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

Scott's Gap

Scott's Gap is partly in the Waiau, and partly in the Wairio, riding of the county of Wallace. The population of the district in the former riding was fifty-three, page 967 and, in the latter, fifty-five at the census of 1901; and the entire district is in the Wallace electorate. It is said that the name of the settlement is derived from a pioneer pastoralist named Scott, who pitched his tent on the timbered ranges of the Longwood, between Island Bush and Waicola Bush. This gap in the hill has since been utilised as the route of a road to the settlement of Feldwick; a continuation of the lower Scott's Gap road, which diverges from the Otautau to Merrivale road, about two miles and a-half from the Scott's Gap post office. Aparima is three miles and a-half distant, and Otautau over seven miles. The country was used in the early seventies as a sheep run, and was subdivided for closer settlement about the year 1882. There are several education reserves in the district, which are leased to local farmers, many of whom also hold freeholds or deferred - payment sections. The country is flat and undulating, and there is still a good deal of bush on the hills at the back of many of the homesteads. A flaxmill was established in the district in 1903. Scott's Gap hFas a public hall; and the public school, which was established in 1889, had an average attendance of twenty-two children in 1904. The local post office is conducted at the homestead of Mr J. G. Paterson, and dates from 1892; two mails are received, and despatched, every week. The district has had a telephone service since, January, 1902.