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Public Works Department camp

Public Works Department camp

A Public Works Department camp at Hapuawhenua, near Ohakune. Working and living conditions for the thousands of men who built the North Island main trunk line were primitive. A visitor to Raurimu in 1908 described how 'Continuous heavy rain, with occasional hail, sleet and snow, much fog, miry clay, and a tangled bed of wild undergrowth knitting together the forest giants, made a tough job for the workers.'

Alexander Turnbull Library
Reference: C-065-006
Further information and copies of this image may be obtained from the Library through its 'Timeframes' website, http://timeframes.natlib.govt.nz
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any reuse of this image.

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How to cite this page: 'Public Works Department camp', URL: http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/photo/public-works-work-camp, (Ministry for Culture and Heritage), updated 17-Jul-2007

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