Secrets remain locked in mystery safe - for now

Sunil Kumar is curious about a safe at his restaurant on Wharf Street and what treasures it might contain. Photo / John Borren

The contents of an old safe recently uncovered in a Wharf St restaurant remain a secret despite two locksmiths trying to crack it.

The old Thomas Skidmore & Son Safe, embedded in a wall in the main dining area at the Curry Hut, was discovered about two weeks ago after a couple dining in the restaurant noticed it.

Curry Hut owner Sunil Kumar said he hoped a pot of gold was stored in the safe because the building once housed a jewellery shop but he was not holding his breath.

He thought the safe, which was painted the same orange as the walls in the restaurant, was an artwork and had not taken any notice of it until an English couple recognised the emblem on the front and insisted it could be 100 years old.

It would be great if there was some gold in it but knowing jewellers it would probably be completely empty once they left.

Landlord Coralie Rose

Mr Kumar questioned the previous owner about the safe but they also knew nothing about it.

He had discovered the body of the safe in a storage cupboard, under the stairs behind a wall.

"I Googled it and if it's original and not a replica, it is very unique."

Curiosity got the better of Mr Kumar and he called a locksmith to open it but they needed more tools to do the job. He has decided to open it later.

"If there is something in there that is good."

But now he was busy trying to authenticate the safe.

Landlord Coralie Rose, who has owned the building for more than two years, was excited to learn of the discovery when the Bay of Plenty Times contacted her.

"It's wonderful and I am very excited to know the history about it. It would be great if there was some gold in it but knowing jewellers it would probably be completely empty once they left."

Tauranga City information services librarian Debbie McCauley said in 1934 it appeared that the business was Clinkard & Co Seeds and Flowers.

It looked like Jack Fenn had his business, Fenn's Jewellers in the same building, where businesses had come and gone.