Murchison, New Zealand

Murchison
town
Aerial view of Murchison in 1978
Country New Zealand
Region Tasman Region
District Tasman District
River Buller River
Coordinates 41°48′S 172°20′E / 41.800°S 172.333°E / -41.800; 172.333Coordinates: 41°48′S 172°20′E / 41.800°S 172.333°E / -41.800; 172.333
Population 498 (2006)
Timezone New Zealand Standard Time (UTC+12)
 - summer (DST) New Zealand Daylight Time (UTC+13)
Postal code 7007
Wikimedia Commons: Murchison, New Zealand
Statistics: 2006 Census

Murchison is a town in the Tasman Region of the South Island of New Zealand. It is near the western end of the "Four Rivers Plain", at the confluence of the Buller River and the Matakitaki River. The other two rivers are the Mangles River, and the Matiri River. It is a rural service town for the surrounding mixed farming district, on New Zealand State Highway 6 approximately halfway between Westport and Nelson. Murchison was named after the famed Scottish geologist Roderick Murchison.[1] At the 2006 census, Murchison had a population of 496.[2]

History

Commemorative plaque for the 1905 Murchison suicide attack

The district is steeped in history from the days of the gold miners and early settlers. Lyell, once one of the largest gold mining settlements in the South Island, is nearby, and offers an interesting example of how quickly the bush can wipe away traces of civilization. Murchison was the epicentre of the 1929 Murchison earthquake (also known as the Buller earthquake).

Hampden Hotel, the iconic 19th century hotel on the main street of Murchison

The world's earliest non-military suicide attack is believed to have occurred in Murchison on 14 July 1905. A long-standing dispute between two farmers resulted in a court case, and the defendant (Joseph Sewell) had sticks of gelignite strapped to his body. When Sewell excitedly shouted during the court sitting about the other farmer "I'll blow the devil to hell, and I have enough dynamite to do just that", he was ushered out of the building. Sewell detonated the charge when a police officer tried to arrest him on the street, and his body was blown to pieces, but nobody else died from their injuries.[3][4]

Attractions

Murchison

Recognised as the "Whitewater Capital" of New Zealand, nearby rivers include the Gowan River, Mangles River, Matiri River, Glenroy River, Matakitaki River, Maruia River, and the Buller, with many excellent whitewater runs along its length. These rivers vary from Class 2 to 4 whitewater. These rivers are also world-renowned for fly fishing for large brown trout in gin-clear water. Being on the edge of both Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks, there are many interesting walks nearby. Lake Matiri and Mt Owen define southern access points for entering Kahurangi and both are spectacular. There are also many other areas of native bush where hikers/trampers can experience the great outdoors.

References

  1. ↑ "Murchison". NZHistory.net.nz. Retrieved 8 February 2016.
  2. ↑ "QuickStats About Murchison". 2006 Census. Statistics New Zealand. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
  3. ↑ Hindmarsh, Gerard (16 January 2016). "NZ suicide bombing a world first". The Press. p. A13. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  4. ↑ "The Murchison Tragedy". Nelson Evening Mail. XL. 15 July 1905. p. 2. Retrieved 17 January 2016.

Media related to Murchison, New Zealand at Wikimedia Commons

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