West Eyreton
Encyclopedia
West Eyreton is a small rural village in the Canterbury
region of New Zealand
's South Island
. It is located west of Kaiapoi
and northwest of Eyreton
and is named after Edward John Eyre
, a 19th century lieutenant governor of the South Island (then known as New Munster). The 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings
revealed that Eyreton and its surrounding area had a usually resident population of 1,146, an increase of 306 or 36.4% since the 1996 census. This population was perfectly split between males and females; 573 each.
In the 1870s, appalling transport conditions in the area led to the construction of the Eyreton Branch railway line, which opened on 17 December 1875. Despite the implication of its name, the line ran to the north of Eyreton and originally terminated in West Eyreton. The status of West Eyreton as a railway terminus did not last long, as an extension connecting the Eyreton Branch with the Oxford Branch was opened on 1 February 1878. When this connection was cut on 9 February 1931, terminus status did not revert to West Eyreton as five kilometres of the extension was retained and Horrelville became the branch's terminus. On 26 May 1954, low traffic led to the closure of the line. Today, little remains of West Eyreton's former link to the national rail network
besides some of the old line's formation and a loading bank at the site of the village's station.
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
region of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
. It is located west of Kaiapoi
Kaiapoi
Kaiapoi is a town in the Canterbury region of the South Island of New Zealand, located close to the mouth of the Waimakariri River, and approximately 17 kilometres north of Christchurch....
and northwest of Eyreton
Eyreton
Eyreton, originally known as Eyretown, is a small village in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's South Island. It is named after Edward John Eyre, who at one time was the lieutenant governor of the South Island...
and is named after Edward John Eyre
Edward John Eyre
Edward John Eyre was an English land explorer of the Australian continent, colonial administrator, and a controversial Governor of Jamaica....
, a 19th century lieutenant governor of the South Island (then known as New Munster). The 2001 New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings
New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings
The New Zealand government department Statistics New Zealand conducts a census of population and dwellings every five years. The census scheduled for 2011 was cancelled due to circumstances surrounding the February 2011 Christchurch earthquake, however, and legislation introduced to hold the next...
revealed that Eyreton and its surrounding area had a usually resident population of 1,146, an increase of 306 or 36.4% since the 1996 census. This population was perfectly split between males and females; 573 each.
In the 1870s, appalling transport conditions in the area led to the construction of the Eyreton Branch railway line, which opened on 17 December 1875. Despite the implication of its name, the line ran to the north of Eyreton and originally terminated in West Eyreton. The status of West Eyreton as a railway terminus did not last long, as an extension connecting the Eyreton Branch with the Oxford Branch was opened on 1 February 1878. When this connection was cut on 9 February 1931, terminus status did not revert to West Eyreton as five kilometres of the extension was retained and Horrelville became the branch's terminus. On 26 May 1954, low traffic led to the closure of the line. Today, little remains of West Eyreton's former link to the national rail network
Rail transport in New Zealand
Rail transport in New Zealand consists of a network of gauge railway lines in both the North and South Islands. Rail services are focused primarily on freight, particularly bulk freight, with limited passenger services on some lines...
besides some of the old line's formation and a loading bank at the site of the village's station.
External links
- 2001 census data and community profile
- West Eyreton School homepage - has a history page about the school and community.