- Ross, New Zealand
Infobox Settlement
name = Ross
population_total = 291
population_as_of = 2006
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name =New Zealand
subdivision_type1= Region
subdivision_name1= West Coast
subdivision_type2= District
subdivision_name2=Westland District
pushpin_
pushpin_label_position = right
latd = 42
latm = 53
lats = 45
latNS = S
longd = 170
longm = 48
longs = 51
longEW = ERoss is a small town located on the West Coast of
New Zealand 'sSouth Island .It lies 27 kilometres south-west of
Hokitika and 46 kilometres north-east ofHarihari . State Highway 6 passes through Ross on its route from Ruatapu south toPukekura ,Harihari , and further south, theFranz Josef Glacier . [cite book|title=Reed New Zealand Atlas|year=2004|id=ISBN 0-7900-0952-8|author=Peter Dowling (editor)|publisher=Reed Books|pages=map 68] [cite book|title=The Geographic Atlas of New Zealand|year=2005|id=ISBN 1-877333-20-4|author=Roger Smith, GeographX|publisher=Robbie Burton|pages=map 165]The population was 291 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 24 from 2001. [cite web|url=http://www.stats.govt.nz/census/2006-census-data/final-counts/west-coast-region.htm|title=Final counts – census night and census usually resident populations, and occupied dwellings - Westland District|publisher=
Statistics New Zealand ] .The town's chief industries are farming and
forestry . Ross was an important centre during the West Coastgoldrush of the 1860s. Since 1988 a large open cast mine has operated adjacent to the town. [cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/MineralResources/GoldAndGoldMining/11/ENZ-Resources/Standard/3/en|title=Ross, West Coast|encyclopedia=Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand ]A
branch line railway known as theRoss Branch was opened to Ross on1 April 1909 , and this was the southern terminus of the line owned by theNew Zealand Railways Department . However, a lengthy privately owned bush tramway ran south from the railway station to serve logging interests nearLake Ianthe [Geoffrey B. Churchman and Tony Hurst, "Railways of New Zealand: A Journey Through History" (Auckland: HarperCollins, 1991), 193.] and a railway extension from Ross through theHaast Pass to connect with theOtago Central Railway was proposed in the early 20th century. [ [http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=OW19060124.2.120&e=-------en--11----2%22waipaoa+bridge++%22-all "The Dense Forests and Snow-Fed Streams of the West: Ross to Wanaka via the Haast Pass"] , "Otago Witness" (24 January 1906), 57.] From the 1940s until9 October 1962 , a Vulcan railcar service operated directly fromChristchurch to Ross twice a day. A lack of traffic and expensive maintenance costs meant the line was closed beyond Hokitika on24 November 1980 . Much of the oldtrack bed between Ruatapu and Hokitika can be driven as it serves as an access road for local farmers, and a disused truss bridge still stands north of Ross. [David Leitch and Brian Scott, Exploring New Zealand's Ghost Railways, revised edition (Wellington: Grantham House, 1998 [1995] ), 60-1.]Education
Ross School is a coeducational contributing primary (years 1-6) school with a decile rating of 6 and a roll of 24. [cite web|url=http://www.tki.org.nz/e/schools/display_school_info.php?school_id=3489|title=Te Kete Ipurangi - Ross School, New Zealand|Ross School|publisher=Ministry of Education]
References
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