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

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

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Maerewhenua Diggings , as a district, occupies a number of spurs and terraces on the west bank of the Maerewhenua river, opposite to Livingstone, with which it is connected by a traffic bridge, which was opened in 1902. As a goldmining district Mare-whenua dates from 1872. Since then alluvial mining by sluicing has been continuously carried on, though the water supply is largely dependent on the rainfall. In May, 1903, the Mountain Hut water-race was successfully completed, and was expected to lead to an important increase in the output of gold. The settlement is in the Otekaike riding of the Waitaki county, and in the electorate of Mount Ida, and had a population of 169 at the census of 1901. There is a public school and a large hall, in both of which religious services are periodically held, and there is a post office and telephone bureau in the settlement. Mining is not the only local industry, as sheep and cattle are kept, and crops are raised, throughout the district.