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Story: Pets

Gum digger’s cat

Gum digger’s cat

A Northland kauri gum digger cleans buckets of gum with a cat at his feet, around 1910. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, gangs of working men often lived in isolated places under harsh conditions. Pets such as cats and dogs provided a homely touch to their austere surroundings.

About this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Northwood Collection (PAColl-3077)
Reference: 1/1-006270; G
Photograph by Northwood Brothers

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

How to cite this page:

Nancy Swarbrick. 'Pets', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 27-Sep-11
URL: http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/pets/2/3