OTA'GO, one of the most recent settlements, but, at the same time, the most prosper ous, populous, and likely to become the most influential province of New Zealand (q.v.). Since the re-incorporation of Southland—a portion of its territory which, in 1861. was parted from Otago and raised into a small separate province, an experiment which failed in a short time—it is now the most southern province of South island (see NEW ZEALAND). Otago is bounded on the n. by the province of Canterbury, and on the w., e., and S. by the Pacific ocean; is in length 200 m., 160 in. in breadth, and possesses an invaluable line of coast which measures 400 miles. The entire area is about 15,500,000 acres—over 24.000 sq.miles. Pop. in 1871, 69,500; in 1877, estimated at 115,680. The chief rivers are the Waitaki, the Clutha, and the Mataum, all of which flow s.s.e., and are navigable to a greater or less extent. The western regions of Otago remain unsur veyed, but are known to be covered with high, and in many cases snow-capped moun tains, stretching along the whole line of coast, and extending inland for upwards of 60 miles. East and n.e. from the Matnra river to the shore the surface is well known, and consists of mountain-ranges alternating with valleys, and extending parallel to the sea and to each other as far inland as the valley of the Mannherikia, one of the first affluents of the Clutha. The climate of Otago is exceedingly healthy and invigorating; frost and snow are unknown except in the higher, ranges, and rain, though sufficiently abundant to answer the demands of agriculture. does not interfere with outdoor occupations. All the English fruits and flowers, with some trifling exceptions, arc grown here to perfection. Tho northern and interior districts of the province arc eminently adapted, as regards both soil and climate, for agriculture as well as cat Ile-breeding. The western districts are rugg( d, and covered with forests; but in the eastern regions are many fertile and well-watered tracts, admirably suited for the production of corn, and the rearing of cattle and sheep. In mineral wealth the province of Otago is remarkably rich. Coal, iron, (-tipper, silver, lead, etc., have been found, and useful earths and clays are abundant. Gold has been found in small quantities in other provinces of New Zealand, as in Auckland and Nelson province; but by far the most important gold-fields of the colony are in the province of Otago. Gold was first discovered here by Mr. Gabriel Read in June. 1861, in a gully,
since called Gabriel's gully, on the Tunpeka, an affluent of the Clutha, in a direct line 37 m. w. of Dunedin. Read placed his discovery in the hands of government, and was presented by the provincial council with if:500 as a reward. In less than two months from the discovery of gold 3,900 people were at work in the Tuapeka valley, and were obtaining 6.000 oz. a week. From this time gold-mining became a staple employment. A " rush " was made from Australia; Dunedin, formerly the village-capital of the prov ince, now rapidly increased in size and trade, new fields were discovered, and the immi gration-lists were immensely swelled. From June, 1861, to June, 1863. 700,000 oz., worth nearly L'3,000,000, were obtained. The most productive gold-tield hitherto dis covered is the Am-row river district, in the vicinity of lake Wakatik. This district was made known in Nov., 1862, and from that time to the end of Oct., 1S63, 237,655 oz.— value ;055,620—were forwarded to Dunedin by escort. The value of (begot(' exported from Otago up to the end of 1876 was £13,602,266; in 1876 it was 5.;487,632 In 1674 the imports amounted in value to £2,835,334; the exports to f22,004,322. Gold, wool, tin her, and agricultural produce are the principal articles of export. In hgrieultme, the chief growths are wheat, oats, barley, potatoes, and hay. In 1875 the extent of hind under cultivation, and the amount of these products of the farm, were reported to be as follows; wheat, 28,116 acres, supplying 980,128 bushels; oats, 80,788 acres, 3,018,148 bushels; barley, 5,055 acres, 168,437 bushels; potatoes, 3,342 acres, 18,420 tolls; hay, 7,592 acres, 11,899 tons. The first band of settlers reached the shores of 01m,,o in the spring of 1848. The capital is Dunedin (q.v.). The population of this city and its sub urbs, Roslyn and Caversham, was, in 1871. 21,511. Otago was originally a class colony connected with the free church of Scotland; but the influx of immigrants consequent on the discovery of gold has obliterated its distinctive character.