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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Wairio
Wairio is a portion of the Wairio riding of the county of Southland. At the census of 1901, the riding had a total population of 1,443. At the same time the population of the village and neighbourhood was 271, to which should be added forty-four near Woodlaw railway station, and forty-seven at Opio. The railway from Otautau to Nightcaps passes through the district, and the flag station is forty-three miles distant from Invercargill, and 420 feet above the level of the sea. There is also a second station, about one mile nearer Otautau, known as Woodlaw. The main road from Otautau to Nightcaps passes through the district, which is watered by the Opio, Waicola, and Wairio streams, all tributaries of the Aparima river. A large property in the vicinity of Wairio, long known as Waicola estate, has been cut up for closer settlement. The local school stands at the corner of the Otautau, Nightcaps, and Scott's Gap roads, and had an average attendance of forty-five children in 1904. The township of Wairio adjoins the railway station, and may be said to occupy a central position, between the settlements of Scott's Gap and Wrey's Bush; and the southern boundary is the line of hundred which separates the district from Aparima. The township of Nightcaps was originally included in the Wairio district. Wairio has a Presbyterian church, a hall, an hotel, and a store, at which the business of the post office and telegraph departments is conducted. The settlement is twelve miles from Otautau, five miles from Aparima, six miles from Scott's Gap, and five miles from Wrey's Bush.