Ashburton Borough Centenary/The Domain

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In the laying out of the town in 1863, the surveyor, Robert Park, had set aside Reserve 308 of 72 acres for recreational purposes and it was called “The Grange,” Reserve for Public Gardens and Recreation. It stretched from the gullies between the West and North Town Belts to the Main South Road. It was later added to and the hospital block of 12 acres taken out of it. Originally the control was by a Domain Board appointed by the Governor. The hospital block was taken in 1880. On October 31, 1881, the Domain Board could not afford to build a dam for swimming baths and asked the Council for funds, but nothing was done till 1882 when the Council suggested taking over the Domain from an “irresponsible” Domain Board. Nothing much happened till the end of 1888 when Council agreed to take over control at the request of the Domain Board.

In spite of various requests for a swimming bath, matters were left till 1889 when the staff was offered control of all the reserves outside the Domain instead. It was decided to shift the King Edward gates to the hospital entrance to the Domain.

In 1938, W. Thomas was engaged to draw up plans for a new Curator’s Lodge and a rock and water garden planned behind the Band Rotunda. D. H. Leigh was appointed Curator. The Ashburton Tennis Club’s pavilion was burned down and W. Thomas was also asked to draw up plans for a proposed Canterbury Centennial Swimming Pool. The Woolston Brass Band gave a concert on the island on March 19, 1939. Twelve more acres of sports ground were prepared. Fifty cherry trees were planted, half along West Street and half behind the pavilion. Several white swans were donated for the lakes. Donations of bulbs were invited and 14,000 were received.

In 1941, motor traffic was allowed into the Domain and in June, D. H. Leigh went on active service. E. J. Spicer was appointed acting Curator, and Mr H. P. Clayton resigned after 29 years’ service, 21 of them as Curator. It was decided to put heavy gauge netting round the Dr. Miller Memorial Children’s Playground. Mr Spicer retired after 32 years’ service. A large glasshouse was donated by E. Buchanan in 1946, and ​very generous donations of plants by A. Clark. Men were very hard to get. D. H. Leigh accepted a position as Curator at Nelson. A. F. Morgan became the next Curator in Ashburton and the new lodge was built near the hospital.

Samples of water from the baths proved to have too high a bacterial content and the Director of Health in Timaru advised that they should be closed at the end of 1948. The old camping ground was as popular as ever. Children were always riding over the grass and damaging edges of the flower beds and constant protests went to the schools.

The first apprentice, D. Collins began work in the Domain in 1951, and at the completion of his apprenticeship, was succeeded by Mr G. Gunn. Two Bailey bridges were erected across the Domain pond for the Royal Visit in July, 1953, but by February, 1954, the pavilion was described as a disgrace inside and out. The tennis courts were moved to Oak Grove for the 1956/7 season and the two clubs united.

Adequate Water Supply

In later years emphasis was placed on an adequate supply of water in the summer season and the purchasing of equipment that would cover bigger areas in lawn-mowing or would make maintenance work easier. The Domain staff had to maintain all the town reserves as well as attend to pruning and growing plants for changing seasons. The Domain was a beauty spot for the town, praised for its layout and colouring, very popular for picnics, the venue for matches against visiting teams on the Oval. More ground was levelled, more cricket pitches, football and hockey grounds laid out. The macrocarpa hedges were removed and club pavilions erected. High pressure water and sewerage were laid on and electric light for night practice.

Mr I. F. Bonisch succeeded Mr Morgan in 1960 and is still in charge. In 1965, the new aviary, constructed by the Round Table, was handed over in April, and proved very popular. Donations of finches, doves, lovebirds were given. The Round Table also donated a tractor to be used in the new playground opposite the aviary, and in 1968, they constructed a children’s fort ​

​combined with a slide; added a Bofors gun, a 4-seater swing and a separate slide.

The old Band Rotunda was repaved and seats put in, in 1972, but its former glory was gone. It was made safe for children and seats were set in. A viewing site was made in West Street from where people could look into the Domain and buses could stop. The athletic track was upgraded because athletics have taken on a new lease of life in Ashburton in recent years. The paddling pool continues to be very popular in summer. The duck population has grown enormously and their numbers are causing embarrassment to the authorities. An addition to the Domain recently has been the skateboard track—a gift from the Kiwanis Club of Ashburton. A paddling pool in the new children’s playground is at present being constructed by the Rotary Club of Ashburton as a Centennial project.

It is little wonder the Domain, with its colourful displays and sporting facilities, is so popular. A plan for a new pavilion is currently under way in this Centennial year. The Domain is a monument to the conscientious effort and care of the Curators down through the years.