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

Share:

Duntroon is the name of a picturesque township on the south side of the Waitaki Valley. The main road between Oamaru and Kurow runs through the settlement, as also the Oamaru-Duntroon-Hakataramea branch line of railway. Duntroon is in the Otekaike riding of the Waitaki county and in the Mount Ida electorate. The population of the settlement and vicinity at the census of 1901 was 231; this is altogether apart from the Maerewhenua settlement, which occupies the flat and hills just over the railway traffic bridge spanning the Maerewhenua river. This settlement is in the Awamoko riding of the Waitaki county, and at the same census had a population of 119. There is a railway station and post office combined at Duntroon, which is twenty-eight miles from Oamaru, and 446 feet above sea level. The buildings in the township occupy a terrace overlooking the Waitaki river flats, which extend for a full mile towards that river. Duntroon possesses Anglican and Presbyterian churches, and a Defence Hall, which is the largest building in the township. This hall was erected in 1902 by local subscriptions, money obtained by a bazaar, and a pound for pound subsidy from the Government. It is under the control of the volunteer authorities, the local corps being named the Duntroon Rifles; and the hall is used for drill purposes as well as for public meetings and entertainments. A portion of the hall is occupied as a public library, which was first established in 1887, and was originally kept at the local school. Duntroon has two publichouses, two stores, besides bootmakers' and tailors' shops, and a bakery and butchery. There are two blacksmiths in the district, and a creamery, which adjoins the Maerewhenua flag station on the opposite side of the river from the township. Fortnightly sales of stock are held in the local saleyards. There is an agency of the National Bank, which is attended by that bank's Kurow manager, every Friday. Duntroon is the centre of a rich agricultural and pastoral district, and is remarkable for its dry and bracing climate. The water of the Maerewhenua river is discoloured by the mining operations carried on at Livingstone, and the Maerewhenua diggings.