Bathing in the Victorian Era - Tauranga

The Redoubt, Tauranga
Real photo postcard by Henry Winkelmann, Tourist Series 932
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 0761/10

Daybreak in Colonel Ward’s house and the sound of his bugle floated over the surrounding streets. Was it a call to arms! No, he was issuing a summons to his friends to join him in an early morning dip in the harbour (or so the story goes). Only his male friends though, as in the late 1890s it wasn’t deemed acceptable for men and women to be seen bathing together. By 1881 there were complaints (maybe from the ladies) about the unfairness of gentlemen being able to enjoy themselves splashing about in the water but not so the ladies. Maybe, they pondered, bathing boxes could be considered.

In October 1881 the editor of the Bay of Plenty Times commented, “that with the bathing season approaching some people were already turning up each morning on the beach below Captain Tunks’ house or round by the Redoubt.” It was definitely time to look at building a properly kept bath house handy to town where people could enjoy the healthy benefits of sea water without worrying about stingrays and sharks. By 1883 a bathing wharf had been built by public subscription, on the beach near the Redoubt. To keep the gentlemen safe from nosy sharks it was decided that an enclosure should be added. Alas, owing to the lack of privacy there were still no ladies allowed.

Heggarty's Bathing Pavilion, c. late 1880s
Detail from large format print “Tauranga from the Redoubt”, unidentifed photographer
Image courtesy of Tauranga Heritage Collection, Ref. 0607/08

In January 1885 Mr. Haggerty, who had a small boatyard at the Redoubt end of the Strand, unveiled his bathing pavilion, a square platform with a small circular tent at each corner of the platform. It was constructed to float in and out with the tide and was attached to a mooring in deep water. There was also a running rope passing through a ring bolt and round a windlass on the beach. At last privacy for the ladies!

In 1885 the Tauranga Improvement Company called for tenders for the building of a bathing enclosure at Tunks Point, at the eastern end of 1^st Avenue. Until the baths were completed people continued to offend Victorian sensibilities by bathing at public beaches during daylight hours. Finally in December 1885 the baths were opened by the mayor Mr. R. C. Jordan. Gentlemen were allowed during the hours of 6am – 9am, 12noon – 2pm and 5pm – 7pm when a blue flag was flying. The ladies’ hours were 9am – 12 noon and 2pm – 5pm when a red flag was flying, later changed to white.

Tauranga Public Salt-water Baths. Rules and Regulations
The Bay of Plenty Times, 23 March 1910, Courtesy of PapersPast

The new baths consisted of the pavilion containing eight comfortable changing rooms with a large enclosure in front of them. This had been built so that even at low tide some sort of bathing was possible. Races were held on opening day but once again nothing for the ladies. On 18 March 1886 the Bay of Plenty Times reported that a red and blue flag were flying at the same time at the Bathing Pavilion. A mistake or someone having a bit of fun, I wonder?

By October 1886 a ladder had been erected against the enclosure’s wall so that on a low tide bathers could enjoy a swim on the outside. One gentleman wrote to the paper to let it be known how horrified he was to see men that he’d known and respected for years making a spectacle of themselves by going up and down the ladder. On Dec 23 1889 the caretaker at the Bathing Pavilion saw two sharks, 12 and 6 feet long, playing about in the shallow water close to the enclosure. Maybe the ladder wasn’t such a good idea.

Baths and Railway Bridge, Tauranga, c1940s-1950s
Real photo postcard by National Publicity Studios, 4968
Courtesy of Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. 99-1291

Unfortunately the baths turned out to be a financial loss for the Tauranga Improvement Company and in 1892 the Borough Council took them over for the sum of 100 pounds. The Council struggled with their upkeep and by 1919 the baths were in a poor state. By 1930 only the dressing sheds and one lonely post in the harbour remained. With the advent of new baths being opened at Memorial Park and Greerton the old 1^st Avenue ones were finally demolished in 1958.

References

Tauranga 1882 – 1982, A.C. Bellamy (ed.)
Papers Past Bay of Plenty Times 18 Mar 1886 and Oct 1886

The Railway Opening Celebrations

Part of Tauranga, taken from the Redoubt, on the day of the Railway opening
Real photo postcard-format print by unidentified photographer
Collection of Justine Neal

March 28^th 1928 dawned bright and sunny and Mr. B.C. Robbins, Secretary of the Railways Celebrations Committee, must have breathed a sigh of relief, as all the months of planning for the big day were about to come to fruition. Apart from the large numbers of local and upcountry residents expected there was an impressive official party including the Prime Minister, the Right Honourable J.G. Coates, arriving by train from Hamilton at 11 am. Months had gone into arranging a programme that would have something for everyone and leave people with memories of an entertaining and exciting day.

All vehicle access would be stopped on the Strand from the Triangle to Harington Street from 9 am to 11 pm. The Strand was to be decorated with coloured streamers and brightly lit electric lamps. All launches along the waterfront were to be lit up, as well as many of the public and private buildings. The fountain near the old wharf was to be set going again. Swimming sports were to be held under electric lights and a concert party would be performing.

Band playing at the opening of the railway, Tauranga, 1928
Copy print by unidentified photographer
Courtesy of Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. Photo 00-412

The Tauranga Band, the Te Puke Band and the Judea Maori String band had all offered their services. School children would be given a holiday and children from Waihi to Taneatua were to have free train travel to Tauranga. Tickets for the celebratory luncheon were to be sold prior to the event. Children had to bring their own lunches, although hot water, milk and fruit would be provided.

A hangi was to be put down on Devonport Road. Local Maori were to give haka and poi dance exhibitions at the Domain. There would also be stalls there and in the afternoon children’s sports were to be held, with 10 pounds allocated for prizes. The Borough Council had been requested to arrange free picture entertainment for the children at the Town Hall. The public were asked to wear fancy dress with a prize for the best dressed lady and gentleman. There would be a procession of decorated lorries, cars, bicycles, motorbikes and horse drawn vehicles with prizes for the best decorated.

The Strand, Tauranga, from the Redoubt on railway opening day, 1928
Copy print by unidentified photographer
Courtesy of Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. Photo 00-469

The Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club had arranged a race, which would be for the seven-footers only, because of the limited time available. The Tauranga Cycle Club would hold three races during the day. There would be a sprint, a longer race starting at the Tauranga Hotel, along the Strand, then Devonport Road, First Avenue and Cameron Road turning at Eleventh Avenue and back to the starting point. The third race would be an obstacle course, and trophies would be awarded for each race.

Last but not least several sportsmen visiting Tuhua were to be asked to bring swordfish and mako over to Tauranga. These were to be kept in a freezer and on the day of the opening to be brought out and placed on exhibition. Maybe not such a good idea!

Reference

Papers Past, Bay of Plenty Times, March 1928

Life at the East End of Elizabeth Street

Aerial view of downtown Tauranga, date unknown
Tauranga City Libraries, Pae Korokī Ref. 03-225

When this photo[1] was taken, possibly from one of the aeroplanes that sheltered in the large hangar built on the edge of the Tauranga Moana foreshore[2], and certainly earlier than the date suggested by Pae Koroki, Elizabeth Street had been “bitumenised” and – judging by the large structures to the south – thoroughly integrated into the urban life of Tauranga.

But Elizabeth Street[3] was once one of the fringier parts of town. In 1921 it was a useful boundary marker for rating purposes[4], bisected, as today, only by Devonport and Cameron Roads.  Elizabeth still terminates the ambitions of Grey, Durham and Selwyn Streets in “T” intersections.  (Elizabeth Street itself ran from harbourside cliffs at the eastern end to the town dump near the Waikaraeo estuary.  The dump has now gone and the street connects with Takitimu Drive.)  

Occasional small businesses would be located there – dressmakers (Miss Jessie Smith, Miss Munro), a builder, a fibrous plaster works (H S Riggir), even some music teachers (E. Florence Whitlock, Miss Pearl Moffat).  By 1936 it was included in the Borough’s “Business Area” for rubbish collection[5] - just as well, since the “Mt Pleasant Hospital” had been established at 4 Elizabeth St in 1933.  This did not garner much attention as a clinical facility[6] but it certainly served as a maternity home until mid-way through World War Two[7].  After that, the Mount Pleasant boarding house did duty for the passers-through and respectably low-waged until it vanishes from the records, although not living memory[8].

“Dilston”, the substantial house on the left of the zig-zag path to the beach, was under construction in 1882[9].  This was to be the long-term residence of some notable Tauranga families:  William McKenzie Commons, who served for a single one-year term as Mayor of Tauranga, and the Norrises, whose story is told elsewhere[10].  In due course it became “Mount Pleasant”.  Before that happened, a (nearly) anonymous 1925 advertisement of accommodation available on Elizabeth Street offers “five bedrooms, two sleeping porches, every possible modern convenience, suit two or more small families, adults preferred. £2 per week - Colinoris”[11].

Properties were substantial in those days.  In the oral history recorded by Jinty Rorke for Pae Korokī, Nan Garrity (née Norris) recalls that the house was “Right on the waterfront where the big flats are now… [it] went right down to the high tide mark.”  When Commons offered the place to let in 1907, it was described as consisting of “house, gardens, orchard and paddock”[12].

And it took a lot of upkeep.  By 1909[13], a “certificated cookery teacher” was offering, at Dilston, a “high and healthy situation” under new management  - a “Comfortable home for Permanent Boarders or Visitors” with a good table, bath and piano, all at “moderate” terms.  Mrs Commons, in February 1907[14], had already had a clearance sale[15].  Presumably the table, bath and piano were passed in at auction.

Clearance Sale [Advertisement], Bay of Plenty Times, 15 February 1907
Courtesy of Papers Past

It is a large thing to reflect, as a recent arrival[16] at the site now known as Elizabeth Heights - 8 (originally, number 4) Elizabeth Street - on the vast quantities of furniture that must have come and gone from this small part of town over the 140 years of its pākeha occupation.  The area itself, once so high, wide and expansive, has become more and more urbanized, concentrated and, well, lived in.

View from Elizabeth Street, 7 March 2023
Photograph by Beth Bowden

This March 2023 snapshot offers a tiny viewshaft through to the railway bridge, a glimpse on the extreme right of the 1960’s structure known as Elizabeth Heights, and a view over the more recent infill housing built along the Dilston cliff and down to where the aero club’s hangar used to be.  The Tauranga Yacht Club, visible at foreground right in the first image, remains in place, repurposed as the Harbourside Restaurant; everything else, except the streets themselves, perhaps the concrete boat ramps and of course the bridge, has been replaced.  Your writer is now dedicated to closer examination of, and research into, surviving elements of Elizabeth Street life in the Tauranga of the twenty-first century.

A note of correction (posted 20 Jun 2023)

The last paragraph of this blog makes an erroneous reference to the “infill housing built ... down to where the aero club’s hangar used to be.”  I misinterpreted the 1932 Bay of Plenty Times article’s reference to the “[aero] club section at the foot of Elizabeth Street” as meaning the foot of the eastern cliff.  As is reasonably well-known, the aero club’s headquarters was at the western end of the street, conveniently adjacent to the low-tide sandflats of the Waikareao estuary.

So a little more thought, and a consultation with fellow THS member John Green, would have told me that the large building on the eastern foreshore was not a hangar at all. In fact it was Alf Wallings’ workshop.  Alf initially used it as a depot for his business as a roading and logging contractor. At the time this photo was taken – John Green suggests, the very early 1960s – its lower level was a garage for Alf’s truck and cars. The Walling house can be seen directly above the workshop, on the site now occupied by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council building. The top floor of Alf’s commodious structure was being used by Moller Industries Ltd to manufacture their still-famous Power Pony garden tractors. The outside ramp between the street and Moller’s factory is visible in the photograph.

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[1] https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/14113

[2] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19321115.2.28

[3] This arterial crossway was formed in 1883 by Mr Hamilton and his plough https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT18830222.2.6.1 , and named after the wife of the first native-born Taurangian to be elected Mayor, https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19360922.2.17 .

[4]  https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19210117.2.14

[5] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19360905.2.35.3

[6] See Dr Paul Mountfort’s account of the development of Norfolk Hospital in Tauranga (1953-2007) https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/6739

[7] Advertisements for “Mount Pleasant” vanish from the Bay of Plenty Times after April 1934, but see https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19431124.2.3.1 .

[8] Personal conversation, 24 January 2023, between the writer and one of the staff of NZ Movers, who recalled moving the boarding house furniture out of the property before demolition to make way for Elizabeth Heights’ construction.

[9] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT18821117.2.7

[10] Julie Green, Tauranga Historical Society, Norris family blogs published10 June 2022 and 15 July 2022  and https://paekoroki.tauranga.govt.nz/nodes/view/66044 .  I am indebted to Fiona Kean of the TCC Heritage Collection for the Pae Koroki links cited here.

[11] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19250910.2.2.6

[12] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19070222.2.50.2

[13] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19090702.2.44.2

[14] https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19070215.2.46.2

[15] Another such took place as the Norrises vacated: https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BOPT19190813.2.4

[16] The writer helped move her husband’s household in over 24-25 January 2023