Story: Cultural go-betweens

Reverend Don and Chinese gold miners

Reverend Don and Chinese gold miners

The Presbyterian missionary Alexander Don worked as a cultural go-between with Chinese gold miners in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is shown here with a group of miners at the Kyeburn diggings in Otago. On the wall behind him are Christian images and Chinese writings, since his followers spoke little or no English.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, McNeur Collection (PAColl-5135)
Reference: 1/2-019156-F

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:

Mark Derby, 'Cultural go-betweens - Missionaries', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/26797/reverend-don-and-chinese-gold-miners (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Mark Derby, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 22 May 2018