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

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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The Orokonui Home , Waitati, is a Government institution, and was established in April, 1902, as a reformatory for inebriates. It is situated well up the valley, in a quiet, healthy and picturesque spot, nearly two miles from the township, and is approached by a good metal road. The farm 900 acres in extent, is of a broken nature, and possesses some of the finest scenery in the district. Tree-ferns and favourite plants and shrubs grow in great variety on the lower levels, and thick ti-tree and other native bushes clothe the hillsides. An arm of the sea, making its way up the valley, reaches nearly as far as the institution. The main building, or male department, was originally erected as a private school. It is of wood, two stories in height, and possesses about twenty rooms, all well furnished and conveniently appointed. The female retreat, situated some distance off, is a single-storey building, and contains fourteen rooms, also well furnished and well kept. There is a third building, which provides room for further classification. The residence of the medical superintendent is situated a few chains from the men's quarters. A garden of considerable area provides vegetables for the inmates of the institution, and a young orchard, now (1904) making good progress, will soon furnish a supply of fruit. The grounds around the female retreat are particularly attractive, and are kept in good order. There are at present (January, 1904) eighteen patients in the institution; thirteen males and five females.