The Working Day on the Goldfields – Richard Daintree Photos.

Richard Daintree worked as a geological surveyor in 1870, travelling the vast colony of Queensland on horseback. He collected samples of minerals, noted areas of interest, and took photographs.

Richard Daintree’s wooden photographic equipment case, National Museum of Australia.

He travelled with his camera equipment in a little wooden case, recording the extraordinary scenery, and the people working tirelessly to make a living in harsh, unfamiliar territory. Considering the conditions he worked in, each picture is miraculously good.

These photographs were enlarged and beautifully hand-coloured. They were eventually displayed in Exhibitions throughout Australia and the United Kingdom, together with his mineral samples.

Daintree’s health had declined in the heat of the tropics, and he returned to England to take up the position of Agent-General for Queensland. There he endured the machinations of politicians and civil servants for several years, before retiring and passing away from tuberculosis in 1878.

The photographs are reproduced here with their original captions, and can be found in the digital collection of the Queensland Museum.

Morning.

“A Chinese miner starting for work.”
“Morning – going to work.”
“Men at work raking gullies.”
“Pan and sluice.”
A quick break, before returning to the field.
“Spell-oh!”
“A Chinese miner taking it easy.”
“Alluvial Creek working a California Pump.”
“Gold mining near Rockhampton.”
“Cape River diggings.”

Evening in the bush.

“Evening – slinging the Billy.”

Sunday – a well-earned break.

“Sunday at home.”

Leave a Comment