Index		Compiled by Dawn Chambers	email: d.chambers@paradise.net.nz

Timeline for John Howard Keep (1858-1915)


1882 Jan 25	Fire, Hunter Street, Wellington, NZ

c1885		Smelts Parapara iron-ore, Nelson

1887 Oct 25	Writing from Theatre Royal Hotel, Thames

1888 Feb 21	Special Claim "Tui Creek" Registered
1888 Feb 23	Application for special claim and water race at Tui Creek
1888 Sep 25	Shareholder Champion Lode No.4
1888 Oct 23	Licensee for Champion Lode No.4 Licensed Holding



Evening Post Thursday 26 Jan 1882
Fire in Hunter Street

About 10 minutes to 7 o'clock last evening  a fire broke out in a
pile of buildings in Hunter street, known as Mr E. W. Mills store and
offices. Within a very short space of time a large number of firemen
and others had assembled on the scene to assist in extinguishing the
fire, a few first arrivals having already succeeded in effecting an
entrance to the building, which at this time was deserted and locked
up. Some smoke issuing from the eaves of the building attracted the
attention of several persons in the vicinity, and among the first on
the spot was Mr Mills himself, who chanced to be passing down Lambton
Quay in a tram car and observed the smoke. Luckily, the fire was
nipped in the bud, thanks to the gallant persevering exertions of
those engaged in putting it out. It is supposed that the fire
originated in a corner of the office of the store, in the vicinity of
the gas meter. It is, however, difficult to discover the real cause
at present. Mr Jennings, the storeman, is said to have locked up the
premises exactly an hour prior to the outbreak, and everything was
apparently all right as usual when he left. It is further stated that
no fire had been lighted, in the building for some 'time past', nor
had the gas been used. During the day the gasman attended and examined
the meter contained in a cupboard built against the front wall of the
building. It seems the fire broke out in the skirting, and the flames
were probably drawn up to the ceiling above, thus communicating with
the upper story. The damage occassioned by the fire was comparatively
insignificant. Numerous bales of wool were rolled into the street,
together with other kinds of goods, and were slightly injured by
water. It is exceedingly fortunate that the fire was extinguished at
an incipient stage, otherwise one of the most valuable blocks in the
city, comprising numerous stores and offices, containing goods and
property to the extent of many thousands of pounds, would have been
in a fair way to be completely destroyed. To the firemen and their
assistants is due the credit of saving the Insurance Companies from
such a calamity, and these companies would be performing a graceful,
and at the same time deserving act, were they to subscribe a handsome
donation to the Fire Brigades for their services as we suggested
should be done. It may be added that the building is insured in the
Colonial Office for 2,000 pounds, in the North British and Royal
Offices for 1,000 pounds each, in the New Zealand for 500 pounds and
National for 250 pounds. The stock was insured in the Colonial for
1,500 pounds, Transatlantic, United, Imperial and Hanseatic Offices
1,000 pounds each, and in the Northern and Victorian for 500 pounds
each. At the time of the fire, however, the stock was very small
consisting principally of hardware. The wools, &c., stored on the
premises belong to Messrs Johnston & Co., who were insured in respect
of this property in the National Office on a floating policy.

It now transpires that when the Gas Company's officer examined the
meter at 4 o'clock, Mr Keep, we are informed, remarked that he thought
there was an escape of gas. The officer thereupon asked for some
matches, a box of which was supplied to him. Several of these were
struck, and after examination reported that there was no escape. It is
not improbable that an unextinguished match set fire to the wood,
which smouldered until it finally broke out. The hose kept on the
premises proved of incalculable advantage in subduing the fire.

Their being no suspicious circumstances surrounding the affair, the
police authorities do not consider it necessary to hold an inquest.

New Zealand Mail 28 Jan 1882 page 15
Fire in Hunter Street

Within a few minutes of seven o'clock on Jan 25th, Big Ben rang out an
alarm, and the "dreadful bell" was speedily echoed by the alarm from
each fire station throughout the metropolis. Almost as soon as the
first peal was tolled excited persons hastened towards Hunter-street
from adjoining thoroughfares, a tiny cloud of white smoke being
observed ominously ascending from that locality. Within a very few
seconds a large crowd had assembled around the pile of buildings
which were some time since, erected and tenanted by Mr E. W. Mills,
from the upper potions of which, by this time flames were seen 
issuing. The Brandon-street contingent of the Municipal Fire Brigade
were upon the spot in a remarkably short space of time, the
representatives being Branchman Woolcock and Fireman Dodsworth.
Before their arrival, however, a Mr McGregor had affected an entrance
to the first storey of the building by means of a ladder, and assisted
in subduing the flames. The discovery of the fire appears to have been
made simultaneously by at least half-a-dozen persons, each of whom
vied in his endeavours to prevent the fire from obtaining a hold. Mr
M. O'Brien, the messenger of the Mutual Provident Association observed
what he describes as "whiffs of smoke", curling from under the eaves
of the building, and he apprised Mr Thomas Glew, lessee of the Central
Hotel; and, at this juncture, singular to say, Mr E. W. Mills, the
former proprietor of the place, and Mr Hayes, brass founder, of
Lambton quay, who were journeying home in a tramcar, observing
indications of a conflagration, jumped from the car and hastened to
the spot. Mr Hayes, directed by Mr E. W. Mills and assisted by Mr
Glew, kicked in the little wicket gate in the gateway of the building
and piloted by Mr Mills, who, of course, knew the "run of the place",
got, within one or two minutes, the fire hose stationed on the 
premises to play, and, undoubtedly to this fact is attributable the
salvation of not only the building in which the fire originated, but
also the entire block bounded on the north by Messrs Joseph Nathan
and Co's store, the contents of which, irrespective altogether of the
building, may be estimated at 40,000 pounds; the Post Office Hotel,
the Pier Hotel, the Bank of Australasia, and the magnificent brick
pile situated at the corner of Custom House-quay and Hunter-street,
in the occupation of the Mutual Provident Association, Messrs
Bannatyne's free and bonded store, and others, all full of valuable
properties. Providentially the damage occasioned is very small, and
that this is so is, in no small degree attributable to the exertions
of those first on the scene.

The fire is supposed to have originated in the corner of the office of
the store and close to the gas meter. This is the opinion of Mr J. H.
Keepe, who says that his storeman, Mr T. Jennings, locked up the
premises at about 10 minutes to 6, leaving everything then apparently
all right, that no fire had been lighted in the building for some time
past, nor the gas turned on. The gasman, he says, was there during the
day to examine the meter, which is kept in a cupboard built against
the front wall of the building. The fire broke out in the skirting
boards, and there seems to have been drawn upwards through a pilaster,
which acted admirably as a funnel or flue, and communicated with the
wall of the storey above. The firemen worked with a will, and the
Salvage Corps, under Captain Palmer, was promptly on the scene, and in
a very few moments, assisted by the police under Sergeants Anderson
and Price, 170 bales of wool and skins were rolled into the street.
The energy displayed by both corps is commendable. The damage
occasioned, whether as regarded the building or the stock is slight,
and may be estimated at under 150 pounds. The wool taken from the
building has been slightly damaged by water and will require to be
repacked. The building is insured in the Colonial Insurance Company
for 2,000 pounds, the New Zealand for 500 pounds, the North British
for 1,000 pounds, the National for 500 pounds, and the Royal for
1,000 pounds. The stock some little time since in the building was
insured in the Colonial for 2,000 pounds, in the Transatlantic for
1,000 pounds, the Victorian for 500 pounds and in the United for
1,000 pounds, and some of these policies are still current, but the
stock in the place at the time of the fire was very small, consisting
mainly of hardware. The wool and skins stored there belong to Messrs
Johnston and Co., and was insured on a floating policy in the National
Company for 4,500 pounds. It is said that the National Company had
only just accepted an insurance of 3,000 pounds on this portion of the
contents of the building, and had not had time to reinsure, as usual,
a portion of the risk. It will be thus understood that very many
interests were involved in the chances of the conflagration spreading.

Evening Post Monday 6 Feb 1882
The Recent Fire in Hunter Street - Enquiry into the Origin

An inquest was held today before Dr Johnston, district coroner, and
a jury, into the origin of the fire which occured on the 25th January,
on what are known as Mr E. W. Mills' premises, but which were at the
time in the occupation of the Messrs Keep. The following jurymen
were sworn: Messrs Charles Hill (foreman), G. Aldous, J. Hillier,
M. J. Mulligan, C. Gamble, W. Smith, J. Reid, J. Sloan, W. Lankshear,
J. McDowell, W. Wiggins, W. Handley, S. Stone, C. Harding, J. Killow,
F. G. Spicer and W. J. Gandy.

Dr Johnston said all that could be done would be to ascertain how
gasmen did their work in dealing with gasfittings. The fire was one
which might have resulted in incalculable damage to the city, and it
is right that a searching investigation should be made into the origin
of the occurrence. The jury having viewed the premises, the following
evidence was taken:-

John Howard Keep, the occupier of the premises in question, said -
About 4 o'clock on the afternoon of the 25th ult. the gasman came in
and went to examine the meter. When the gasman was leaving witness
remarked that he had noticed lately an escape of gas, and asked him to
ascertain where it came from. The gasman asked for matches, and
witness gave him a box, and the man went back to the meter. What he
did there witness did not know, as a curtain hid him from view. The
man, after making an examination for some minutes, said he could
discover no breakage, and then he left the premises. Witness left his
office about a quarter past 5 o'clock, leaving his storeman there.
Witness knew nothing more till he heard the firebells ring later on,
when he learned that there had been a fire on his premises.

To Chief Detective Brown - I think most certainly the fire originated
in the meter cupboard. The building is insured for 2,500 pounds,
distributed among five different offices. The whole stock was covered
by 6,500 pounds. My own stock would be worth 150 pounds. The policies
were really assigned policies of stock formerly in the building, but
the stock was removed by sales made by the trustees in the estate of
E. W. Mills. The policies were transferred to me to cover any stock
I might have in the building during the currency. The buildings are
now the property of Messrs Keep Bros., of Birmingham, whose
representative and attorney I am.

Frank Jennings corroborated the evidence of last witness as to the
gasman, and added that he looked into the office at ten minutes to
6 o'clock, and saw no sign of fire then. The gas had not been lighted
on the premises for several days.

William Kershaw, gasfitter, employed by the Wellington Gas Company,
deposed that on the afternoon of the 25th January he went to Mr
Keep's office to water the meter. Mr Keep said he thought there was a
leak and asked witness to see to it. Witness got matches, and tested
the joints of the pipe within the meter box, and could find no 
leakage. He blew out the matches used, and placed them on the front
of the meter. Did not hear of the fire till next morning.

To Chief Detective Brown - I have been six years connected with the
Gas Company. It is possible for an escape of gas at a joint behind the
pipe to ignite without being discernible in the day time. It is much
more difficult to make the joint seam at the back of a pipe than at
the front. I did not run my finger round the joint to see if there was
any lighted gas at the back. A small jet of lighted gas at the joint
would in time melt the solder, and thus increase the escape and flame.
The gas was turned on when I inspected the meter. I cannot say whether
I turned it off after my examination.

After hearing some further evidence of little import the jury
returned a verdict to the effect that the fire originated in the meter
box, either from the meter or pipes, but that there was no evidence
to show how it was ignited.

New Zealand Mail 11 Feb 1882
It will be recollected that, some few days subsequent to the recent
fire in Hunter-street, the Secretary to the Underwriters' Association
forwarded a cheque, through his Worship the Mayor, for 25 pounds on
behalf of the Association. The writer of the letter, in enclosing the
donation, stated that the 25 pounds was to be appropriated especially
to the members of the Fire Brigade for their entire disposal, and that
the gift was a voluntary one on the part of the Association, and in no
way attached any liability to the Association to contribute towards 
the permanent establishment of the Brigade. The formal resolution of
the Association reads as follows:- "Resolved, that the sum of 25
pounds be given by the Association to the Fire Brigade, to go the 
funds of the Brigade, and not to those of the Corporation, for 
services at the late fire in Hunter-street."

An inquest was held before Dr Johnston, City Coroner, at the Central
Hotel Feb 6th, with regard to origin of the fire which occurred in
Hunter-street on January 25th. Mr Charles Hill was elected foreman of
the jury. The evidence which was brought forward was almost entirely
directed towards ascertaining whether the gas-meter, or some of the
pipes leading to or from it, leaked or not. Mr J. H. Keep, the 
occupier of the premises, which form a portion of the estate of Mr
E. W. Mills, by whom they were used as stores and offices, stated that
at about 4 p.m. on January 25th the gasman came for the purpose of
examining the meter, and when he was about to go away witness remarked
to him that he had for some little time past noticed an escape of gas.
The gasman asked for a box of matches, and having obtained them, went
back to the meter, and, on returning, said that he could discover no
leakage. Witness left the premises about 5.15 p.m., and knew nothing
more as to what had happened until after the fire bells had given an
alarm. He had left his storeman in charge. He thought that the fire
had most likely originated at the gas-meter. The building was insured
in five different offices for a total of 2,500 pounds, while the stock
in it was covered by policies amounting to 6,500 pounds, his own stock
being worth about 150 pounds. The policies were assigned to him with
the estate of Mr E. W. Mills, and the stock which they covered had
been sold and removed, but they would have covered any stock he might
have put in the building during their currency. The buildings were the
property of Messrs Keep Bros., of Birmingham, whom the witness
represented in the colony. William Kershaw, a gasfitter in the employ
of the Wellington Gas Company, said that he had examined the meter in
the premises on the recommendation of Mr Keep. He burnt a number of
matches and applied them to the joints, but could detect no escape.
He placed all the burnt matches on the top of the meter. He ran his
finger round to the back of the pipe to see whether there was a flame
there. A jet at the joint would in time melt the metal, and thus cause
a big flame. The gas was turned on when he inspected the meter, but
he could not say whether he had turned it off or not. The jury
returned a verdict to the effect that the fire had originated in the
meter-box, either from the meter or the pipes, but that there was no
evidence to show how the gas had become ignited.


Nelson Historical Society Journal Vol 3 No. 5 - 5 Oct 1979

Between 1877 and 1886 J. Mackintosh Bell in "Parapara Subdivision"
states that the next attempt to smelt Parapara iron-ore was made by
Howard Keep and John Chambers, of Auckland, who took up a 640 acre
lease, and held it for ten years when it became the property of the
Bank of New Zealand. The Bank, in order to hold the ground, 
constructed a road and stacked a little ore.


Archives NZ Auckland Ref: BBAV 11500 8b p7
Te Aroha Wardens Mining Register 1887-1909

Special Claim "Tui Creek" 50 acres Application No. 28 (1887) folio 6a
License granted for 21 years from 21 Feb 1888
Licensee: John Howard Keep
Registered 16 Aug 1888 Certificate No. 7775
Conditions: the rent shall be at the following rate viz two shillings
and sixpence per acre for the first year, five shillings per acre for
the second and third years, ten shillings per acre for the next four
years and twenty shillings per acre for the next fourteen years. The
rent shall be paid half yearly in advance.

Rent due from: (Receipt number in brackets)
21 Feb 1888 to 20 Feb 1889	6 pounds 5s 
 half paid 15 Jun 1888 (48) and half paid 8 Feb 1889 (76)

21 Feb 1889 to 20 Aug 1889	6 pounds 5s 	paid 25 May 1889 (41)
21 Aug 1889 to 20 Feb 1890	6 pounds 5s	paid 19 Jun 1890 (80)
21 Feb 1890 to 20 Aug 1890	6 pounds 5s	paid 19 Jun 1890 (80)
21 Aug 1890 to 20 Feb 1891	6 pounds 5s
Forfeited 9 Jun 1891