Story: History of immigration

Carpenter’s plane

Carpenter’s plane

Many of the immigrants of the 1870s were either agricultural labourers or craft workers, especially carpenters and builders, who were in great demand in the growing colony. This is the carpentry plane of Thomas Dewson, an Englishman who migrated in the 1870s. He found work making furniture and carving the coats of arms on government buildings. As was the custom, his name was etched on the side of the plane.

Using this item

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
Photograph by Emma Dewson

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How to cite this page:

Jock Phillips, 'History of immigration - The immigrants of the great migration', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/2123/carpenters-plane (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Jock Phillips, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 1 Aug 2015