Ted Lawrence, at the age of 14 years took up a job as a driver for his uncle Robert Toms. The job paid £1 per week with keep. Ted boarded with Roberts mother, Mrs Laticia Mary Anne (Granny) Toms in dwelling #449. The work involved driving a gig, then wagons, from Bannockburn to the Nevis. Robert Toms has promised Ted a rise in pay, however after 2 years he told him that he could not afford one.

Ted looked for a new job, and obtained one as a waggoner/plowman for Cone Peak station for £2 per week driving wagons from Gibbston to Nevis and to Garston.

Ted gave up his job to a married returned serviceman from WW1. He then had various jobs in the Nevis. One was with Johnny Williams at the Nevis Hotel. As an odd job man his duties ranged from barman to wagoner. He worked for his uncle, William Toms who ran a contract labour business involving farm and water race work in the Nevis and Bannockburn areas. He then went to work on a gold claim.

At some point Ted Lawrence moved back to Bannockburn, to dwelling #106 where he lived with his parents.