Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Hampden is a pleasantly situated borough on the main line of railway, twenty-one miles south of Oamaru, and fifty-seven miles north from Dunedin, and is in the county of Waikouaiti. The district was at one time thickly covered with native bush, but the timber proved to be so valuable for building and fencing that very little of the bush now remains. There is a population of between three and four hundred in the borough which has a post, telegraph and money-order office; a District High School; four churches—Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Anglican and Church of Christ; an Athenaeum; a good hotel and several boardinghouses; and also a branch bank. A courthouse and borough council chambers are among the more recent buildings. Hampden, as a progressive borough, has done much to beautify the district, and bathing sheds have been erected on the beach for the free use of residents and visitors. There are good roads for cycling, and the pleasant little port of Moeraki, four miles distant, may be reached by road or the sea beach. Hampden is built on rising ground, and commands a good view of the neighbouring country and of the sea.