DID YOU KNOW ?? ..... interesting facts about Otago ....

Established in 1907, New Zealand's first Karitane Hospital was opened in Dunedin at the home of Sir Frederick Truby King (1858-1938) who founded the Royal New Zealand Society for the Health of Women and Children; now known as the New Zealand Plunket Society.

Otago Girls High School is the oldest girls-only high school in the southern hemisphere. It was founded in 1871 and is located in Tennyson Street, Dunedin.

The New Zealand Refrigeration Company, in 1881, established the Burnside Freezing Works near Green Island, Dunedin; the first for New Zealand.

New Zealands first Coal Mine was located at Saddle Hill, near Mosgiel, Dunedin; it was opened in 1849.

The Kaitangita Township, near Balclutha, was built for and around the Coal Mining Industry. In 1879 (February 21st) there was a mining explosion that claimed 34 miners lives.

The Otago Peninsula Cheese Factory Co. Ltd, was established on 22nd August, 1871, on the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin.

The 3rd of June 1869 marked the founding of the University of Otago, in North Dunedin; the first in New Zealand.

Dunedin was the first location in New Zealand to have Gas Street Lighting, on the 9th of May, 1863.

4XD is Dunedin's, and New Zealands, oldest radio station. It began operation on 4th of October, 1922, and is still broadcasting from South Dunedin.

Macandrew Bay, on the Otago Peninsula, Dunedin, was named after a Scotsman James Macandrew, a politician & business entrepreneur, who was arrested for debt while he was superintendant for the district.