Skip to main content

Kōrero: Geological exploration

Camp cook

Image
Camp cook

Large geological field parties usually had a camp cook. Jack Tolmie, probably the last Geological Survey cook, worked on surveys of the Reefton goldfield and later the Greymouth coalfield. Harking back to his army days, punctuality was important to Jack, and meals were always ready on time. Note the pocket watch hanging from the mantelpiece, just to the right of his head.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Maxwell Gage

by Maxwell Gage

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Simon Nathan, Geological exploration – Mapping, volcanoes and geophysics: 1900–1965, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/8201/camp-cook (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Simon Nathan, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.