East of the Rock and Pillar

"East of the Rock and Pillar Ranges lay the enticing land of Moonlight, Middlemarch and Strath Taieri, settled by intrepid pioneers and rugged individualists in the earliest formative years of Otago. Pastoralists, shepherds, runholders, goldseekers, notable characters and early adventurers are all mentioned, and recollections from the early families make these biographical snippets most entertaining. Unlike most histories, the pioneering women have been given due crdit -- from those who washed, dyed, spun and knitted woollen garments for the "menfolk", to the woman doctor who gave medical service to the area for many years. Often a "man sitting on a case of gin and whiskey, with pannikins and a corkscrew, was all the "house" wayfarers could find or expect". The upper and lower townships of Macraes Flat, with a valuable map of the gold claims of that area; a history of inventions and use of different agricultural and pastoral aids; from single horses and bullock carts, to railways and motor vehicles; all possible information has been gathered to give this comprehensive coverage of life in the early settlement ..." -- Inside front cover.