Story: Epidemics

Ligar Canal, Auckland, 1860s

Several large buildings face a large open drain which is crossed by a simple wooden footbridge.

This photograph shows ‘Ligar Canal’, an open drain in the middle of Queen St (the main street) in Auckland that was named ironically for the colony’s surveyor-general. It contained raw sewage and other unhygienic material. Open drains created perfect conditions for infectious diseases such as typhoid to spread through the community.

Using this item

Auckland City Libraries - Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero
Reference: 4-400
Photograph by James D. Richardson

Permission of Auckland City Libraries Tāmaki Pātaka Kōrero must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story
How to cite this page:

Geoff Rice, 'Epidemics - The typhoid era, 1810s to 1890s', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/27782/ligar-canal-auckland-1860s (accessed 18 April 2024)

Story by Geoff Rice, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 8 Feb 2024