireman in the brigade reportedly became easier after the new fire station was built. No doubt it became easier for their families also with accommodation now provided on site and the new station becoming a focal point for an active and supportive community. Lee Bailey recounted her memories of living and raising a family at the Waterloo Road Fire Station in Colin Gray's history Bells to Sirens: 100 years of the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade:
'In 1961 to live at the Lower Hutt Fire Station was to experience communal living at its best...such close living had its ups and downs. There were never any secrets between houses....doors were never locked and parents often left the children asleep in bed to go out with intercoms rigged between the children's bedrooms and the flat next door... the Guy Fawkes Bonfires in the Station yard, the Xmas parties, birthday parties and any party for both children and adults were events not be missed, Station life had much to be grateful for'.
The 1950s would also see a period of consolidation and amalgamation for the brigades in the region. In 1956, upon Stokes Valley becoming part of Lower Hutt City, the Stokes Valley brigade came under the control of the Lower Hutt Fire Chief. Then in 1958 the Belmont Fire Brigade requested the Lower Hutt Brigade cover calls within their district. By 1959 meetings were being held with the Days Bay and Point Howard Brigades with consideration given to forming a new fire Board with the hope that 'a larger fire board could provide better training facilities and control'. The Hutt Valley and Bays Fire Board was formed in April 1959, and took control of four stations, Lower Hutt, Stokes Valley, Point Howard and Days Bay. On the formation of the New Zealand Fire Commission and nationalisation of the Fire Service in 1976 the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade became part of the No 4 Region Wellington. Further changes to the command structure followed in 1981, 1986 and in 1995 with a return to separate fire districts including the Hutt Fire District.
In 2005 the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade celebrated 100 years of 'Brave and Loyal Service' and to honour the occasion the book written by Colin Gray was launched at the reunion. The celebrations consisted of a public open day, a dinner where gold stars and long service awards were made and a Sunday barbeque breakfast at the fire station to end the festivities.
The Future of Fire Cover in Lower Hutt
For over 50 years the Lower Hutt Central Fire Station provided a home, recreation, education and a base for the members of the Lower Hutt Fire Brigade. However, a continuing increase in the population and the growth of Lower Hutt City meant that the provision of fire services was again under the spotlight in the twenty-first century. A decision was made to close the Waterloo Road Fire Station with the construction of three new fire stations in Seaview, Alicetown and Avalon, which became operational in January 2007. It was reported in the Hutt News that due to the number of calls from the suburbs and the time taken to attend it was better to have smaller stations closer to the fires. The Fire Service stated that the $5.5 million project would modernise fire cover in Lower Hutt with the new stations being designed with input from local fire fighters and would provide the best available fire cover for at least the next 30 years.
The former Lower Hutt Central Fire Station had served the Lower Hutt community for over 50 years and its longevity is a testament to the planning and design of the site and building which sustained fighting services for such a lengthy period of time.
The residential units were sold for private residences in 1990 and the building and the site were purchased by the Commissioner of Crown Lands in 2009 to be held for Treaty Settlement purposes.
