This article is part 4 of 7 in my series on Victorian-Era newspaper engravings from New Zealand. To see the other parts please click here.
Scene on the Maungatua Range, West Taieri (1883)
New Zealand was already living ‘off the sheeps’ back’ by the 1880s, wool providing the single most important export earner. Sheep numbered almost 13 million in 1881, or some 26 animals to every New Zealander. (Today there are approximately 20 sheep per person.) The man in the engraving, presumably checking over some of his newly- shorn sheep, enjoyed few comforts in the simple hut in the background.
Mosgiel Woollen Factory (1875)
The first woollen mill in New Zealand commenced operations in 1871, being promoted by A. J. Burns, a son of the Rev. Thomas Burns, one of the leaders of the Otago settlement of 1848. In November 1873 a joint-stock company was formed to purchase the plant and property of Messrs A. J. Burns & Co., and from that time on traded as the Mosgiel Woollen Factory. In 1875 the mill employed some 80 persons and produced such goods as tweeds, blanketing, plaiding, plaids, shawls, hosiery and knitting yarns.
Otago Graving Dock (1870)
The dock at Port Chalmers, shown here under construction, was officially opened in March 1872. With a length of 91 metres (300 feet) and a width of 12.5 metres (41 feet) on the floor, it was able at the time of its completion to dock the largest vessel visiti New Zealand waters, but by the 1880s was too small, and was subsequently replaced by a larger dock.
Lyttelton Graving Dock (1881)
Commenced in 1879 and completed in 1882, the Lyttelton Graving Dock was 137 metres (450 feet) in length, and thus capable of servicing many of the newer and larger steamers that were then coming into service.