Down the years in the Maniototo

"Surrounded on all sides by rugged mountains characteristic of the Otago ranges, the broad treeless spaces, "good, blue tussock", and invigorating climate of the Maniototo Plains fascinated the early settlers. Getting to the interior was very difficult in early days -- newcomers had first to become explorers and find a way, and then put the roads through themselves! In this informative history the first runholders are named, their holdings mapped, the stocks and pastures established detailed. The author writes of the early explorers and surveyors to the district, noting the curious names -- Eweburn, Pigburn, Houndburn, that resulted from a fit of pique when the Maori place names originally suggested were rejected as "hard to pronounce". While the first gold finds were pronounced undesirable by the Free Church and therefore not publicised, the benefits of gold soon became apparent and the customary rush that followed brought tremendous wealth to the area -- its effects and influence on the development of the Maniototo have been noted. The growth of Naseby, Ranfurly, Hyde and other surrounding townships; gay balls held in the Old Victorian Hall, Naseby, where moisture would squirt through the floorboards in time to the dancers' footsteps; the first sermon in Naseby preached from a pedestal in front of a billiard table. A delightfully humourous and factual llook at the extensive Maniototo district, complete with many early photographs." -- Inside front cover.