Story: Rural workers

In the mud

In the mud

A team of bullocks up to their knees in mud struggle to haul a wagon laden with flax fibre, around 1900. While many roads were passable in fine weather, once the rains came, the animals’ hooves churned up the heavy clay. Gangs of roadmen built roads, and local councils also employed individuals to maintain roads. They lived isolated lives in huts along the road.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-C-016305-F

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

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Rural workers - On the road', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17216/in-the-mud (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 24 Nov 2008