About this objectGiven to me by Wilfred ''Cobber'' Brown of Orange. It is only in recent years that the "Hod" has moved into past history. I think the use of this Brick and Mortar carrying contraption was to say the least .... extremely hard and physically damaging work. The Hod carried bricks to the Bricklayer and Plasterer sometimes several stories high and up ladders. The general shape is in the form of a short trough with one end closed and with open top.
Mortar consisted of sand and rock lime. The "Rocks" were soaked in water and mostly in a hole in the ground and then the sand was added. This was called the "Mix" and was generally left there to cure for up to ten days. The content was judged to finish the job. It was necessary to keep the mix Pliable and the cement was added as used. The material was kept in the correct condition for the plasterer by the use of the "Larry Hoe" (see No. 35).
The Hod was held in one hand with its leg between the legs with one hand. The material was then shovelled in with the "free" hand. The loaded hod was moved to the shoulder and held there by the leg. The Hod Carrier moved over difficult terrain with heavy loads consisting of sixteen to twenty bricks and also filled with mortar. "Cobber" told me that he saw one man carry eighty bricks some paces before the Hod collapsed. This load weighed about five hundred weight.
From the original Viv Kable catalogue exhibit register.