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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

[Birmingham]

From Cheltenham to Birmingham, eight miles along the Kimbolton Road—the main trunk line of road—and going north-east, the country rises over 100 feet to the mile, in consequence of which the mean temperature lowers considerably, and the air is very bracing. The village of Birmingham—or “Fowlers” as it is known in the Postal Department—is situate along Birmingham Terrace, a bold ridge immediately overhanging the waters of the glistening Oroua River, which winds through the Valley of Oroua some 400 feet below. Having a capital fall, the drainage is excellent, and as a health resort it is unequalled. The chief industries are wool, dairying, and timber. The attractive features, from a tourist's point of view, are the mountain and valley and river scenery, capital bird's-eye views of which are gained from Birmingham Terrace, on which, as already stated, the village stands. The terraces and gulches, valleys and flats, creeks, and the Oroua River, offer special inducement to sportsmen, the lands of the former being dry, and abounding in game, pheasant and quail being plentiful, whilst many good “takes” of heavy trout are daily recorded from the reaches of the river.

The post-office, which is also a telephone bureau, an office for the issue of money orders and postal notes, and a post-office savings bank, is conducted at one of the local stores, mails arriving and closing daily. The township is in the Oroua County, and in the electoral district of Rangitikei. It is also a school district under the Wanganui Education Board. There is a resident minister, the Rev. S. H. D. Perryman, of the Wesleyan denomination.

Birmingham.

Birmingham.