invariably asked, ‘Where in the world is Flag Swamp’?

Actually, some didn’t phrase the question quite so pelitely, and

other’s flatly refused to believe a place with such a name could

possibly exist. It does - but only just.

Flag Swamp is the name of a place on state highway one, on the east

coast of Otago, New Zeland. Flag Swamp have all ways been

small. In its heyday about a hundred years ago, it had, I believe, a

blacksmith’s shop, a church, a school, and one or two houses, but

now, since the blacksmith’s shop fell down and the church burnt

down, all that remains is the school and one or two houses.

How did it get such a strange name? As you may have already guest,

Flag Swamp is on the edge of a large swamp. During the stage

coach days, the high ground through the swamp was marked with

flags so that travellers could keep to the trail and avoid becoming

bogged down. The originel name of the place was Flagged swamp

which, with use, was shortened to Flag Swamp.

Now the main highway it raised well above the flood level and a

canal drains the swamp, but believe me, it is still possible to

become bogged down in Flag Swamp.