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Newspaper reports of a fire in one of the early fine mansions of Island Bay give an insight into the lives of the rich here before the suburb itself was settled. Despite the importance of the house and its owner its exact location is not known to us: probably close to where Wakefield Park is now.
After the early owner of much of Island Bay, George Hunter, sold his Island Bay Estate’ in December 1878, it was sold to a syndicate, which proceeded to divide the sections up for sale. (See article in Southern Bays #19)
It appears that large parts of Island Bay were bought up by investors, for further on-selling into smaller sections, and in some cases, for the construction of impressive houses for the well-to-do buyers, their families and their servants.
There is a map of the subdivision by surveyor J. N. Coleridge in 1879, for Bethune & Co., which is on the back cover of our issue. It took a long time to sell all the sections due to a lot of land being offered for sale across Wellington about the same time, and the depression that lasted from 1885 into the 1890s.
A prominent solicitor, Worley Bassett Edwards, purchased at least 12 acres of section 5, the northern end of Island Bay. He lived in a grand house, and as far as we can ascertain, this was probably the large house previously built by George Hunter. Born in London, Edwards had been schooled in Dunedin, then moved to Oamaru with his mother, where his parents split up. After moving to Wellington, he became a partner in the law firm Moorhouse, Edwards and Cutten. His friend and colleague Charles William Cutten also purchased land, at the south end of Island Bay, but also resided at the Edwards’ house Elverton, where he died on 8 May 1885, aged 35. The following year Edwards married Cutten’s widow Mary Ann Cutten, a third marriage for her. She had four children from her first marriage to Mr George, none with Cutten, and eventually one son with Edwards.
Edwards only had the property a few years, when he began trying to sell the house and land, and by 1884 he had advertised frequently and at great expense..
Worley Bassett Edwards, later Sir Bassett
For example……
MONDAY, 23rd JUNE, At 11 o’clock sharp,
SALE OF THE MODERN AND VALUABLE AND FURNISHINGS OF A GENTLEMAN’S RESIDENCE,
ELVERTON, ISLAND BAY.
FRANCIS SIDEY & CO. have received Instructions from W. B. Edwards, Esq., who has determined to give up housekeeping, to W.B. Edwards (1850-1927) sell, by public auction, at Elverton, Island Bay — The whole of the elegant and valuable furniture and upholstery, together with the pictures, books, &c., &c., contained in the undermentioned rooms, to be sold positively without reserve—
DRAWING-ROOM - Magnificent velvet curtains, elegant pier glasses, occasional tables, whatnots, and canterburies, beautiful inlaid cabinet, cut Bohemian lustres and vases, alabaster figures, shades, and stands, Venus Rising from the Sea, &c, &c.; very beautiful Japanese afternoon tea service, ditto coffee service, large number of choice pictures, drawing-room furniture, covered in velvet on suite, with centre ottoman, occasional chairs, steel-bar fenders, piano, very elegant drawing-room clock, Wedgewood ware ornaments, superior velvet pile carpet (about 80 yards), cut glass chandeliers, &c ., &c.
DINING-ROOM—Telescope dining tables, sideboard, chimney glass, handsome Brussels carpet, mahogany suits covered in hair cloth, superior 28-day marble striking clock, choice pictures, plate, linen, cutlery, engraved glass, china, &c., real china fern and flower stands, massive steel fender, &c., &c.
LIBRARY, Superior early English secretary drawers and bookcase (enclosed glass), massive mahogany pedestal and cabinet writing-table, with writing slope and well, revolving library chair, curtain poles and rings, superior 28-day marble striking clock, Brussels carpet, skin rugs, pictures, lounge covered in rep, choice and carefully-selected library, consisting of standard works of prose, poetry, history, biography, science, and fiction, by the best authors (about 250) volumes).
MORNING-ROOM (upstairs)—Large massive mahogany centre-table, gilt chimney glass, superior lounge, easy chairs, felt carpets, clock, vases, very superior cedar bookcase (glass-enclosed cupboards and drawers), steel fender and irons, curtains and poles.
HALL & STAIRCASE —OiIcIoth and linoleum as planned to ground on first floors, very handsome hat and umbrella stand (with plate-glass back), bronze figures and brackets, coir and wool mats, Brussels stair-carpets and brass rods, croquet and lawn tennis sets, double-barrel gun (by Westley Richards)
BlLLIARD ROOM, containing one of Alcock’s full-sized tables, &c.,&c.
BEST BEDROOM —Suite covered in crimson rep, superior Scotch chest of drawers, marble washstand, large oval dressing glass with jewel trays, nearly new Brussels carpet as planned, skin rug. steel bar, fender, and irons, mahogany loo table, gilt cornice and curtains, iron bedsteads, feather pillows, wool mattress, elegant bronze lamp, picture brackets, &c., &c.; also, the contents of other bedrooms to No.3.
STOREROOM —Contents and usual appliances of housekeeping
KlTCHEN.—Furniture, large dresser, cooking utensils, and all the usual contents and conveniences.
STABLE, GARDEN; & GREENHOUSE.— For full particulars, see catalogue, which can now be had on application.
Note. —The residence and grounds, consisting of about 12 acres, will be sold by auction on the same date prior to the furniture.
P.S,—Arrangement for carriages from the Tramway to Island Bay have been made. Intending purchasers will be convened to and from sale free of expense. Lunch at 1 o’clock.
Another advertisement described the 12 acres including buildings thus:
The Beautiful Property known as Elverton, Island Bay, Comprising— Twelve acres of freehold, together with the thoroughly convenient and complete dwelling-house, containing thirteen large living rooms (including full-sized billiard-room); and in addition, scullery, pantry, washhouse, dairy, storeroom, &c. - Stabling, coach-house, cow-house, &c. Gardener’s cottage containing four rooms, &c., &c. Gas and hot and cold water are laid on throughout the house. Immunity from city rates. The property will be offered in one lot, and if not sold the dwelling-house, with four acres or more of land, at the option of the purchaser, will be offered separately. Terms—One fifth cash, balance on mortgage for a term of years at 7 per cent.
The house failed to sell at the 23 June 1884 auction and was later put on the open market. Edwards continued to advertise for labourers to work on his land until the last remaining sections were all sold in the late 1890s.
Edwards had only been married a year, when on 17th May 1887, the house burnt down. It was reported in the local papers, including the New Zealand Times
There were multiple insurance companies involved in the claim, which resulted in an inquiry as to the cause of the fire. The report of the inquiry makes fascinating reading.
Here is the report in the New Zealand Mail of 3 June 1887, page 24.
THE LATE FIRE AT MR EDWARDS’ RESIDENCE.
OFFICIAL INQUIRY.
An inquiry into the circumstances attending the fire which caused the destruction of Mr W. B. Edwards’ residence at Island Bay on the 17th inst. was held in the petty jury room, Supreme Court, last Friday morning, before the District Coroner, Dr Johnston. The following jury were sworn in : —Messrs W. Clark (foreman), J. E. Hayes, T. White, W. Wiggins, J. R. Gibbons, and Captain Rose. Mr Skerrett appeared on behalf of the Insurance Companies and the police. Detective Chrystal, Messrs Simpson (New Zealand Insurance Company), Boardman (South British Insurance Company), Harbroe (Colonial Insurance Company), were also present.
Mary Ann Edwards, wife of Mr W. B. Edwards, deposed that on the date in question, about 12.30 p.m., she went upstairs to call a friend, Miss Bartley, for luncheon, who had been staying with her for the past 14 months. After calling Miss Bartley, witness went to her dressing-room, off her bedroom, when she saw smoke issuing from the wardrobe. Witness then saw that some matches which were kept there were alight. Some of the matches were loose on the floor of the wardrobe, and were on fire. There was either half or a whole gross of matches. [1 gross =144 -ed]. Did not always keep the matches there; they were usually kept in the storeroom in the yard. The matches had been kept in the wardrobe for over three months, and were kept there for convenience. On seeing the smoke witness called Miss Bartley, and with the latter’s assistance put the fire out, smothering it with a large woollen shawl. Miss Bartley took some of the clothes, a pair of trousers and a dress coat, which were hanging in the wardrobe immediately over the fire, and hung them out of the window.
While hanging the clothes out, Miss Meacham, another visitor, came up and assisted. Just then witness’ attention was attracted by the discharge of a gun. On looking out witness saw that the manservant had shot two or three cats. Seeing the cats dying made witness feel ill, and she was hurried downstairs by the girls.
Shortly after they all sat down to lunch, and after about twenty minutes or half an hour had elapsed, witness went round to the back of the house to tell the man to get the buggy ready. While looking for the man witness saw smoke coming from under the eaves of the house near her bedroom. She ran inside and called out to the young ladies that the house was on fire. She immediately went upstairs, followed by Miss Bartley, and on opening her bedroom found it was so full of smoke that it was impossible to enter. By this time the man servant was upstairs, and witness implored him to save her mother’s bed, which was in Miss Bartley’s room. There was no fire in Miss Bartley’s room, and the man threw the bed out of the window, then proceeded to save other articles from upstairs and the drawing-room downstairs.
The house was completely destroyed. There was no supply of water in the house except that which supplied the bathroom. Witness thought the fire must have spread through getting under some of the clothes which were not taken down in the wardrobe. [She] believed that the wardrobe was quite free of fire when she left it. Examined the floor of the wardrobe, where all the fire appeared to be, and had no suspicion that the fire had spread to any other part of the wardrobe.
By Mr Skerrett: Witness left her room at about 11.30 that morning in company with Miss Meacham, and remained downstairs till she went up to call Miss Bartley. The matches were in tin boxes, and some of them had been spilled. Could only account for the loose matches by supposing that her children, who often went up for a box, had upset them. She saw the matches loose that morning, and had asked Miss Bartley to tell the housemaid to pick them up. Thought there were enough loose matches to fill a box. [She] did not think she had removed any of the matches after stamping the fire out. [She] did not cause the matches to be placed in the wardrobe. After going downstairs witness did not tell any of the servants about the fire. [She] remembered telling one of the maid servants not to open the bedroom door, because if that were done the smoke would enter the other upstairs rooms and prevent anything from being saved. Witness also told the manservant not to open the bedroom door. The property was insured in her name. None of her jewellery was saved from the bedroom, but some which she had worn two or three days before, and had left downstairs, was saved. The most valuable part of her jewellery was saved. It was not unusual to have the jewellery downstairs. By Detective Chrystal: The house had been advertised for a long time, but the furniture had never been offered for sale.
Lillie Bartley deposed that on the day of the fire she was in her room when Mrs Edwards called her to go down to luncheon. They left the room together and went to Mrs Edwards’ apartments, and upon going in the dressing-room she saw a little smoke in the bedroom issuing from the wardrobe. Saw some matches burning on the floor of the wardrobe. There were about a dozen boxes of matches, and three of them were alight. Assisted Mrs Edwards in putting the fire out. There were two pairs of trousers singed round the bottom of the legs which witness hung out of the window. Shortly after [she] heard the report of a gun, and on looking out saw that the manservant had shot three cats. Witness was amused, but it made Mrs Edwards sick. They went downstairs and all had luncheon together. Mrs Edwards subsequently left the table, stating that she was unwell and did not want anything to eat. She went out saying that she was going to order the buggy. [She] heard Mrs Edwards cry out “The place is on fire” a few minutes afterward.
By Mr Skerrett: Was very sure there were no loose matches alight in the wardrobe. There were three boxes alight, the lid of one being open. Did not notice any flame, but saw smoke issuing from the three boxes. The trousers were just scorched all around the bottom of the legs. Thought the flame from the matches would probably cause the scorching of the trousers. Did not notice a stocking on the ground. Mrs Edwards had said something to witness about asking the housemaid to remove some loose matches that were lying on the floor of the wardrobe, but witness did not tell the housemaid. Did not remove the three boxes of matches after placing the shawl over them, because she thought the fire was extinguished. When Mrs Edwards rushed in crying “fire,” witness went upstairs with her. Mrs Edwards had only been out of the luncheon room a few minutes when she returned screaming that the place was on fire. There was a little smoke in the dressing-room, but the bedroom was full. [She] could not get into the bedroom on account of the smoke [and] did not see any other attempts made to get into the room. Witness subsequently went downstairs and saved the trunks belonging to herself, which were in the billiard room. Mr Edwards asked the witness if it would have been possible for Mrs Edwards to have gone upstairs after she left the dining-room without being seen by witness. The witness said it would have been impossible.
Mr Edwards said it had been suggested that when Mrs Edwards left the room she went to fire the place. The Coroner said nothing of the sort had been suggested. The foreman also said that no such suggestion had been made. The Coroner said he could not allow such a thing to pass. He felt quite certain in his own mind that no such suggestion as Mr Edwards had stated had been made against Mrs Edwards. The witness, further examined by Mr Edwards, stated that it was usual for Mrs Edwards to leave the table on account of feeling unwell. It was not unusual for Mrs Edwards’ jewellery to be kept in a locked box in the front bedroom downstairs. The room was generally kept locked.
By the Foreman: [She] did not form any opinion as to how the matches caught fire [and] did not discuss the matter at the luncheon table. Did not remember speaking about the matter at all.
By Mr Edwards: Mrs Edwards had been downstairs at least an hour before the fire was discovered. By Mr Skerrett (instructed by Detective Chrystal): When witness went upstairs to her own room she left Mr Edwards downstairs.
Mr Skerrett said that he had been instructed by the insurance companies to state that the value of the furniture was about £ISOO or £I6OO, and was only insured for £950. There was no doubt that the furniture was more valuable than the insurance would recoup. Flora Jeffries stated that she was housemaid at Edwards’ on the 17th instant. On going upstairs after the alarm had been given, she saw that the landing and Mrs Edwards’ dressing-room were quite full of smoke. Did not go into Mrs Edwards’ room because it was full of fire. [She] had been working in Mrs Edwards’ room that morning, and had been downstairs about an hour and twenty minutes before the alarm was given.
By Mr Edwards: [She] saw some loose matches lying at the bottom of the wardrobe.
By Mr Skerrett: [She] did not know whether the children had been upstairs between 12 and 1 o’clock. Annie Meacham gave similar evidence to that given by Miss Bartley.
By the Foreman: [She] did not remember anything being said at the luncheon table about the remarkable escape they had experienced from being burned out. Miss Bartley and witness were laughing a great deal about the shooting of the cats.
The Coroner remarked that it was an extraordinary thing that they appeared to be more excited about the shooting of the cats than the fire.
By Mr Edwards: [She] was in Mrs Edwards’ company the whole of the morning before the latter went upstairs to call Miss Bartley. It would have been impossible for Mrs Edwards to have gone upstairs when she left the table without witness seeing her.
Henry Freeman, groom and gardener, deposed that he was in the house at the time of the alarm. [He] had not been seated long when Miss Bartley came into the kitchen and said that there was a fire upstairs. Immediately went upstairs, meeting Mrs Edwards on the landing, who said, “What shall I do, the place is on fire.” Mrs Edwards pointed out where the fire was in the dressing-room. [He] opened the door just a little and the fire and smoke came in his face. Mrs Edwards asked witness to save a quilt which contained Miss Bartley’s jewellery. He also saved a bed which Mrs Edwards said was her mother's.
Mr W. B. Edwards, being sworn, stated that the personal effects in the house burned were insured for £950, and the piano for £5O. Since the fire he had, with the assistance of his wife, made a schedule of the goods that they could remember that had been destroyed, for the insurance company. The value of the goods actually destroyed was £1630, besides which they saved goods to the value of about £3OO. In addition to the goods he had included in the schedule, he had lost the whole of his clothes, and everything of value he possessed. The insurance did not exceed one half the value of the goods in the house. The house and outbuildings were insured for £1465. They were valued about five months ago by Mr Toxward for the New Zealand Insurance Company, and according to Mr R. M. Simpson’s (manager of the New Zealand Company) own statement the buildings could not be replaced for less than £2OOO. Witness produced a certificate from Mr Chatfield, architect, showing that the buildings could not be reinstated for less than that sum. [He] had never attempted to insure to a greater extent than existed at the time of the fire.
By the Foreman: There were rats about the place notwithstanding that they had 14 cats. Lately they had been troubled with mice in very large quantities. This was all the evidence.
The Coroner said it would be quite superfluous for him to make any remarks about the matter. The jury were quite competent to decide for themselves.After about a quarter of an hour’s retirement the jury brought in the following verdict: — “That the jury are of opinion that the fire was caused through the matches in the wardrobe becoming ignited, but there is nothing to show how they became ignited. The jury are further of opinion that gross carelessness was manifested in not effectually clearing the wardrobe after the first outbreak.”
Matches of the time could catch alight by almost any sort of friction. Wax vestas (matches), 1895 - 1910, Wellington, by R. Bell and Company Ltd. Gift of the Guard family, 1993. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. Te Papa (GH005175)
It didn’t take the jury long at all to decide there was no arson, but poor judgement. These days it is hard to believe how cavalier people were when storing matches, which were probably not safety matches.
Edwards seemed more interested in living in the city, and he appointed architect William Charles Chatfield, who had given evidence at the inquiry, to build a large house on the corner of Hill Street and Tinakori Road, which became the family residence. By 1897 plans were submitted to add balconies. In 1894 Edwards became a Judge and moved to Auckland. He was considered controversial and temperamentally unsuitable for the role. He retired to live in Woollahra, Sydney with a step-daughter, where he died in 1927. He was knighted in 1919. Lady Edwards remained in Wellington until her death in 1930.
There is a revealing biography of Edwards in the Dictionary of National Biography:
“Worley Bassett Edwards was undoubtedly the most controversial man to have sat on the Bench of the Supreme Court of New Zealand. Character flaws dogged his judicial career and earned him the fierce dislike of many practising lawyers… Edwards was an erudite and industrious judge with fine analytical skills. His contribution to the law as a commissioner of the Native Land Court was also distinguished, and he could be a pungent critic of the advice tendered by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council. However, although they were in awe of his legal knowledge, Auckland lawyers came to resent Edwards for his atrocious treatment of those whom he disfavoured, and the prejudice he displayed towards particular counsel and their clients. Naturally arrogant and vindictive, his behaviour may also have owed something to a feeling that fate had sentenced him to life in a coarse-grained colony”.
Caricatures of members of the judicature showing, Worley Bassett Edwards second from left. From left to right: F R Chapman, W B Edwards, J S Williams, R Stout, J E Denniston, T Cooper, W A Sim and below A Cooper. The men are all seated at a bench, with Sir Robert Stout in the centre and Arthur Cooper taking notes below the bench. Bowring, Walter Armiger 1874-1931 :[The judicature in the time of Sir Robert Stout] Chch Press co. lith. [Christchurch, Christchurch Press Co., 1913]Reference Number: C-034-006, Turnbull Library.
Sources: The owner of another fine early Island Bay home, ‘Hurston’ on the corner of Mersey St (#1) and Melbourne Roadhttps://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3e2/edwards-worley-bassett
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