Pourakino Valley and District History

24/04/2025

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

21/02/2025

Good afternoon folks!

This photo of a group of Granity School pupils -with whom is presumably their teacher in the background has been sent to me by Lisl Prendergast.

This was in a box of photos given to her by a cousin -whom is connected with the Hannan family.

From my brief research on Papers Past and eHive there were members of the Hannan family whom worked at More's Mill.

Can anyone identify any of the children or the teacher?
Year is unknown.

Many thanks!

24/09/2024

Can anyone help? 🤔

Ōtautau Railway Station History - from early days to pre-removal and after restoration: Photo 1 - Donated by Maria Eade, Public Domain Image Photo 2 - Kindly gifted to early Ōtautau history book project, copyright to the late Ron Eden (taken 1987) and used with permission. Photos 3 - 5 Engraved ma...

04/07/2023

Fantastic work Andre, Faye and Royden! ❤❤❤

Words of quilted comfort to convalescing soldiers during WW1 from the good people of Otautau have been returned to the town more than a century after they were dispatched.

31/07/2022

"Mike Carran: The Story Behind A Mighty Axeman" will be launched on Saturday August 13th 2022 at The Thornbury Vintage Museum.
Copies will be available throughout Southland at "Paper Plus" stores.

The late legend of New Zealand bushcraft has been honoured in a fresh biography.

30/03/2022

Our "hidden" gem! 🙂

https://www.facebook.com/southlandapp/photos/a.371260429974/10151472011504975/?type=3

The Longwoods: Discovering Southland’s hidden gem. https://southlandapp.nz/news/news/the-longwoods-discovering-southlands-hidden-gem?id=62425121ec443c11af53339d

18/02/2022

Morning folks!

Follow this link for some fascinating photos and items to explore amongst the collection held at Te Hikoi in Riverton!

It is the responsibility of the eHive Account Holder to gain copyright clearance for any images or content published on eHive. If you are concerned about the copyright status for any content in eHive or would like more information on using or ordering copies of content, please contact the Account Ho...

01/01/2022

30/09/2021

WITH more than five years dedicated to researching the early history of Otautau and surrounds, historian, archivist and researcher Suzie Best is keen to hear from people who have any information about the area.

Best was still deep in the research process for her book — Between River & Stream: Tale of a Town that Shouldn’t Have Been (First 50 Years of Otautau — Book 1), Bush Tracks & Bullocks and was keen to hear from families who had descended from the earliest settlers in the township.

These included the Campbell, Cassels, Dodds, Lawson, Lynch, McDonald, McIvor, Newsome, Price, Quin, Small, Smith, Tilyard and Walker families.

She was particularly interested in family stories, photographs of people and the area, and early maps.

So far, she had at least 25 thick folders full of information.

Part of reason to write the book was to help preserve the important early history of the area, she said.

It was while working at the Otautau Museum about five years ago when she was inspired to take on the enterprise.

“People kept asking about the early history… but I noticed what was written didn’t correlate with what I knew.

“It evolved from there… with me going back to the early records to find out.”

She also hoped the book would be used as a resource for people to use and build their own knowledge base and add their own personal stories to.

Subjects varied from pre-European to pioneer settlers, first run holders and stations to towns and trades, religions, healthcare, education and recreation.

Best also acknowledged Murray and Gaye Campbell who had offered to edit the book.

“Murray was also a descendent of the first people to build a residential house in Otautau.”

She hoped pre-orders for her book would be available mid-2022 with publication to coincide with the 150 years of Otautau township celebrations being organised by Otautau Promotions for December next year.

Proceeds from book sales would go to historical groups and institutions which also preserved the early history of Western Southland, such as Waiau Library, Otautau Museum and Riverton’s Te Hikoi Museum, she said.

Having gleaned so much information, Best hoped to produce a second volume, which would focus on residents and railways.

Best can be contacted via email – [email protected] or by phoning 027 211 4675.

WITH more than five years dedicated to researching the early history of Otautau and surrounds, historian, archivist and researcher Suzie Best is keen to hear from people who have any information about the area. Best was still deep in the research process for her book — Between River & Stream: Tale...