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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Borough Of Oamaru . Oamaru was proclaimed a borough of four wards (afterwards amalgamated), on petition of the residents, on the 3rd of April, 1866, Prior to that date the local governing body was a town board, which had jurisdiction for about three years. Up to 1876, a stream flowing through the town was utilised a source of the water supply; but as this became inadequate, steps were taken to obtain a high pressure service. To this end the ratepayers agreed to a water works scheme, for tapping the celebrated Waitaki river about twenty miles north-west of the town. To carry out the scheme, a large stream, which affords an ample and neverfailing supply for domestic use and motive power for manufacturing purposes, was brought by a water race into a reservoir 372 feet above the level of the town, close to it, and giving a pressure equal to 110 pounds per square inch. The difficulties in connection with the construction of the water-race were very considerable, as it has to cross very wide and deep ravines, in aqueducts, which are in some cases 480 feet in length, and supported upon pillars or trestles varying in height from ninety feet upwards. The total cost of the works was about £140,000. The powerful water supply thus secured is of great service to the volunteer Fire Brigade, and danger from fire is consequently reduced to a minimum. The Borough Council has the control and management of the Public Gardens, which are specially described in another article. The annual ratable value of properties within the borough is £31,809, on which rates to the extent of 2s 9d in the pound are levied. The Corporation also owns the local gas works, which were originally the property of a company, and were acquired by the borough at page 502 a cost of £10,000. There are 340 consumers within the borough, and the streets are lighted by ninety-two lamps. At the census of March, 1901, the population of Oamaru was 4,836; namely, 2,282 males, and 2,554 females.