Hocken Library librarian Sharon Dell (left) and curator of
archives and manuscripts Anna Blackman inspect Hector's
Map, an early geological map of Otago drawn by James Hector
in the 1860s. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.
A significant and impressive early geological map of
Otago, once thought lost, has returned in time for its
creator's birthday.
In 1861, the Otago Provincial Council decided to commission a
geological survey in the hope of finding minerals -
especially gold - and hired Edinburgh-born geologist James
Hector for the job.
Between 1862 and 1864, he explored and mapped all of Otago
province and Southland.
He became a dominant 19th century science figure in New
Zealand and geologists celebrate his birthday, March 16, as
Hector's Day.
The Hocken Library marked yesterday's milestone by unveiling
a restored copy of one of Hector's 1860s geological maps of
Otago.
The map once hung in the University of Otago's geology museum
before deterioration prompted a move in the 1970s to have it
restored.
Hocken Library librarian Sharon Dell said the 1.5m wide map
was sent to the Auckland Art Gallery for conservation.
However, it became overlooked and was forgotten for about 25
years.
"It was not until they were getting ready to move out of the
building that they investigated this roll of paper, and there
it was," she said.
In 2007, it was returned to the Hocken and a "generous" grant
from the University of the Third Age Charitable Trust enabled
it to be fully conserved and digitised.
A website was also created, allowing the map to be seen
around the world, with a history written by geologist and
author Simon Nathan.
A scaled-down copy of the map was given to the geology
department at an event last night, with the original
preserved in the Hocken's map collection.
"I think the geology department are really thrilled," Ms Dell
said.
University of Otago professor of geology Ewan Fordyce calls
it "the map that changed the South".
"Hector was quite a pivotal figure in New Zealand geology ...
[the map is] an important part of Southern science," he said.
Looking at the original "really takes you back to the time
when the person was standing there actually executing it".
However, he knew it was "too delicate to have on public
display" and was looking forward to having the "excellent"
digital copy at the geology department.
Visit www.library.otago.ac.nz/hocken/hector/map.php
to learn more and to see a copy of the map.
ellie.constantine@odt.co.nz
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