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Story: Farming in the economy

Belfast Freezing Works, 1920s

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Belfast Freezing Works, 1920s

The workers at the Belfast Freezing Works, in Christchurch, were paid according to the number of sheep they killed and skinned per day. Later, a chain system was introduced where each person performed a specific task as the carcass travelled along a moving chain – this was much faster and more hygienic.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Steffano Webb Collection (PAColl-3061)

Reference: 1/1-003961; G

by Steffano Francis Webb

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

Robert Peden, Farming in the economy – Refrigeration and sheep farming, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/17615/belfast-freezing-works-1920s (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Robert Peden, published 1 March 2009.