INVERCARGILL  , the

chief town of Southland county, South Island, New Zealand, 139 M. by rail S.W. by W. from Dunedin . Pop . (1906) 7299 . It lies on a deep estuary of the south coast named New River Harbour, which receives several streams famous for trout-fishing . It is the centre of the large grazing and farming district of Southland; and has a number of factories, including breweries, foundries, woollen mills and timber-works . The plan of the town is rectangular, with wide streets; and there is a fine open reserve . The harbour is deep and well sheltered, but the greater part of the trade passes through the neighbouring Bluff Harbour, on which is Campbelltown, 17 M . S. of Invercargill by rail . Bluff Harbour is the port of call and departure for steamers for Melbourne and Hobart . Exports are wool, preserved meat and timber . The district of Southland was surveyed in 1841, but was reported unfavourable, and settlement was delayed till 1857 . Southland was a separate province between 1860 and 187o, but, failing financially as such, rejoined the parent province of Otago .

Invercargill became a

municipality in 187;1, and there are five suburban municipalities . The town is the regular starting-point of a journey to the famous lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau, which are approached by rail .