Labour groups and railway construction in Otago, 1869-1873

Abstract

This long essay is concerned with identifying labour groups involved in railway construction in Otago between the years 1869- 1873. Once identified the object is to see whether any of these groups fit a "railway navvy" stereotype drawn from observations of men engaged in railway construction in Britain. The method involved is a simple one. The setting down of the stereotype will be followed by a brief statement of Otago's early railway development. The first chapter will focus on the building of the Port Chalmers line and second on the initial construction of the Dunedin to Clutha line. The third chapter will outline Brogden's Taieri Contract and discuss the Chinese labour question while the fourth, and final, chapter will deal with the importation of especially selected railway navvies from England and their Colonial experiences, with special reference to Otago. In the conclusion the three labour groups identified will be analysed and their relationship to the stereotype examined. [Preface]