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

[introduction]

A prominent feature of the landscape, as seen from many an inland hill in Southland, is the rocky headland which guards the entrance to the harbour named the Bluff. As the sea-borne traveller views this dome-shaped peninsula from the deck of a steamer, and observes that it is almost barren of vegetation, he is not particularly impressed with the beauty of the country which he is nearing. Fortunately, the nature of the headland is no index to the general character of New Zealand. The harbour is noted for its safety from all points and has the advantage of the majority of New Zealand harbours, in having no bar. There is a clear fairway from Foveaux Strait right up to the Bluff wharf. The depth of the water is sufficient to admit with safety the largest liners that visit the colony, and the lower anchorage is fairly secure from the winds, and has excellent holding ground. The Bluff Hill rises to 800 feet above the sea level, and on the top there is a signal station where watch is kept from sunrise to sunset. On the north side of the hill is the lowlying land, on which stands the borough of Campbelltown. A very fine walk of about two miles in length has been constructed round the promontory, and the noble sea views from various points include Dog Island, Ruapuke, Stewart Island and Central Island; and some of the finest ferns in the colony grow on the banks of the road. One of the most important industries at the Bluff is the oyster and fishing trade, in which a considerable number of fishing smacks and men are engaged. Large quantities of fish are shipped in a frozen condition to the Australian markets, and there is also a considerable business in curing and smoking. There are oyster farms which, during the season, send large consignments to all parts of the colony, as well as to Australia. Close to the head of the wharf, there are extensive freezing works belonging to the Southland Meat Export Company, which despatches heavy shipments of frozen mutton by the ocean liners that visit the port. In the town there are three general stores, the same number of drapers' shops, bootmakers' shops, and butchers' shops, two bakers' shops, two engineering establishments, and a foundry. For the accommodation of travellers there are four hotels, in addition to private boarding houses. The noteworthy buildings include the post office with its tower and town clock with cathedral chimes, completed on the 21st of December. 1900; a handsome modern two-storey railway station, and a number of very fine grain stores; and the town also has a telephone exchange, a customs-house, police office, magistrate's court, and a stock inspector's office. There are five churches-namely, Anglican, Presbyterian, Primitive Methodist, Roman Catholic, and Plymouth Brethren. The public school, which was established in the sixties, has an average attendance of 250 scholars, and there is a denominational school belonging to the Roman Catholics. An Athenaeum, Drill Hall and Sailors' Rest are also in full operation. In respect to the volunteers, the Bluff has a corps of Guards and a company of cadets. A regatta is held yearly on the 2nd of January, when the port is crowded with visitors from Invercargill and other parts of Southland. Bluff is the seaport of Invercargill, and stands second to Dunedin and fifth in the list for New Zealand with respect to the value of its exports. The town is the terminus of the Hurunui-Bluff section of New Zealand railways, and is seventeen miles from Invercargill. It is in the electoral districtof Awarua, and in the Awarua riding of the county of Southland. At the census of 1901 there was a population of 1350, an increase of 275 from the previous census. The Bluff is the first and last port of call for steamers to and from Hobart and Melbourne.