OUR HISTORY: Guyra Law and Order

Guyra Police Station 1907

30th Jul 2024

With the construction of the Northern Railway, a police station was established in South Guyra and a mounted constable was appointment in 1885.
Between 1887 and 1904 a number of rented premises were used for the purposes in both South Guyra and North Guyra. However, by 1904 the need had arisen for a more permanent station due to another constable being attached.
The works Department announced in November 1904 that a sum of 850 pounds has been placed on the estimates for the erection of police buildings in South Guyra. The Guyra Argus, 10 November 1904 stated: “this sum should be ample to replace the present primitive structure with up-to-date premises that will mean a great improvement to the appearance of Guyra”.
In November 1905 a police lock-up and residence for a keeper were constructed at 187 Falconer Street, Guyra. The building consisted of four large residential rooms, hall, kitchen, bath, store, washroom, single officer’s room, two cells, and prisoner’s yard.
Despite the new building, other premises were rented at North Guyra, Guyra Argus January 1907 reported: “Three years ago it was deemed advisable to station a police constable at North Guyra as the population then warranted such an officer residing in the locality. Since then owing, presumably, to the Department having a vacant house near the Courthouse, and to save the rental of the North Guyra police residence, the constable was shifted to the former place, thus leaving the north unprotected. The hoodlum element watches the officials’ departure for the south and frequently, much too frequently, celebrate it by horse-play, fighting and other rowdy displays”
Guyra Argus reports for the establishment of a Lock Up at the North end of the township.
“On a previous occasion efforts were made with this object, but for some reason satisfactory to themselves the authorities would not favorably entertain the proposal. The necessity for such a building has been manifest on many occasions, and during the Show week seven or eight persons for immoderately worshipping at the shrine of Bacchus had to be taken to the police Station, which is about a mile distant. What this means to the police officers needs no elaborate expatiation, but to say the least of it, is a gross injustice to them. We have heard several visitors remark that it was an extraordinary thing that a second building was not provided, and opined that some of the public bodies should take the matter up with determination and vigor.”
By 1930, the Progress Association of the day pressed for a central position near the School in North Guyra. In May 1932 a building at 173 Bradley Street, was leased. This then became the permanent police station and residence for the officer-in charge.
The building also incorporated a general police officer, a sergeant’s office, a strong room, and a portable cell. The building was purchased in 1944 for 700 pounds and it remained the site of the Guyra Police station until 1979 when a new police station was built. The old police station in Bradley Street became the exclusive residence for the officer-in -charge.

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OUR HISTORY: Guyra Law and Order

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