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

Otapiri Gorge

Otapiri Gorge.

Otapiri is a portion of the Hokonui district, and the local public school and post office bear the name of Otapiri Gorge. The chief industry of the settlers is farming, but there are some sawmills at work in the bush portions of the district. Otapiri Gorge, where the post office is situated, is at the mouth of a long, narrow valley, just at the point where it opens out towards the Hokonuis. This valley, through which the Otapiri stream runs, has been occupied by settlers since the early eighties. The Otapiri Gorge school is not more than four miles from Centre Bush, and is attended by about thirty-five children. The flag station named Otapiri is on the Invercargill. Hedgehope line, eight miles from Winton, twenty-seven from Invercargill, and six from Hedgehope; and stands at an elevation of of 203 feet above the level of the sea. The settlement is in the Winton riding of the county of Southland. At the census of 1901, the population under the heading of Otapiri was twenty-four; Otapiri Gorge, seventy-six; Otapiri Flat, sixty-two; and Otapiri Downs, twenty-two.

The Otapiri Gorge Post Office is conducted at the residence of Mr William Baird, farmer, and weekly mails are despatched to, and received from, Invercargill.

Mr. William Baird , who acts as Postmaster at Otapiri Gorge, holds 384 acres of land near the mouth of the Gorge. He took up this farm about 1886, and has since then greatly improved it. Mr Baird was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1861, and came out to New Zealand with his mother by the ship “City of Dunedin” in 1863, his father having arrived by the ship “Lady Egidia” during the preceding year. He was educated at Invercargill, and worked on his father's farm until taking up land on his own account at Benmore. This he sold in 1886, and acquired his present holding at Otapiri Gorge. Mr Baird was a Government land valuer during 1901–2; and he has been a member of the Otapiri Gorge school committee since its inception. At one time he competed in wrestling, hammer throwing, stone-putting and vaulting, at sports held in various parts of Southland. Mr Baird was married, in 1881, to a daughter of Mr Peter Bryce, of Benmore, and has two sons and nine daughters.

The Otapiri Public School was built in 1900, and consists of a small wood and iron building with one classroom and porch, situated about four miles from Centre Bush. There is accommodation for about forty pupils, and in 1904 there were thirty-five names on the roll. A small residence for the teacher adjoins the school.

Miss Agnes Gray , Headmistress of the Otapiri Public School, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland. She was educated at the Lower Shotover, Otago, where she afterwards served a pupil-teachership. Miss Gray was in charge of the Chatton road school for four years, and was mistress at Skippers for eighteen months. She was appointed to her present position on the opening of the Otapiri school in 1900. Miss Gray holds an E2 certificate.

Miss A. Gray.

Miss A. Gray.

The Otapiri Gorge Sawmill (Southland Timber Company, proprietors), Otapiri Gorge. This mill was started in 1902, and is working on private property. The plant includes an eight horse-power portable engine, two benches, a planing machine, and a crosscut saw for boxwork. Twelve persons are employed, and the daily output of timber is about 3,000 feet. The timber is carted by road to the Centre Bush railway station, about five miles distant.

Mr. William Dryden , Manager of the Otapiri Gorge Sawmill, was born in Dunedin in 1865, and started sawmilling on leaving school. After working at his trade in various capacities, he was appointed to his present position in 1902. Mr Dryden has been for some time a member of the Otapiri Gorge school committee. He was married, in 1888, to a daughter of the late Mr Joseph Smith, of Invercargill, and has three sons and one daughter.

Shuttleworth, Robert Henry , Farmer, Otapiri Gorge. Mr Shuttleworth was born in Lancashire, England, in 1871, and came out to New Zealand when quite a lad, with his parents, who settled at Heathcote, near Christchurch. Mr Shuttleworth first took up land in the Lintley Village Settlement, and in September, 1900, he acquired his present farm of 335 acres in the Otapiri district, where he carries on mixed farming. He is also a contractor for the carting of timber from the Otapiri sawmill to the Centre Bush railway station. Mr Shuttleworth was married, in 1903, to a daughter of Mr E. Matthews, of Benmore, and has one son.

Gerstenkorn, photo. Mr. And Mrs R. H. Shuttleworth And Child.

Gerstenkorn, photo.
Mr. And Mrs R. H. Shuttleworth And Child.