Mine gases

Date: 25 Feb 1992

From: Huntly Coalfields oral history project

By: Mackie, David Waldrop, 1900-

Reference: OHInt-0020/05

Description: David Mackie recalls the miners' homestead; mining in Scotland; Scottish mobile cutters; Pukemiro in the 1920s; mining lights (lamps) in the 1920s; mining clothing; accidents in Scottish mines during World War II; the Glen Afton disaster of 1939; fire fighting; using dummy jigs (before conveyor belts and mechanical cutters); the different poisonous gases and dust in the mine; training to be a deputy and mine rescuer (Edinburgh Mining College); deputies as providers of first aid; compares mine rescue stations at Rotowaro and Scottish mines; glenie lamps and canaries; Scottish mining (sink mining); using fire for ventilation; pioneer versus modern mining. Describes the Huntly Working Mens Club; mining in Scotland as a boy; morning tea at Rotowaro mine; pit ponies; Shetland ponies in Scotland; endless ropes and conveyor belts; truckers' job; Australian mines during the depression (1930s); relations between miners and deputies; Rotowaro after World War II; process of firing the shot; testing for gas; underviewers and managers; local Maori; the 'sunburnt Scotsman'; transport; sports clubs at Rotowaro; fishing at Te Akau; shopping in Huntly in 1924; union action at Scargill; 'brushing' the roof; the modern mine at Glen Afton. Venue - Hamilton Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - Flat 10, 211 River Road, Hamilton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004392 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.25 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 725 - also contains excerpts of tape transcripts.

Date: 27 Jan 1992

From: Huntly Coalfields oral history project

By: McGilp, Donald James, 1912-2004

Reference: OHInt-0020/01

Description: Don McGilp gives biographical details; childhood; time in Athenree, early 1920s; first job in the new Macdonald mine; system of allocating jobs; pay systems; shot holes; relationships with deputies; accidents in mines; the Renown pit in 1932; description of FTC raid in Huntly; conditions during the Depression. Describes buying own equipment; the pillar workings; underviewers; union agreements; wastage; more about accidents; reference to Alan Baxter; reference to Alison mine, Pukemiro mine; work of union 'check inspector'; disputes for wet time; using horses at Glen Afton mine; special shiftmen at Rotowaro and Macdonald mines; reasons for move to Rotowaro mine; job in sugar factory; demand for miners during World War II; strike of 1942. Discusses the 1951 strike; emergency regulations; opencasters scabbing; police; support from railway workers; poaching of sheep; description of British mining; theory about Russian situation; good points about mining as job; formation and demise of Labour Party; social life in Huntly; Pukemiro miners and their medical system; the closure of Rotowaro; being unable to buy a house at Rotowaro; the effects of coal dust on miners; advantages of coal range over electric stove; eleven killed at Glen Afton mine in 1939. Venue - Huntly Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - Donald McGilp's home at 21 Harlick Place, Huntly Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004386 - OHC-004387 Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 2.57 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 721 - contains excerpts of transcripts of tapes.

Date: 11 Mar 1992

From: Huntly Coalfields oral history project

By: Smith, Gordon Haining, 1917-

Reference: OHInt-0020/09

Description: Gordon Smith recalls working in Denniston during Depression (1930s); family background in mining; father got carbon dioxide poisoning; thoughts about 1951 strike; first job at Denniston; the timber skips; stone drives; gradient for mining seam at Alison; manpowered to mines in World War II; job as underviewer; disagreement with manager over gradient of drive; the origins and closing of the Whatawhata mine; width and height regulations in mines; horses at Denniston; the Glen Afton disaster; the explosion at Hill 60 (Rotowaro); fires in mines; the mines rescue station. Describes damages to lungs; life in Rotowaro; getting a house; going back to Rotowaro in 1992. Venue - Ngaruawahia Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - 136a Great South Road, Ngarawahia Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004397 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.15 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 729 - also contains excerpts of tape transcripts.

Date: 27 Feb 1992

From: Huntly Coalfields oral history project

By: Kereopa, Joseph, 1927-

Reference: OHInt-0020/07

Description: Joseph Kereopa recalls transport to Raglan School; being a kaumatua; the mining apprenticeship at Glen Afton; working with pit horses; the closeness of the mining community; getting provisions to feed community in 1951 strike; interaction with neighbouring communities; social life at Glen Afton, rugby league; the 'Blue Room' social club; police raids on club; bowling club; different ethnic groups; manual mining; time taken to get to mine face; various pay types; disputes over wet time, dust time; using horses; sensing gas; canaries; the Dairy Company mines; good points about mining as a job. Discusses working on the face; accidents; the importance of 'miners' sense'; safety, the importance of timbering; compares miners' skills to modern times; strikes; union delegates; relief funds for strikers; scrubcutting in 1951; pighunting; Maori and Huntly Working Mens Club; shopping in Huntly; the train from Huntly; fighting, drinking, gambling; lack of crime; relations with local Maori; the 1950s flood; redundancy payments. Venue - Raglan Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - 3 Main Road, Raglan Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004394 - OHC-004395 Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.50 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 727 - also contains excerpts of tape transcripts.