Surveying Central Otago

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30823, 7 August 1965, Page 4

Surveying Central Otago

[Reviewed by I D.B.] Central Otago. N.Z. Geographical Society (Edit. R. G. Lister and R. P. Hargreaves). 195 pp. Central Otago was opened up 100 years ago by goldmining activity, the revenue from which established the pattern of settlement and communications. When earnings from gold declined, agriculture was developed. The centennial year (1961) of the gold rush was the occasion of a symposium of the Otago branch, New Zealand Geographical Society and the lectures in the series have been preserved in this entirely admirable volume of the background of a region that has no close counterpart in New Zealand.

The merit of the volume owes much to R. G. Lister, head of the Geography Department, Otago University, who introduces the general characteristics of the region with a central core based on Alexandra and the alternating ranges and basins. Furthermore, his attractive drawings provide a cover plate and chapter-heading illustrations that truly represent the area in the recollection of all who have passed through or live in “Central.” This artistic work emphasises the value of good line-drawings over photographs, although the selection of the latter has been entirely effective.

J. D. McCraw, a graduate in geology, sees landscapes there differently from most of us, for to him “the distinctive range and valley pattern has been attributed to warping and block faulting of a peneplaned surface that had been wholly or partially covered with Tertiary Sediments. . . .” This is indicative that the treatment in several essays is entirely technical, as also his account of soils. There is immense value herein to scholars and scientists even though many other readers will be perplexed. W. J. Maunder, a climatology specialist, comes closer to human experience in his splendid analysis of data depicting this area’s most distinctive climate—the driest, coldest, hottest in New Zealand. A. F. Mark, a university botanist, has provided the section on the association of vegetation in eight characteristic formations. According to G. J. Williams. Otago University’s Der i of Technology, the geological peculiarities have resulted in an unusual mineral assemblage, but he has, with relief to non-expert readers, been able to indulge in history, which of course in the case of Otago’s gold had to be accorded its rightful place. He finds little hope of securing economically the greater reserve of gold than ever taken out, unless there is some unexpected technological change.

Features more clearly identified with the people of Central come into the story with A. A. Duncan’s account of agriculture and with fruitgrowing as described by W. S. Kemp and D. W. Wilson (all Department of Agriculture officers). The spectacular transformation “since the rabbit” is highly instructive, so also the analysis of problems of transport costs and size of farming units. Probably of necessity, there is in both the agriculture and fruit sections, repetitive description of soils, vegetation and climate, more fully presented earlier. Fruitgrowing in the area producing fourfifths and two-thirds respectively of our apricots and nectarines is shown to be linked with marked advances in unit efficiency although wider use of co-operative arrangements might aid problems of capital outlay.

Central’s pioneer irrigation (70,000 acres) was developed from water systems used earlier in the gold diggings, and A. G. Park, Ministry of Works engineer, has assessed factors in this development of still higher potential. His analysis especially of the Ida Valley Scheme, will serve to educate many vague enthusiasts who seem to think irrigation is merely a matter of pouring water on land and who querulously cry for more of this to be done.

The 210-mile Clutha river produced Otago’s wealth a century ago and L. J. Stenhouse, geographer and school teacher, has provided an impressive account of the value of this river today with its estimated electricity potential of 1.14 million kilowatts. History is also nicely provided in this section with the story of the enterprising local schemes (Roaring Meg, so well known to travellers) and the well-conceived and executed Roxburgh and lake-storage schemes from which so much has subsequently arisen. Finally, and right on the human level, J. Forrest, university geographer, deals with settlement and communication, displaying the results of considerable research in his presentation of morphology and land-use of the towns and settlements.

The volume is provided with a large number of tabulations, maps (by G. A. 11. Kidd), and figures—all of utmost value. These alone tell the story unaided by the text but the reduction in size of much of the lettering on many figures calls for firstclass vision under a bright reading light, or the aid of a hand magnifying glass. Works of reference have been listed by most authors, but regrettably not by all. The value of the book for research scholars would have been enhanced by more extensive bibliographies. It is inexcusable for experts of this assemblage to tolerate any errors. They are probably few and minor, but on p. 179 there is “Omakau in the Ida Valley” and in the table on p.Bl "L.A.F.T.” is designated High Altitude Fescue Tussock.

For what is provided, the price is remarkably cheap but this is not a book for public relations people to hand out to the summer trippers who migrate in droves to Central and the Lakes. It will be regarded by University people and scientists as possibly one of the best productions of the kind yet to be offered in New Zealand and also a further demonstration of the quality of work by the Caxton Press.