| Brief Description |
This washing machine is made mostly of wood, probably kauri. It is hand-operated with iron carrying handles on each end, a bung-hole for drainage at one end and wooden stays at the centre of each side. It is iron bound on the inside to form perpendicular groove. Also inside is corrugated wood forming a half circle and deep, draining holes. Into this fits a half-circular "worker" with slats to rub near the corrugations and an upright handle projecting 27"above the box. Water is placed in the box, and the clothes are placed between the corrugations and the slats and the handle worked.
This machine was homemade or made by a tradesman. The donor's daughter thinks it was possibly made by her great grandfather, David Strachan. She remembers the washing machine stored in the loft at the family farm "Lornty", prior to it being donated to the Museum. It was never used during her life.
|
