Recognition for Central Otago landmarks

27 February 2009

Recognition for Central Otago landmarks

Two heritage landmarks well known to travellers heading to Central Otago have received national recognition with the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT).

Gabriel’s Gully and Butler’s Farm were last week afforded Category I registrations by the NZHPT Board, reflecting the ‘special or outstanding’ historical and cultural heritage significance and value of the sites.

Gabriel’s Gully was the site of the first major gold find in Otago that led to the gold rushes of the early 1860s which transformed the province, making it the wealthiest in New Zealand for a time. Dunedin became the largest city in New Zealand, and the influx of miners pushed the South Island’s population ahead of the North.

NZHPT Area Manager for Otago/Southland, Owen Graham praised the support for the registration received from the Department of Conservation, as manager of Gabriel’s Gully Historic Reserve, and from Clutha District Council.

“The Council described Gabriel’s Gully as one of the key sites in the history of Otago, and agreed registration would be an appropriate recognition.”

Gabriel’s Gully played a significant role in Central Otago history that had carried through to today.

“The life of the alluvial gold miner was certainly the stuff of national imagination: their distinctive lifestyle based around chasing gold, working hard, playing equally hard, with a sense of adventure, shaped the identity of Central Otago,” Mr Graham said.

“We are fortunate that at Gabriel’s Gully many archaeological features remain on site for all to appreciate. With the sesquicentennial in 2011 of Gabriel Read’s discovery of gold, national recognition of the importance of that find is very timely.”

Butler’s Farm on SH8 just outside Alexandra, is an important grouping of buildings comprising a stone farmstead and barn plus other outbuildings, set in the Fruitlands district of Central Otago. Established in the early 1870s, the farm was associated in the twentieth century with the orcharding firm after which the Fruitlands area is named.

“Originally the farm was involved in dairying when the industry was in its infancy,” Mr Graham said.

“When John Butler purchased the farm in 1878 he expanded his cropping operations before moving into orcharding. Fruit tree planting on Fruitlands Estate began in 1915, with 150 acres eventually accommodating 30,000 trees. Ultimately, due to severe winters the venture failed in 1928 with use reverting back to farming.”

Mr Graham said the current owner of Butler’s Farm had welcomed the registration, with the intention to preserve and renovate the buildings back to as original condition as possible.

NZHPT hopes the Central Otago District Council will list Butler’s Farm on its District Plan. Gabriel’s Gully has been afforded protection with its listing with the Clutha District Council.

“While recognising the importance places have in New Zealand’s cultural and historic identity, NZHPT registrations do not offer any protection. That comes when local authorities, such as Clutha District Council with Gabriel’s Gully, take the lead and list buildings on their district plans,” Mr Graham said.

ENDS

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