Story: South Canterbury region
Between 1860 and 1863 the English writer Samuel Butler owned Mesopotamia station at the headwaters of the Rangitātā River. His experiences provided the setting for the opening chapters of his famous novel Erewhon (which almost spells ‘nowhere’ backwards). The beginning of the story captures the isolation and resilience of high-country farming life.
About this item
Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: A-196-015
Watercolour by William Packe
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.