By Roselyn Fauth
Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18384, 1 October 1929, Page 3 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THD19291001.2.13
I went looking for a tree and a mysterious pole on the Benvenue Cliffs... and on the hunting journey I found a traffic argument. This particular side quest led to the Bay viaduct and a debate over whether motor vehicles should be allowed to use it...
By 1932, the entrance had been closed to traffic. The closure was supported by Timaru’s traffic inspector, who believed it had made the area easier to manage and safer for pedestrians. Visiting motorists had apparently praised the alternative approach through Virtue Avenue, while trade vehicles were already allowed limited access from Strathallan Street in the mornings.
but, not everyone was convinced. Some councillors wanted the viaduct reopened. It provided a more direct route to Caroline Bay, particularly for people travelling from the south end of town or attending dances and events at the Bay.
The Caroline Bay Association objected. So did other community groups. Letters appeared in the newspaper and the disagreement moved into the council chamber.
At the centre of the discussion were “women and children”.
They were the people most often described as being in danger, particularly from motorists approaching the viaduct at speed. Councillor A. Kennedy admitted that the site was dangerous, possibly the most dangerous place in Timaru, but argued that better traffic control could make it safe.
The traffic inspector took a more straightforward view. Closing the entrance to vehicles had removed the problem. Reopening it would bring the danger back.
It is an interesting argument, partly because of who is missing... women and children were walking through this space. Their safety was being used to justify decisions about how Caroline Bay should be reached and who should have priority.
But in the surviving report, no woman is named or quoted. We hear from councillors, inspectors, motorists and associations. We hear plenty about women., yet be don't hear from them.
This may be the real story hiding inside the traffic debate?
The absence of women from the published viaduct debate could easily give the impression that women were not involved in Timaru’s civic affairs, but I dont think this is true.
The Timaru Herald carried a report headed “Women Citizens’ Association” on 11 June 1932, only weeks after the viaduct controversy. Later that year, Timaru’s National Council of Women brought together representatives from the Women Citizens’ Association, Women Teachers’ Association, Trained Nurses’ Association, YWCA, Mothers’ Union, WCTU, Woodbury Women’s Institute and Timaru High School Old Girls’ Association.
Earlier reports give us actual names. In 1930 the Women Citizens’ Association officers included:
Mrs C. E. Shallcrass, president
Mrs Stockwell, honorary secretary
Mrs Kemshed and Mrs Hardcastle, vice-presidents
Mesdames McCann, Stewart, Trott, Huston, Toynbee and Bowie
Miss McIver
By 1931, Mrs C. A. Paterson was presiding, while a newspaper letter about women in politics was signed by Beatrice Paterson, president of the Timaru Women Citizens’ Association. We need to establish whether Mrs C. A. Paterson and Beatrice Paterson were the same woman rather than assume it.
This is important, as it means organised women were studying and commenting on civic matters in Timaru at exactly the time men in the council chamber were claiming to understand what was safest for “women and children”.
So the question has shifted slightly, and its not so much why did women not speak?, its more were women speaking somewhere else, while the newspaper’s council report recorded only the men?
Women had already been consulted about Caroline Bay
An especially useful lead appears in the 1923 mayoral campaign. A candidate discussed improved policing and lighting at Caroline Bay and invited the Women Citizens’ Association to suggest how Timaru’s ladies’ rest room might be made more useful, particularly for young mothers.
That does not connect the association directly to the 1932 viaduct dispute. It does show, however, that women’s organised opinion had previously been sought on public facilities, mothers’ needs and conditions around Caroline Bay.
The next task is to search the association’s meeting reports from April and May 1932. The viaduct might appear under broader headings such as: pedestrian safety, traffic control, Caroline Bay, public amenities, mothers and children, borough affairs.
Looking towards the sea near Timaru (1871-1875). Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 17/04/2025, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23692 Low quality image. For further information on use of low quality scans and on how to order a high quality image please see conditions of use.
Looking towards the sea near Timaru (1871-1875). Hocken Digital Collections, accessed 17/04/2025, https://hocken.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/23692 Low quality image. For further information on use of low quality scans and on how to order a high quality image please see conditions of use.
Caroline Bay in 1890. Crowd on the beach at Caroline Bay, Timaru, circa 1890. Bathing machines are by the surf. Perhaps this is the stream at the left. Photograph taken by William Ferrier. - National Library. Tiaki Reference Number: PAColl-4746-02
New Zealand - Timaru - Caroline Bay - 1940’s - Fyfe photo - Photo Postcard Format #t443
1927 Timaru from the air - Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections FDM-0690-G - Creative Commons Licence: Attribution CC BY
c. 1975 view of Maori Hill and Caroline Bay, Timaru Main School SCM 2018064.023