The bathing belles (pictured) sunning themselves at the Ashburton Domain pool in 1922, appear blithefully unaware of the controversy surrounding the condition of the pool at the time; although perhaps they were instead dreaming of a frolic in clear, hygienic, safe waters rather than the murky, unsafe condition of the pool on offer.

The deteriorating pool

The construction of the Ashburton Domain’s swimming pool was considered a welcome opportunity for locals to enjoy what the Guardian described in 1899 as a “refreshing plunge into a copious pool of clear running water after a day’s baking and powdering by a nor’wester”.

By the 1920s however, the pool was the object of a plethora of complaints.

The pool’s earth construction, which had been considered adequate when a portion of the Ashburton Domain watercourse was dammed for the purpose in 1889, was eventually deemed to be a health and safety risk.

Water for bathing purposes was diverted from a nearby water race, which given the drought-like conditions that were sometimes present in summer months, rendered the pool unusable.

In 1921 the local swimming club lodged a complaint with the Borough Council, stating that potential divers were likely to encounter a “violent collision” with the pool’s bottom, due to the lack of water.

The pool was also full of accumulated mud and a green slimy water growth.

This combination created an unpleasant odour in warm weather and was inhabited by a water pest that caused inflamed skin and discomfort to those who had the temerity to enter the waters.

Unsafe conditions

The murkiness created by the pool’s muddy bottom subjected several hapless swimmers to severe injury, including a diver who struck a discarded kerosine can, another gashing their leg on a broken bottle, and others risking impalement on sharp sticks and branches.

Adequate pool supervision was also an ongoing concern in the 1920s, with several bathers brought before the Magistrate’s Court for swimming during prohibited hours.

As mixed-sex bathing was banned, there was consternation when males lingered long after their allotted pool time and the females were left waiting for them to leave, delaying their enjoyment of the pool.

It was alleged also that the lack of privacy had encouraged some persons to spy on women bathers and that many children bathed without supervision.

It is not surprising, given the numerous concerns, that the purpose-built, concrete swimming facilities available in local schools received increasing patronage.

When water sampled from the Ashburton Domain swimming pool in 1948 showed unacceptably high bacteria levels, the pool was finally closed.

If you would like to learn more about the Ashburton Domain’s varied history, come to the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum to see our latest special museum exhibition Domain Tales: 160 Years of the Ashburton Domain.

This exhibition explores the domain’s history from when it was first laid out on survey maps in 1863, to how it stands today.

The exhibition is open now and will close on November 3.