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

The Township Of Nightcaps

The Township Of Nightcaps is situated at an altitude of 635 feet, and commands a view of the distant Princess range, Takitimo mountains, Mount Linton, the rolling downs stretching towards Wairio, and a portion of the Birchwood run. Nightcaps was originally surveyed by the Coal Company, in 1880, and the allotments, when put up by auction, realised fair prices. Before that time the company had been developing the mine, but it was not until 1882 that it commenced to send coal by rail to Invercargill. The output has steadily increased, and the industry has naturally had a beneficial effect on the growth of the settlement, which, at the census of 1901, had a population of 373. The district possesses good pastoral country, rears fat stock for the central markets, and sends away large quantities of grain, wool and coal. Trout abound in the Morley and Aparima. The township is in the Wairio riding of the county of Wallace, and in the electoral district of Wallace. The railway station, which is close to the local coal mine, stands at an elevation of 555 feet above sea level, and is forty-five miles from Invercargill. The line from Nightcaps to Wairio is the property of the Nightcaps Coal Company, but it is worked under arrangement by the Government. A good deal of the township is on high land, particularly where the mine is situated, but to the westward there is a considerable dip in the land, and on the flat below there are a good many dwellings. The country beyond, towards Waiau, consists of fairly level and fertile land. The Opio, Waicola, and Wairio streams run through the Nightcaps district. In the township there are three stores, two saddlers' and two blacksmiths' shops, a bakery, and an hotel. The local post office, which is also a telephone bureau, receives, and despatches, daily mails. Nightcaps is also a sub-police district, with a resident constable. The public school is attended by 113 scholars, on an average, and there is a manse and Presbyterian church, the township being the headquarers of the Wairio-Nightcaps parish of that church. There is also a Methodist church in the township.

The Waiau River, Lake Manapouri.

The Waiau River, Lake Manapouri.