Invercargill—most southern city

Press, 13 July 1984, Page 18

Invercargill—most southern city

New Zealand’s most southern city, Invercargill, developed as a centre for the rich Southland plains to the north and west. Originally settled by Scottish people, it still retains some of that Scottish outlook. Invercargill became a city in 1930, and has steadily grown to a population of more than 50,000. It has never stopped serving the prosperous farming community, but the manufacturing industry is of developing importance. The guide books list many unusual features in Inver-

cargill — broad streets, large parklands, fine old brick buildings, such as the water tower and the First Church, and the Scottish heritage, which is evident in the city streets named after Scottish rivers.

Although it is the most southern city in the British Common wealth, Invercargill does not suffer from extremes in climate. It is on the even seasonal distribu-

tion of rainfall that the high productivity of fanning and industry is based.

The Southland Museum and Art Gallery is near the entrance to Queens Park. Included among its wide range of exhibits is the Victorian Gallery containing items of interest from the early days of the province, a collection of Maori exhibits, an observatory and a

Tuatarium — the only place in New Zealand where tuataras can be seen in a closely simulated native environment. Directly in front of the museum lie some specimens of the Curio Bay Petrified Forest area.

Anderson Park is a 24ha reserve 7km north of the city. The late Sir Robert and Lady Anderson’s magnificent home is now the city art gallery, surrounded by

extensive lawns, gardens and native bush.

Bluff is the port of Southland, 27km from InvercarSA 37ha island has been t in the harbour to provide berths, including an allweather package loader berth. Bluff is also the headquarters of a number of fleets which ply the Southern and West Coast for fish, crayfish and the succulent Foveaux Strait oysters.