Mine timbering

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: 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.