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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Long Bush , as the name of the district, is said to have originated with the waggoners who, in the old days, travelled from Dunedin to Invercargill, and used the term as an indication of the length and weariness of the journey. The main southern railway line passes through the district, which has now only a flag statton, though there was at one time a stationmaster: Long Bush is nine miles distant by road and rail from Invercargill, and the flag station stands at an elevation of eighty-eight feet above sea level. Part of the district is in the Waihopai, and part in the Awarua, riding of the county of Southland. The population of the township, at the census of 1901, was 124, and there were twenty-six in the vicinity, all in the Waihopai riding; while that portion of the township which lies in the Awarua riding had a population of ninety-one, and forty-eight additional in the vicinity. The whole district is in the Awarua electorate. Long Bush district has sawmills, extensive brick and tile works, and a flaxmill. The public school stands off the main road, and the local post office, formerly conducted at the railway station, is now under the charge of a postmistress. Much of the original native bush has been cleared away from the land, which is generally level, and in a high state of cultivation. The timber yard at the railway station is connected by a tramway with the Long Bush sawmill, three miles distant.