Story: Rural recreation

Farm tug-of-war team

Farm tug-of-war team

This team won the tug-of-war competition at the Tōmoana sports, on St Patrick’s Day, 1906. In the early 20th century, sports days were often held on commemorative days or public holidays. Tōmoana is on the outskirts of Hastings, and the bearded figure in the back row, fifth from left, is William Nelson, farmer and manager of the local freezing works. Six years later he sold land at Tōmoana to the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Association, for their annual show.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-024403; C

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:

Jock Phillips, 'Rural recreation - Organised recreation, 1850–1900', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/17677/farm-tug-of-war-team (accessed 25 April 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 24 Nov 2008