“Josephine” and “Rose.”

The first two engines in Otago (imported in 1872 for the Dunedin-Port Chalmers Railway) were named “Josephine” and “Rose.” The engine “Josephine,” after a checkered career in both Islands of New Zealand was sold to be broken up, but through the kindness of Messrs. Smellie Bros., of Burnside, it was rescued by the Railway Department and became the property of the Otago Early Settlers Association. This historic locomotive now stands near the Early Settlers Hall, adjacent to Dunedin Railway Station. The engine “Rose” had a short life and was dismantled at Hillside Shops. The engines “Josephine” and “Rose” were built by the Vulcan Foundry Co., Newton le Willows, for Slaughter Grunning & Co. (afterwards the Avonside Engine Co.), of Bristol. The “Josephine” was numbered E24 in Dunedin, which number, however, was altered to E175 when this pioneer engine was removed to Wanganui. The number of the engine “Rose” is not known.