Pit ponies

Date: 25 Feb 1992

From: Huntly Coalfields oral history project

By: Andrews, Robert Alexander, 1920-2008

Reference: OHInt-0020/06

Description: Robert Andrews describes biking to work; using the coal cutting machine; night shifts; number of shifts; getting coal from face; the earliest coal cutting machines; pit ponies at Glen Afton; accidents; the Glen Afton disaster; getting a deputies ticket; deputies and underviewers; cavelling for jobs; the Alison number 2 mine; introducing scraper loading into Alison; hydro mining in South Island; attempt to introduce hydro loading into Alison; working at the mine rescue station; ambulance certificate; training required; accidents attended underground; people pretending to be hurt; conditions of mining in World War II; danger of fires. Recalls wartime rations; nationality of miners; Rotowaro in the 1940s; the Rotowaro soccer team, Chatham Cup finalists; the church; school; entertainment; the undermanager's job; the 1951 strike; strikes during World War II; job as mine inspector in 1970s; changes in mining; coping with mining underground; using the glenie lamp; miners' diseases; Huntly coal compared to West Coast coal; uses of different types of coal; disposal of slack; establishment of carbonisation works; managers' accomodation; hydraulic mining at Bennydale. Venue - Ngaruawahia Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - Robert Andrews' home at 55 Old Taupiri Road, Ngaruawahia Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.20 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 726 - also contains excerpts of tape transcripts. Search dates: 1992

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: 10 Mar 1992

From: Huntly Coalfields oral history project

By: Baker, William Richard, 1919-

Reference: OHInt-0020/08

Description: Bill Baker recalls horses at Macdonald Mine; canaries; how some dodged World War II; strikes as reason for getting deputies ticket; using the first scraper loader at Pukemiro; opening the new mechanical drives in the 1960s; learning mining skills; how deputy worked out the wages; combustion heating; practical jokes; showing mine to group of nuns; an example of good manager at Pukemiro; socialising between officials and miners; miners trying to get wet or dust time; life at Pukemiro in late 1930s; comparison of pays over time; higher expectation on miners during World War II; learning safety requirements; removing timbers; accidents. Describes the Glen Afton disaster (1939), as part of rescue team; pay rates; the 1951 strike; relief food; comparison of effect of strike on wharfies and miners; conditions for miners; training at mines rescue station; fire fighting; leisure activities at Pukemiro; the Saturday night train from Huntly; drilling for shots; caps and hats; using the dummy jig; bringing up skips. Venue - Huntly Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - 40 Harris Street, Huntly West Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004396 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.10 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 728 - also contains excerpts from tape transcripts.

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: 31 Mar 1992

From: Huntly Coalfields oral history project

By: McCallum, John Kirk, 1904-1993

Reference: OHInt-0020/16

Description: Jock McCallum describes coming to Rotowaro; sports teams; using horses in Rotowaro No 1 Mine; payrates and work expenses; walking; meeting wife at dance; getting sacked in 1951; shops at Rotowaro; getting train to Huntly; going to Huntly Working Men's Club; cigarettes in the mines; glenie lamps and mines rescue station; building a road in the Depression (1930s); fate of brothers; being in home guard in World War II; mates in the coal mines; people killed at Renown Mine. Recalls board and pillar mining; shooting tops; extracting coal; ventilation; buying house at Rotowaro; starting at Renown; local Maori; holidays, fishing; mother's work; the 1951 strike; working in retirement; example of underviewer that he didn't get on with. Venue - Huntly Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - Karolie Rest Home, 251 River Road, Hamilton Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004405 Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 1.16 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 736 - also contains excerpts of tape transcripts.

Date: 06 Apr 1992

From: Huntly Coalfields oral history project

By: Bourke, Thomas Owen, 1922-1998; Jones, Rhys Owen, 1917-; Pitkin, Jack, 1903-

Reference: OHInt-0020/18

Description: Jack Pitkin, Rhys Jones and Tom Bourke recall the train at Huntly West during blackout; working the Extended Mine; hats and carbide lamps; the Ralph's Mine disaster; pumping water from Extended Mine; pay rates; buying equipment; the blacksmith in mine; shops in Huntly in 1920s and early days in Huntly; Jack Pitkin's accident; mining high seams at Extended; speed of skips; Jack Pitkin's first impression of mining. Describe relations with deputies; the closing of Extended Mine; the strikes of 1913; other strikes; reference to Alan Baxter and wet time; extracting pillars; not being allowed to go to war; Rhys Jones caught in fall; wearing binders; skip filling records; advantage of left and right hand combination of miners; taking on new miners; controlling cavels; working on old horse road at Rotowaro; working Saturdays; the miners' train from Huntly to Rotowaro; restrictions and rations in World War II; fire fighting and Hill 60 explosion; two miners who got killed at Rotowaro; early head gear. Discuss a Maori artist in mine; more on Extended; contact with Rotowaro; Rotowaro playing in Chatham Cup (soccer); stealing gear from mines; power supply at Rotowaro; the winch house; the 1951 strike, blowing up of bridge, getting supplies, quality of union leadership, length of strike, use of vegetable garden for survival; the depression (1930s); an alcoholic doctor in Huntly; sports injuries and claiming compensation from mine; pay; more on doctors; toilets and rats in mine; using carbide lamps; Davies safety lights; Rotowaro and Alison mines cavelling together. Talks about using horses at Rotowaro; big shovels; a horse that worked Roose's Mine; small co-operated mines; bathhouse stories; the train to and from Huntly; working a skip tumbler; tricks and characters; a relief fund meeting; reference to Bessie Watson (worked in office); getting manpowered; dangers of being in mine at night; changing shifts. Venue - Huntly Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - 6b Alexandra Street, Huntly Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004407 - OHC-004408 Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 738 - 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.

Date: Circa 1920s

From: Godber, Albert Percy, 1875-1949 :Collection of albums, prints and negatives

Reference: APG-0949-1/2-G

Description: View of a pit pony hauling a wagon from a coal mine, with a coal miner standing beside the wagon. Photographed by Albert Percy Godber. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 4.75 x 6.5 inches

Date: 1959

From: New Zealand Free Lance : Photographic prints and negatives

By: McKay, D J, active 1930s?

Reference: 1/2-067662-F

Description: A mule named Balsen dragging four loaded coal wagons from entrance of the Hunter & Parry private mine. Miner, Bob Naisbitt, stands next to the first wagon. Taken by D J McKay in the West Coast Region. Published in the Free Lance on the 2nd of January 1959. Identity of the mule, the mine, and the miner supplied by Bob Naisbitt, son of the miner (see Feedback 19 June 2007). The Hunter & Parry private mine was situated on the Rewanui railway line about ten miles from Greymouth. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).