Joshua Morgan's Grave. Tangarakau Gorge. New Zealand.
S 38° 58.685 E 174° 50.015
60H E 312338 N 5683423
The resting place of respected early surveyor, Joshua Morgan, who died of suspected peritonitis in 1892 aged 35. There is a short walkway through the bush to his grave which is considered a memorial to the efforts of these early pioneer surveyors.
Waymark Code: WM46PM
Location: New Zealand
Date Posted: 07/15/2008
Views: 24
The first European to cross the Urewera ranges, Joshua Morgan had been an eyewitness to the Tarawera eruption of 1886. He spoke fluent Maori and often lapsed into the language in his writing. And he could turn his hands to most things, including building a home for wife Annie on their Kaimata South Road, Inglewood property. His diaries show a well organised builder and husband. Morgan had been personally recommended to join a survey party laying off a road from New Plymouth to Auckland through the rugged Tangarakau Gorge (now SH 43). The history of his work in this remote area is written here on this website.
The road that Morgan marked is now called The Forgotten World Highway and covers 150kms from Stratford to Taumarunui. On average it takes around three hours to drive it and at least three days to see all its features.
Joshua Morgan's grave lies next to the Tangarakau Stream. Many feel it's a memorial to all the hard working men who forged trails through inhospitable blocks of back country. Near it stands a theodolite, similar to one Morgan used. Iron and totara pegs used by his surveying party can still be found today.