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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Livingstone is a mining and farming settlement on a hill near the east bank of the Maerewhenua river, and not far from the new bridge over that river, opened in 1902, to connect the settlement with the Maerewhenua diggings. It is the nearest township to Danzey's Pass, which leads over the ranges to Naseby in Central Otago, and is in the Otekaike riding of the Waitaki county, and in the Mount Ida electorate. It is said that the township was at first named Ramsayton, after Mr. George Ramsay Taylor, a merchant of Oamaru, but the settlement was renamed in compliment to the great African explorer, Dr. Livingstone. Gold digging in the district began in June, 1869, and since then alluvial mining by sluicing has been steadily carried on, as far as the water has allowed. At the census of 1901 the population of Livingstone village and vicinity was 187. Sheep-farming and some cropping and dairying are carried on in the district, and the Island Cliff creamery, six miles distant, is available for milk suppliers. The Athenæ Hall at Livingstone has seating accommodation for 200 persons. It was ereated in 1894, and divine services are held there, and also periodically in the public school. Livingstone has two stores, a butchery, an accommodation house, and a hotel from which the license has been withdrawn. There is also a local post office and telephone bureau. Livingstone Hill is twelve miles distant from Duntroon.