Story: Rural workers

Shearers’ cook

Shearers’ cook

A cook stands, holding a ladle, in the kitchen and dining room of a shearers’ quarters in 1909. All his cooking was done on the coal range. The photograph was probably taken by a Labour Department inspector. The Shearers’ Accommodation Act 1898 improved conditions for shearers by requiring that all accommodation and other sheds had to be inspected, and proper sleeping and eating areas provided. If the accommodation was inadequate, an inspector served the owner with a notice explaining what was required. Non-compliant owners were brought before a magistrate and fined.

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Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Reference: Appendices to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1909, H-11

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Rural workers - Large sheep runs', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17199/shearers-cook (accessed 19 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 24 Nov 2008