Southland Province


The Southland Province was a province of New Zealand from March 1861, when it split from Otago Province, until 1870, when it rejoined Otago.

History

When provinces were formed in 1853, the southern part of New Zealand belonged to Otago Province. Settlers in Murihiku, the southernmost part of the South Island purchased from Māori in 1853 by Walter Mantell, petitioned the government for separation from Otago. Petitioning started in 1857, and the Province of Southland was proclaimed in 1861. It was named Southland despite the wishes of settlers and Māori, who preferred Murihiku.
The province started to accumulate debt, whereas Otago prospered due to the Central Otago Gold Rush. By the late 1860s, most settlers wanted to become part of the Otago Province again, and this was achieved in 1870.

Area

The province was much smaller than the present day Southland region. The area was bounded by the Mataura River, the Waiau River, and a line from Eyre Peak to Lake Manapouri. Stewart Island was purchased by the Crown in 1863 and added to the area. The capital and largest settlement of Southland Province was Invercargill.

Railways

The Southland Province began a number of railway projects. The branch to Bluff opened on 5 February 1867. It was built to international standard gauge of 1,435 mm, wider than the national gauge of 1,067 mm gauge. When the central government passed legislation setting a single standard for track gauges, the line was converted to the new gauge in a single day, 18 December 1875. The railway later became part of the New Zealand Railways Department.

Anniversary Day

Founded: 1 April 1861
New Zealand law provides an anniversary day for each province.

Superintendents

The Southland Province had three Superintendents:
No.fromtoSuperintendent
13 Aug 1861Nov 1864James Alexander Robertson Menzies
213 Mar 1865Nov 1869John Parkin Taylor
310 Nov 1869Sep 1870William Wood

Legislation