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Nelson Historical Society Journal, Volume 6, Issue 6, 2008

3 1897: November 19 (Friday)

3 1897: November 19 (Friday)

Details:

Fire which began in the Institute building (William St) was noticed at 3 am by a guest named Bird staying at the Collingwood Hotel opposite. In half an hour both the Institute and the Library buildings were destroyed. The Druids Lodge had held a meeting in the evening and its Secretary H. B. Riley had stayed till midnight, working by candle, which he extinguished before leaving. Neighbouring buildings were saved by a bucket brigade of local residents in 'every variety of garment'. The cause was 'a mystery'.

The Institute, an old building (opened 1862), was a 'dumping ground' for 'nearly everything and everybody in the district'; the Library was a new building (1–2 years old) with a valuable collection. Specific materials destroyed included: Aorere Works Committee (of Collingwood County Council) records for 30 years (including the valuation roll and plan of work); Good Templars Lodge regalia and records; Foresters Lodge regalia and records for 25 years; Druids Lodge records (a new lodge); Collingwood Choral and Dramatic Society property; Collingwood Athletic Association records; brass band instruments (of the defunct Collingwood Brass Band); Sunday School Girls page 34Sewing Class materials and fundraising articles made over recent months; historical artefacts and mineral specimens in the 'Museum' (a glass cabinet).

Sources:

Golden Bay Argus , 25 Nov 1897, p. 2–3 ('Disastrous Fire')†; Nelson Evening Mail , 19 Nov 1897, p. 2 ('Destructive Fire at Collingwood'). Newport Collingwood, p. 171; Newport Golden Bay , p. 59 (dated as 25 November), † it refers to an 'Extra' issue of the paper on 19 Nov 1897, covering the fire, but this has not been located.

Collingwood after the 1904 fire. The Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree Studio Collection, 177092/3

Collingwood after the 1904 fire.
The Nelson Provincial Museum, Tyree Studio Collection, 177092/3