The Society has appealed to the Environment Court against a resource consent obtained from North Shore City Council by the owner of the Masonic Hotel to redevelop the site.
The case has yet to be heard. However, a very considerable body of evidence has been unearthed and researched by the Society. This information is of enormous value.
Given this material is now in the public domain, I have copied a tiny fraction of it below. Should anyone wish to see more, then I am sure a donation to the Masonic Friendly Society would secure copies of this material.
Below is a little snippet of the history of Masonic Hotel that has been uncovered by Susan Joffe, who is an independent historical researcher, and which is contained in her substantial evidence to the Environment Court....
Interesting, don't you think. And that's just a taste of the detail and colour that has been uncovered by Susan Joffe. Other affidavits add considerable architectural detail. Worth protecting that heritage and those historic connections with old Auckland. Great work guys.Figure 1. Masonic Hotel, c.1879. J. Richardson.
3. Summary of History
3.1 Masonic Hotel was built in 1866 by George Beddoes under contract to Thomas John Duder. It was intended to be a resort for wealthy travelers and a holiday destination. With eleven bedrooms and two sitting rooms on the second storey all well decorated and furnished. The ground floor rooms catered to gentlemen’s
sports such a billiards and meeting rooms.
3.2 It immediately became the center of social and commercial activity in the new settlement of East Devonport. It was the watering hole for workers in the shipyards of Torpedo Bay and the meeting place for community groups, sports clubs and local government – Flagstaff Highway Board.
3.3 Photographs of this time show the thriving industry on the foreshore – ship
building, timber milling, wharves with unloading scows.
3.4 The 1883 extension added more bedrooms and kitchen was moved to in a separate building. The south and west facades were altered. It was renamed Pearce’s Masonic Hotel.
3.5 It remained the premier hotel in Devonport until the Esplanade 1902. At this time the commercial center had gradually moved to Victoria Road. However, the
community use of the facility for celebrations and meetings continued.
3.6 The hotel narrowly escaped a fire that damaged the separate two storied building housing servants rooms and the kitchen in 1905.
3.7 Masonic Hotel was sold out of the Duder family in 19247 and, after less than a
decade in private ownerships, was bought by Dominion Breweries in 1937.
3.8 Alterations in the 1960s included the filling in of the verandas.
3.9 With the extension of the licensing hours in 1967 it became Masonic Tavern and
no longer provided accommodation....
4. Historic Significance
There are many aspects to be considered when evaluating historical and cultural
significance. The Masonic Tavern (Hotel) is over 140 years and is therefore
valued for its age. Having been designed by one of Auckland’s early architects
and that the form and ornamentation are typical of public buildings of the time,
also attracts merit. However, it is the social and community values and the part it
has played in the history of the development of Devonport, the associations with
events and people that are of utmost importance in assigning historical
significance in this case.
Dr David Throsby Professor of Economics at Macquarie University, Melbourne
has researched and written widely on the cultural value of heritage buildings.
These values are multi faceted and include the aesthetic, spiritual, social, historic,
symbolic and educational. They are not easily translated into economics as there
is no single unit of account but attempts are being made. The non use values
include the fact that heritage buildings exist, are part of the landscape, are
pleasant to look at and contribute to a sense of well being and belonging.
Heritage buildings are cultural capital that demand a duty of care. There must be
a balancing of economic and cultural values to ensure that future generations have
equitable access to our heritage.
The following definitions are taken from the Auckland City Council assessment
criteria 2009 (draft)
4.1 People: Is the place directly associated with the life or works of well-known or
important individuals?The Masonic Hotel’s association with person or persons is significant.
The name Duder is inextricably linked with the early Development of Devonport.
Thomas Duder owned the land the Masonic is built on, caused it to be built and the hotel remained in the family for nearly sixty years.
Robert Duder lived in the hotel for many years and many of the Duder enterprises were concentrated in the immediate vicinity.(Annex I p.19)
George Beddoes a pioneering shipbuilder, the first industry in Devonport, built the hotel.(Annex p.25)
Richard Keals one of New Zealand’s early architect who built many public
buildings, designed the hotel (Annex II p.22)
Edward Bartley architect of 1883 additions is recognized as a leading influence in colonial architecture, designed the 1883 alterations.(Annex II p.28)
4.2 Themes/subthemes: – does the place have a direct and demonstrable association with important aspects of historical significance?4.2.1 Masonic’s role in the rivalry over the establishment of the commercial center of Devonport. The Masonic was built as a direct result of the opposition to the Holmes Bros. establishment of the Flagstaff Hotel on the foreshore at Victoria Road. The competition to have the center of commercial and civic activity at Church Street involved prominent leaders in the development of Devonport who – who are commemorated in place names.
4.2.2 Contribution to Devonport becoming a holiday destination .
The Masonic Hotel was designed for the holidaying families,
honeymooners and invalids and recuperating patients.
This was reported in the accounts of the opening which extol the well
appointed bedrooms, sitting rooms and sanitary facilities. Mr Cock in his
opening speech expressly mentions that he does not want to cultivate the
‘bar trade’. He also planned to build bathing sheds – salt water and
swimming was considered to have curative powers. The bathing machine
was built in 1869 by Mr James.
The tourism attractions in Devonport were expanded with the Esplanade
Hotel built in 1902 and the Ventnor on King Edward Parade.
The North Auckland Hotel at Stokes Point (Northcote) was built for
travelers going north or coming to the city. It was a holiday destination.
It burnt down and was replaced by the Northcote Tavern.
Masonic remained as a hotel until 1967 when it became a tavern.
4.3 Rarity: Is the place unique, uncommon at a district, regional or national level in relation to particular historic themes?4.3.1 The Masonic is oldest hotel (tavern) in Devonport and arguably the oldest building in the area. The hotel has served the public in the same fashion for 143 years apart from offering accommodation, which ceased forty years ago.
4.3.2 The two other hotels opened in 1866 in Victoria Road, British Hotel and Victoria Hotel had both ceased to exist by mid 1880s.
4.4 Social Values: Community association Is the place important to a community
because of the associations and meaning developed through use and association?
Identity: Is the place a focus of community identity or sense of place, and
does it have social value and provide evidence of cultural or historical
continuity.Throughout its history the Masonic has been a meeting place for locals,
and venue for social occasions. It is identified with the beginnings of
many of Devonport’s sports clubs – many of which are still functioning.
The Flagstaff hotel no longer exists and the Esplanade built in 1902 cannot claim to have played a similar role in the life of the community as the Masonic. Being forty years later it was not the center of the development of local politics, sports clubs and other social activities of the young settlement.
Even before it officially opened its doors the Masonic Hotel was the center of social activity in the community. In July 1866 a lunch was held to
celebrate the launching of a ship.
Significant to the yachting community from the early days of Auckland
Regatta to Peter Blake planning for his America’s Cup Campaign, the
Masonic has served this maritime community.
Throughout its existence the Masonic has played host to the various
defence forces occupying North Head and Fort Tamaki.
Of more recent times it has been the venue for developing musical talent
as being in a band has become a right of passage for Devonport youth.
4.5 Public esteem: Is the place held in high public esteem for its local or
district significance of cultural sentiment?The Masonic Hotel and the buildings around are valued as evidence of the early days of Devonport and the industry and commerce that gave thrived there. It was the first public meeting space. The first local government entity, the Flagstaff Highway Board Annual Meeting 1867. The meeting for fund raising for the Devonport Hall was held there.
The hotel itself has been host to generations of Devonportians who enjoy
the knowledge that their grandfather celebrated in the same hotel.
It holds a special place as the venue for the beginnings of sports clubs
their meetings and after match celebrations....
You can see more at: http://www.masonicfriendlysociety.org/
2 comments:
I am saddened to read that the hotel is threatened. It IS Devonport in that it is in such a prominent position and it is one of the first buildings you see when you arrive. The destruction of this lovely landmark would be a tragedy for Devonport and New Zealand.
It was really an interesting read. I didn't hear about the history of this hotel.
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