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

Round Hill

Round Hill is a portion of the Wallace electorate, and lies within the Orepuki riding of the county of Wallace. The population of the township at the census of 1901 was 178. Round Hill is not far from Colac Bay, and only two miles distant from Wakapatu flag station, on the Orepuki line of railway, and is connected with both places by bush tramways. The settlement took its rise in 1874, when gold was discovered in the locality, by miners from Orepuki. The discoverers took up claims, and secured water rights, but did not appear to be successful. Then some Chinese miners came along, and to these the Europeans sold their rights in the field. The Chinese had not been long at work when it was proved that the Europeans had worked only on a false bottom, beneath which there were large quantities of gold. At one time the population consisted of from 500 to 600 Chinese, of whom, however, only from twenty-five to thirty remain now—1904–5. The best mines consist of some three or four large sluicing and elevating claims. Round Hill township stands on a bluff, on three sides of which the ground has been sluiced away. In the centre of the township there is a Chinese josshouse, which contains some interesting specimens of Chinese handiwork. Round Hill has an hotel, a store, a post office, a public library, and a school.