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Hector’s missing geological map of Otago, 1864
Doug Coombs, Dunedin
For many years James Hector’s hand-coloured Geological Map of the Province of Otago hung
in the museum of the Geology Department at the University of Otago. It was a truly historic
document, the culminating achievement of Hector’s years as Geologist for the Otago
Provincial Government from 1862 to 1864. During that time Hector carried out, effectively
single-handedly, a geological reconnaissance of the whole of the South Island south of the
Waitaki River. The map measures 1.380 x 1.570 m, and is well remembered by older members
and former students of the Geology Department. It has not been seen since the late 1970s.
At about that time, the late Doug (J.D.) Campbell and I had become concerned about
deterioration of the map, and we discussed giving it to the Hocken Library at the University
for safe keeping and possible repair. Doug was acting HOD for several spells during 1978-
1979, and in so far as I thought about the map subsequently, I assumed it was in the Hocken.
Late in 2005 it transpired that it was not to be found there. A photograph of the map in
damaged condition was taken in the Department during the 1970s (Fig. 1). The legend on the
map reads as follows:
GEOLOGICAL MAP OF THE PROVINCE OF OTAGO NEW ZEALAND BY JAMES HECTOR
MD FGS PROVINCIAL GEOLOGIST
GEOGRAPHICAL DETAIL FROM THE INITIAL SURVEY OF THE ADMIRALTY AND THE
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT 1864
At least 19 separately coloured formations are shown on the map, but the key is illegible in the
surviving photograph.
The first clue to the fate of the map came when a dismantled wooden frame was found in the
Geology basement with a note attached saying it was the frame of the Hector map, being
restored in Auckland with a grant from the Art Galleries and Museums Association of N Z).
The note gave the names of two staff members of the Otago Museum and the initials JDC.
Exhaustive enquiries have established the following:
1. The map belongs to the Hocken Collections, but at some date in the distant past it was lent
to the Geology Department for display in the Department Museum.
2. According to a letter dated 28.10.1977 from the Hocken Librarian, M.G. Hitchings, to
AGMANZ and held in Te Papa, the Auckland City Art Gallery agreed to undertake repair and
cleaning work, the price to be $300. The Dunedin Art Gallery had apparently quoted $500.
3. A letter dated 1.11.1978 from the Director of the Dunedin Public Art Gallery to the
Secretary of AGMANZ states: “We understand this item is now in Auckland Gallery, and that
it cannot be treated there. We are willing and able to cope with the restoration of this if we are
called upon to do so.”
4. Staff of the Auckland Art Gallery have searched for the map recently and have not found
any record of its having been there. The same applies to Auckland Central Library, Auckland
Museum, and the University of Auckland Geology Department.
GSNZ Newsletter 143 (2007) Page 42