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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
[introduction]
Owing To Its Central Position in the county of Wallace, Otautau became the county town some years ago, when the offices were removed from Riverton. The Riverton-Nightcaps railway runs through the district, and the local station, which is also a post and telephone office, is thirty-two miles from Invercargill, and stands at an elevation of 128 feet above the level of the sea. Otautau is a town district in the Otautau riding of the county of Wallace, and in the electorate of the same name. At the census of 1901, it had a population of 443, with 197 inhabitants in the vicinity; while at Bayswater and Ringway, two estates which have been subdivided for closer settlement, there were ninety-three and forty-eight respectively. Part of the district surrounding Otautau is in the Waiau riding, and the population of that portion was sixty, while Otautau Bush, which is in the Aparima riding, had a population of sixty-four. The township is on the western bank of the Aparima river, which is crossed by a bridge about a mile distant; and the road leads beyond to Bayswater, Heddon Bush, Drummond and Winton. Otautau creek runs through the centre of the town, and is spanned by a substantial bridge. The township is occasionally visited by floods. A very large and prosperous farming community surrounds Otautau; a number of sawmills, flaxmills and a flourmill are at work in the district, and an up-to-date creamery is in operation. The Town Board has effected many improvements in streets and footpaths. As the railway station at Otautau is the nearest to the celebrated Waiau caves and river, Otautau is the stopping place for visitors to that interesting district, which is reached by coaches. Otautau has three churches, three hotels, a Town Hall, Masonic and Oddfellows' Lodges, a good many substantial business premises, and a public school.