THE DEVIL’S POOL

Southland Times, Issue 19100, 19 November 1923, Page 5

THE DEVIL’S POOL

A DANGEROUS PLACE RECENT DROWNING FATALITY FINDING OF CORONER’S INQUEST. The circumstances surrounding the death of Charles James, 16 years of age, who was drowned in the Devil’s Pool on the Waihopai River about mid-day Sunday week, were inquired into by the Coroner, Mr George Cruickshank, S.M., at an inquest held in the Courthouse on Saturday morning. Senior-Sergeant Scandrett conducted the care on behalf of the Police. Robert Matthew Strang, merchant of Invercargill, said that in his opinion the Devil’s Pool, which he knew well, was quite unsafe except to experienced swimmers. His reasons for such an opinion were that there was a sudden drop, the waters were deep and that the swimmer was thrown ■into deep water without any warning thus causing an inexperienced swimmer to become flustered and thus get himself into difficulties. The colour of the water also tended to make the pool dangerous and prevented anyone being able to see the bottom. The water was also very cold. He considered that the Pool was a menace and unless measures were taken to ensure safety it would continue to take its toll of human life. While the Pool was in its present condition he there should be absolutely prohibited. The authorities should see that means to minimise the danger were provided. One suggestion was the provision of wire ropes above the surface of the water. He had no personal knowledge of the present unfortunate accident, but from the reports it appeared that the boys, on making the return journey, became exhausted with the result that one boy was drowned. He thought there should also be poles placed in the Pool to show the varying depths of water. While there were no other bathing places available, he considered it would be a hardship to close the Pool, but, nevertheless, the authorities should afford adequate protection. The hurrying on of the erection of the tepid baths would minimise the risk of accidents, but if the authorities made the pool safe in the meantime bathing could be allowed to continue.

Henry Rubber, caretaker of the Waihopai Reserve for the Invercargill Corporation, testified that he knew the pool well. It was outside of the reserve area altogether and was bounded by a road on one side and the reserve on the other. He considered the Pool as safe as any other pool in the district. It was not the discolouration of the water itself, but owing to the dark nature of the river bed that the depth could not be gauged. On various occasions he had warned people against swimming in the Pool, owing to the coldness of the water. At low tide the greatest depth of water in the Pool would be 8 feet and at spring tides about 5 feet above that level. He believed that the suggestions contained in Mr Strand’s evidence would have a tendency to make the Pool safer for bathing purposes.

Fred William James, father of the deceased, said his late son, Charles Sutherland James, was 16 years of age and was attending the Technical School. He had never seen his son actually swimming, but understood that he was a fair swimmer. The boy had frequently bathed in the Waihopai, but not in this particular Pool. Personally be (witness) had never bathed in the Pool, but he considered that the deep portions could be filled in with rock so that the water could bo made even depth. Mr Strang’s suggestions were, in his opinion, very good ones. He considered that when an accident happened the police should immediately summon medical help. He was not blaming anyone on this occasion, because it would have done no good as the boy was past all help. William George 'West said he met the two James boys shortly after 11 o’clock on the morning of November 11. He had previously gone swimming with the two boys in the Waihopai, but not in the Devil’s Pool until this occasion. Though they were not good swimmers, he considered they could swim in the Devil’s Pool without any danger. Witness did not consider the water extremely cold that morning. He had been across the Pool and coming back when he met the two James’s about half-way across. W’itness continued on and when near the shore attempted to walk ashore, but found that he was unable to do so. He sank and then struggled to the surface, eventually getting into shallow water exhausted. He turned round and saw that the James boys were swimming rather close together, he thought, which tended to tire them before they reached the other bank. Before they reached there they were struggling and appeared to be in difficulties. Witness called for the lifebelt and for help, but before going far he found that he could not go on as he was exhausted. Witness left the belt in the water. Maitland then appeared on the scene, and taking off his boots end coat, jumped in. AC this time only one boy could be seen, the other, deceased, being out of sight. Maitland picked up the belt and placed it over William James just as he was sinking. Maitland took James to the opposite bank. A man, named Pickford, then appeared, and while Maitland was bringing William James back across to the bathing shed by carrying him through shallow water, Pickford dived in to locate Charles James. Maitland then went to assist Pickford. He considered that the boys unduly taxed themselves by swimming too close together and not giving themselves a chance. Witness did not consider that any of them were overheated when they went into the water.

Eric A. Allan, who was with the party but did not enter the water as he could not swim, said he had heard the evidence given by the previous witnesses and was quite true.

William Henry James, a brother of the deceased, said that when they entered the water they were not hot, nor was the water particularly cold. He had bathed in the Pool twice last season. He did not consider that the fact of his brother and himself swimming close together retarded their progress. They expected the water to be shallow on nearing the opposite hank and attempted to touch the bottom, but went under. He did not remember anything after that until he got back on to the bank. He could not say what happened to his brother, but in witness’s opinion he was competent to swim across the Pool. Probably his brother had become seized with cramp. Witness could not have reached the bank without assistance after he had failed to get ashore by walking. He believed that the wire cables suggested by Mr Strang would have prevented the accident.

Albert .Stanley Maitland stated that he was sitting on the bank of the river last Sunday week and was about to get up and go away when he heard cries for help. Witness divested himself of his coat and boots, and swimming out half-way, picked up the lifebelt and pushed it towards William James, who was the only boy visible. Witness took him ashore on the opposite bank and then swam back. Pickford then came to assist witness and began to dive. The water appeared to be cold. He thought Mr Strang’s suggestions were good ones,

The Coroner commended witness for his promptitude in going to the rescue. Constable Matthews gave evidence as to the finding of the body. He considered that a boat was essential at the Pool in case of accidents. Mr Strang’s suggestions would help to minimse the risk of the bathers getting into difficulties. In returning an open verdict that deceased was drowned whilst bathing in the Waihopai River on November 11, the Coroner (Mr Cruickshank) said that the evidence showed clearly that there should be something done to protect the bathers using the Pool, as in its present condition it was dangerous. He certainly thought that the suggestions made should h*e adopted and then the Pool would be comparatively safe.

The Coroner commended Maitland for the promptitude with which he had gone to the rescue of William James.