Story: Geological exploration

Colonial Museum staff

Colonial Museum staff

James Hector and staff of the Colonial Museum and Geological Survey pose with a whale skeleton, about 1874. Hector is sitting on the box, but there is doubt about the identification of some individuals. Geologist Alexander McKay may be fifth from the right (wearing cap, at back). The skeleton is a pygmy right whale, captured at Stewart Island in 1874.

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Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: 1/2-004109; 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:

Simon Nathan, 'Geological exploration - The New Zealand Geological Survey, 1865–1892', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/8142/colonial-museum-staff (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Simon Nathan, published 12 Jun 2006