Difference between revisions of "Oamaru"
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On the west and south-west the country rises to rolling downs and, in about 15–20 miles, to the slopes of the Kakanui Range. On the north the land gradually opens out to terraces and flats of the lower Waitaki Valley. An artificial harbour, protected by a breakwater extending northward from the bluff of Cape Wanbrow, provides port facilities. The Christchurch-Dunedin Main Highway and the South Island Main Trunk railway pass through the town. | On the west and south-west the country rises to rolling downs and, in about 15–20 miles, to the slopes of the Kakanui Range. On the north the land gradually opens out to terraces and flats of the lower Waitaki Valley. An artificial harbour, protected by a breakwater extending northward from the bluff of Cape Wanbrow, provides port facilities. The Christchurch-Dunedin Main Highway and the South Island Main Trunk railway pass through the town. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==History== | ||
| + | ===Port=== | ||
| + | Oamaru began to develop as a town and port in the early 1860s. Construction of the breakwater commenced in 1871 and, by 1884, there was a safe artificial harbour. During 1884 the ship Dunedin (which earlier had sailed from Port Chalmers with the first frozen meat from New Zealand) loaded a cargo of frozen mutton at Oamaru for London. | ||
| + | ===Rail=== | ||
| + | Railway construction commenced in the early 1870s. The railway between Waitaki South and Oamaru was opened on 27 September 1875. On 1 February 1877 this section was extended to Makikihi, where it linked up with the line from Christchurch. Oamaru was joined to Dunedin by rail on 7 September 1878. The branch lines inland contributed much to the development of the district. The Pukeuri Junction – Kurow branch was opened to Hakataramea (Canterbury) on 1 April 1885. In 1930 the Kurow-Hakataramea portion was closed. Since 1947 this branch has carried goods traffic only. A branch railway from Waiareka was opened to Ngapara on 1 April 1877 and a lateral from Windsor to Tokarahi on 8 July 1887. The Windsor-Tokarahi portion was closed on 14 July 1930. With the exception of the Waiareka-Taylors Siding (limeworks) portion, the Ngapara branch was closed on 12 July 1959. | ||
| + | ===Status=== | ||
| + | In 1861 Oamaru became a town in terms of an Otago Provincial Government ordinance. In 1866 it was constituted a borough. In 1989 the Oamaru Borough was merged with the Waitaki County to become the Waitaki District, of which Oamaru is the principle town. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | [http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/O/Oamaru/Oamaru/en|An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand] | ||
Revision as of 11:42, May 3, 2008
Oamaru is a town on the coast of North Otago, New Zealand.
On the west and south-west the country rises to rolling downs and, in about 15–20 miles, to the slopes of the Kakanui Range. On the north the land gradually opens out to terraces and flats of the lower Waitaki Valley. An artificial harbour, protected by a breakwater extending northward from the bluff of Cape Wanbrow, provides port facilities. The Christchurch-Dunedin Main Highway and the South Island Main Trunk railway pass through the town.
History
Port
Oamaru began to develop as a town and port in the early 1860s. Construction of the breakwater commenced in 1871 and, by 1884, there was a safe artificial harbour. During 1884 the ship Dunedin (which earlier had sailed from Port Chalmers with the first frozen meat from New Zealand) loaded a cargo of frozen mutton at Oamaru for London.
Rail
Railway construction commenced in the early 1870s. The railway between Waitaki South and Oamaru was opened on 27 September 1875. On 1 February 1877 this section was extended to Makikihi, where it linked up with the line from Christchurch. Oamaru was joined to Dunedin by rail on 7 September 1878. The branch lines inland contributed much to the development of the district. The Pukeuri Junction – Kurow branch was opened to Hakataramea (Canterbury) on 1 April 1885. In 1930 the Kurow-Hakataramea portion was closed. Since 1947 this branch has carried goods traffic only. A branch railway from Waiareka was opened to Ngapara on 1 April 1877 and a lateral from Windsor to Tokarahi on 8 July 1887. The Windsor-Tokarahi portion was closed on 14 July 1930. With the exception of the Waiareka-Taylors Siding (limeworks) portion, the Ngapara branch was closed on 12 July 1959.
Status
In 1861 Oamaru became a town in terms of an Otago Provincial Government ordinance. In 1866 it was constituted a borough. In 1989 the Oamaru Borough was merged with the Waitaki County to become the Waitaki District, of which Oamaru is the principle town.