Story: Sewage, water and waste

Ligar Canal, Auckland

Ligar Canal, Auckland

The Ligar Canal was an infamous open drain that ran along Auckland’s Queen Street. This 1860s photo shows it crossed by rickety footbridges and surrounded by rough fences. The presence of raw sewage in open drains not only made early cities stink – it also led to high rates of disease and death.

Using this item

Auckland City Libraries - Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero
Reference: 4-400
Photograph by James D. Richardson

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Christine Dann, 'Sewage, water and waste - Dirt and disease', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/24426/ligar-canal-auckland (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Christine Dann, published 11 Mar 2010