New Zealander, Volume 4, Issue 264, 9 December 1848
Steam Flour Mill.On Thursday last, a considerable number of gentlemen interested in the success of this beneficial factory, attended to witness the laying of its foundation stone; a ceremony which was perfouned with all due honours by Mr. FitzGerald, who, named the embryo structure the "Dangar Mill," and deposited in a niche prepared for its reception, a stone bottle containing several pieces of the silver coin of the reign of her present Majesty, Queen Victona : together with a vellum roll, on winch the following inscription was engrossed -
"This Stone was laid on the 7th day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight, by Robt. A. FitzGerald, Esq., as the Foundation Stone of the first Steam Flour Mill erected in Auckland, through the spirited enterprise of Henry Dangar, Esq., M.L.C, of the colony of New South Wales: and in the 4th year of the Administration of this Government by His Excellency Sir George Grey K.C.B. Govevnor-in-Chief of the Islands of New Zealand. Major-General George Dean Pitt, Commanding the Forces, Lieutenant-Governor of this Province of New Ulster. Signed by Walter Robfirion, Architect; Greenwood & Vercoe, Builders; and James Dodds, Managing Dnector."The mortar having been artistically spread, and the stone accurately plumbed, the party proceeded to partake of a cold refection, prepared by the worthy Mamging Director, Mr. Dodds , and to pour forth libations to the prosperity, and orations in eulogy, of the "Dangar Mill" and its enterprising projector, Mr. Dangar of Neotsfield, New South Wales, a very worthy gentleman, of general intelligence, and sound common sense.
The viands were in characteristic keeping with the occasion, consisting, amongst others, of some most excellent preserved stewed beef, from Mr. Dangar's Newcastle cuisine, and some mutton hams of first-rate quality and flavour; so good, indeed, as completely to redeem that commodity from the reproach it has hitherto very deservedly acquired. We can honestly commend both to the attention of our housekeepers — the one as a capital dinner dish, the other as an excellent relish at the breakfast table.
The workmen were as liberally regaled without as the visiters were within; and it would be hard to tell, judging by the cheers, which party most enjoyed themselves.
New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 507, 22 February 1851
The "Dangar" Steam-Power Flour Mill. — We have much pleasure in stating that Mr. Dangar's Mill in Official Bay (the foundation stone of which was laid on the 7th of December, 1848) has at length been finished, and commenced working on Wednesday last, with a steam-engine of fourteen horse power. We had the gratification yesterday of inspecting its several arrangements, and seeing for ourselves its completeness in all its parts. The Mill is strongly constructed, lofty, and capacious, and reflects much credit on Mr. Robertson, the Architect, Mr. Greenwood, the Builder, and Mr. McLeod, by whom the engine, &c , were erected With the exception of the steam apparatus, the whole is formed from New Zpalwnd materials. This is a step towards the advancement of the Colony, the value of which is too obvious to need proof. To the producers of wheat, Europeans and Natives, the Mill will afford a ready and convenient market, which we trust will incite them to increased effort in the cultivation of that profitable and all-important crop; - while to the consumers, the result to be anticipated from the combined industry of the growers and the manufacturer will be to render us less and less dependent for a supply of flour on the neighbouring colonies, where droughts and consequent failures of the grain crops (from which we are happily exempted here) so frequently raise prices, as we are painfully feeling in that sensitive part the pocket just now, when we are buying bread at an advance of fifty per cent, on the price paid for it during the winter months. Indeed there is is no reason why we should not expect after a little time to export flour in their scarce seasons to those colonies from which we now receive it. The practical details of the manufacture in "The Dangar Mill" are under the efficient superintendence of Mr. Dodds as Manager; and we need only add our best wishes for the prosperity of the undertaking, and our earnest hope that it will abundantly repay the outlay and enterprise of the spirited proprietor.
New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 547, 12 July 1851
We had pleasure at the time in announcing the completion of the "Dangar Steam Flour Mill" and in giving some description of its adaptation for the purposes of its erection. We have lately with regret seen it unoccupied at a season when the grinding of wheat here was of peculiar importance and urgency. We now learn with gratification that it is likely to be soon again in operation, as it has been taken by Mr. Oackford, for the last twelve months employed as a practical miller here. The contract we believe is for a term of three years, at a rental of £300 per annum. We confidently expect, and we sincerely hope, that the undertaking may prove equally remunerative to Mr. Oackford, and beneficial to the neighbourhood.Steam requires fuel, and firewood for the mill was put out to tender: New Zealander, Volume 7, Issue 548, 16 July 1851
STEAM FLOUR MILL.David Snodgrass took over at the mill: Daily Southern Cross, Volume VIII, Issue 522, 29 June 1852, Page 1
TENDERS will be received at the "Danger Steam Mill" until Saturday next, the 18th instant, for the supply of Tea-Tree, Puriri, and Pohutekawa FIREWOOD, in quantities of not less than Twenty Tons, for the ensuing three months - to be delivered on the Mill Wharf. Charles Oakford.
AUCKLAND STEAM MILL.
THE Undersigned having taken the Steam Mill in Official Bay, begs to inform the Public and Settlers in the vicinity of Auckland that he will be prepared to grind Wheat in any quantities after the sth of July. Wheat will be received immediately at the Mill, and stored free of charge.
David Snodgrass. June 29, 1852.
N.B. — D. S. will, guarantee to giind any quantity of wheat, as there is now an ample supply of water at the Mill.
Frederick William Fletcher arrived in Auckland in 1853, and seems to have immediately taken over management of the mill - perhaps he had been explicitly brought out to the colony to do so, since he arrived with 5 millstones in his luggage!
The mill hit some financial difficulties: Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIII, Issue 954, 19 August 1856
NOTICE. THE Public is hereby informed that all contracts, cheques, receipts and other matters made and given from this time in connection with my Steam Flour Mill business hitherto, under the management of Mr. F. W. Fletcher, will require the joint signatures of the said F. W. Fletcher and the accountant and cashier Mr. P. S. Solomon, in order that they may be binding. All others will not be recognized. (Signed) Henry Dangar. Sydney, August 8, 1856.New Zealander, Volume 12, Issue 1081, 27 August 1856
AUCKLAND STEAM FLOUR MILL
PARTIES indebted to the above Mill are requested to call and make arrangements for the discharge or gradual liquidation of their accounts.
Their attention is particularly called to this notice, as proceedings will be taken, after fourteen days from this date, for the recovery of all debts for the settlement of which no arrangements have been made. (Signed) F. W. Fletcher, P. S. Solomon. August 22, 1856.
It was located in Official Bay New Zealander, Volume 12, Issue 1114, 20 December 1856
TO DRAYMEN
IF the drayman who carted thirteen bags of Wheat from the Steam Mill in Official Bay, in January last, will call on Mr. Fletcher, at the Mill Office, he will be rewarded. F. W. Fletcher. Auckland, Dec. 19, 1856.
The building was later used to house a tobacco factory Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1855, 27 May 1884
N.Z. TOBACCO GROWING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
The Company's tobacco manufactory is the extensive fourstoreyed building, on the Beach-road, Official Bay, formerly known as Dangar's mill.
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