Scott's Gap is partly in the Waiau, and partly in the Wairio, riding of the county of Wallace. The population of the district in the former riding was fifty-three, page 967 and, in the latter, fifty-five at the census of 1901; and the entire district is in the Wallace electorate. It is said that the name of the settlement is derived from a pioneer pastoralist named Scott, who pitched his tent on the timbered ranges of the Longwood, between Island Bush and Waicola Bush. This gap in the hill has since been utilised as the route of a road to the settlement of Feldwick; a continuation of the lower Scott's Gap road, which diverges from the Otautau to Merrivale road, about two miles and a-half from the Scott's Gap post office. Aparima is three miles and a-half distant, and Otautau over seven miles. The country was used in the early seventies as a sheep run, and was subdivided for closer settlement about the year 1882. There are several education reserves in the district, which are leased to local farmers, many of whom also hold freeholds or deferred - payment sections. The country is flat and undulating, and there is still a good deal of bush on the hills at the back of many of the homesteads. A flaxmill was established in the district in 1903. Scott's Gap hFas a public hall; and the public school, which was established in 1889, had an average attendance of twenty-two children in 1904. The local post office is conducted at the homestead of Mr J. G. Paterson, and dates from 1892; two mails are received, and despatched, every week. The district has had a telephone service since, January, 1902.

The Scott's Gap Post Office was opened in 1892, and telephone communication was established in June, 1902. Mails are received, and despatched, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The business of the post office is conducted at the residence of Mr J. G. Paterson.

Mr. James Gilchrist Paterson , Postmaster at Scott's Gap, was born at Campsie, Scotland, in 1863, and was brought to Port Chalmers, by his parents, in the same year. He was educated near Cromwell, Central Otago, and brought up to farming by his stepfather—his own father having died shortly after his arrival in New Zealand. Mr Paterson afterwards removed to Southland, where he farmed for some years in partnership with Mr William Todd, under the style of Paterson and Todd. In 1899, he settled at Scott's Gap, where he purchased 302 acres of freehold land, of which over 260 acres were in swamp and tussocks. About 200 acres are now in cultivation, and the property is worked as a mixed farm. Mr Paterson has beea a member of the Scott's Gap hall committee since 1902, and he is also chairman of the Scott's Gap school committee. He was married, in 1897, to a daughter of the late Mr Edward Clothier, of Eyreton, North Canterbury, and has three sons and one daughter.

Mr. And Mrs J. G. Paterson.

Dickson, John , Farmer, “Underwood,” Scott's Gap. “Underwood” comprises 447 acres of leasehold, and sixty acres of freehold, and, in addition, there are seventy-seven acres held under a short lease. Mr Dickson was born in 1860, in County Tyrone, Ireland, where he was brought up to farming by his father, with whom he worked till three years before leaving for New Zealand. Mr Dickson arrived at Port Chalmers in 1885, and settled at Wairio, where he worked for some years. In 1890, he commenced farming at Scott's Gap. His land was then in its native state, but about 360 acres have since been brought into cultivation. Mr Dickson has been a member of the Scott's Gap school committee since 1890, and has been chairman for some years. He was married, in 1886, to a daughter of the late Mr Robert Liggertt, of Wairio. His wife died, in March, 1901, leaving six sons and two daughters.

McKay, Murdock , Farmer, Scott's Gap. Mr McKay was born in Ross-shire, Scotland, in 1868. He was brought to the colony as an infant, by his parents, was educated at Wild Bush and Gummies Bush, and was brought up to farming in the Riverton district. In 1895, Mr McKay took up 168 acres of freehold at Scott's Gap. The property was then only partially improved, but has since been brought into a state of good cultivation. Mr McKay served as a volunteer in the Riverton Rifles for ten years, and has been for some years on the Scott's Gap school committee. He is secretary of the Scott's Gap hall committee, and of the local branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Mr McKay was married, in 1895, to a daughter of Mr John McInerney, a very old Invercargill resident, and has two sons and one daughter.