An obsession with the origin of the Mosgiel name has prompted a project to restore the grave of the town's founder.
Emeritus Prof Martin Ferguson, of Dunedin, blamed retirement and insomnia for his fascination with the origin of the Mosgiel name.
The late nights researching maps and books from 1527 to the present day revealed the Burns' family farm in Scotland was called Mossgiel from the late 1800s.
The obsession moved on to researching the Rev Thomas Burns, the founding father of the Otago settlement, and traced where his family lived in Dunedin after emigrating in 1848.
The research revealed the "character'' of Burns' son Arthur.
Arthur farmed with his father at Grants Braes before moving to the Taieri plain and founding Mosgiel.
The grave of Thomas Burns at Southern Cemetery was in "good order'' but Arthur Burns' grave was a "mess'', Prof Ferguson said.
The grave deserved to be restored, he said.
"He was the founder of Mosgiel. It's quite a thing, isn't it?''
About $3000 was needed to restore the grave and work would begin when the money became available.
The Historic Cemeteries Conservation Trust and Mosgiel Taieri Community Board had indicated an intent to give money to the project.
He had also approached the Rotary Clubs of Mosgiel and Taieri for money.
"Everything I'm hearing is sounding hopeful.''
Arthur John Burns
1848: Arrived in Dunedin with his family from Scotland on the ship, Philip Laing.
1856: Taieri representative on the provincial council.
1861: Married Sarah Dickson and moved to a house in Mosgiel.
1869: Established Mosgiel Woollen Mill.
1876: Elected to the House of Representatives.
1901: Died in Dunedin and buried in the Southern Cemetery.
