Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

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

Winton

Winton is a picturesque township situated on the Invercargill-Kingston railway and on the great north road leading to Lake Wakatipu, and is surrounded by undulatin country, at one time covered with bush. It is said to have been named after a man of that name, who was the first, or amongst the first, to drive stock across the country. The first portion of the township was surveyed, in 1862, and further extended in 1863. The upset price of quarter-acre sections was £16, but was reduced on the third survey, some years later, to £8 per section. At the end of 1863, the first sod of the railway line from Invercargill was turned, and the work prosecuted with vigour until April, 1864, when it was suddenly stopped, and caused from 150 to 200 men employed at the Winton end to be thrown out of employment. This was a great blow to Winton, especially as the work of construction was not resumed again for seven years. At this period the Provincial Government of Southland became bankrupt, and was politically re-united to Otago. However, when the railway was completed from the Bluff to Winton, in 1871, the town and district again became thriving. Then there page 982 was another change, for, with the introduction of the public works policy of Sir Julius Vogel, the railway was extended to Lake Wakatipu, which reduced Winton from the status of a terminus to a side station, and its fortune fell once more. Nevertheless, Winton's progress has been sure, though slow, and with natural vitality, as well as surrounding country not to be surpassed in New Zealand, it cannot fail to become in time a town of considerable importance. About 1876, Winton was created a municipality, and Mr T. McWilliam, one of the oldest residents, was first mayor, and held the office for three years in succession. A considerable revenue is derived from town reserves, with which, together with rates, material improvement has been effected in footpaths, streets and drainage. Winton has three or four churches, several public halls, hotels, a branch of the Bank of New Zealand, several large stores, a flourishing flour mill, and a meat and rabbit-preserving establishment. The local industries include sawmilling, brick and tile manufacturing, and a well-appointed modern dairy factory. Winton railway station and post office combined stands at an altitude of 160 feet above the sea level; the flag railway station at Gap Road, one mile nearer Invercargill, is 147 feet above the sea. Monthly stock sales are held in Winton at the yards of the local Sale Yards Company. To the westward of the borough flows the Oreti, beyond which are the agricultural settlements of Oreti Plains, Drummond and Heddon Bush. To the eastward is the farming district of North Forest Hill, and the branch line of railway to Hedgehope—thirteen miles distant. Winton creek, a tributary of the Oreti, flows through the borough. There are four river boards in the district; namely, Winton, West Winton, Upper Winton and Lochiel; and these bodies have their offices in the borough. Some of the best wheat-growing country in Southland surrounds Winton, and a fine stretch of limestone formation extends from Forest Hill to Centre Bush. Winton has a Government District High School and a Roman Catholic denominational school.

Winton In 1897.

Winton In 1897.