Coal mines and mining - New Zealand - Otago Region

Date: 1899 - 1902

From: Various artists :[Addresses presented to R. J. Seddon and Mrs Seddon. 1891-ca.1906]

By: K, J (Artist), active 1902

Reference: D-005-002

Description: Central text panel of praise and welcome, topped by illuminated address, and with monogram of the Otago Coal Miners' Union at the bottom. Decorated mat inset with 6 scenes of coal mines at: Shag Point, Kaitangata (2), Walton Park, Lovells Flat, and Alexandra. Date based on dates of Conciliation and Arbitration Act, Old Age Pensions Act (1898), State Coal Mines Act (1901). The Otago Coal Miner's Union was established ca 1903 Other Titles - To the Right Honorable Richard John Seddon, PC LLD, Premier of the Colony of New Zealand. Inscriptions: Recto - At bottom right of Walton Park and Shag Point insets: J.K.; Recto - top centre - To the Right Honourable Richard John Seddon, PG LLD, Premier of the Colony of New Zealand; Recto - Under each pictorial inset, clockwise from top left: Shag Point, Kaitangata Mine, Walton Park, Lovells Flat, Kaitangata Station, Alexandra.; Recto - Beneath text of addrress, signatures in ink: D. McInnes (President), C.P. Penman (Treasurer), J. Hollows (Secretary), D, Howie, W. Duncan, J. Coulter, T.S. Cairns, W. Alexander, G. Anderson, Adam Thomson, W. Stephenson (Committee). Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Pencil, ink and watercolour (9 insets) in mats 755 x 657 mm.

Date: 1902

From: Various artists :[Addresses presented to R. J. Seddon and Mrs Seddon. 1891-ca.1906]

Reference: D-005-014

Description: Address in top half, and signatures of 19 representatives in bottom half, the whole surrounded by decorative border. Other Titles - To the Right Honourable Richard John Seddon, M.P. Honoured Sir. Inscriptions: Recto - top centre - To the Right Honourable / Richard John Seddon, M.P. / Honoured Sir,; Recto - beneath image - London, June, 1902. Quantity: 1 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Ink and watercolour on board 558 x 433 mm.

Date: 1896

From: Hodgkins, William Mathew 1833-1898 :[Sketchbooks and catalogue of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition, 1889-1890] ca 1860-1893

Reference: E-324-q-2-059

Description: Shows the dark entrance to Kaitangata coal mine, with rail lines leading in. Four workers are sitting at the entrance to the mine waiting for their transport. A further watercolour study on the back shows a miner seated on a box, smoking a pipe Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - Kaitangata mine. Truckers waiting for their return hutches. W M H [artist's intials] Quantity: 2 watercolour(s). Physical Description: Watercolour 155 x 225 mm

Date: Between 1923 and 1928

From: Moore, Robert Percy, 1881-1948 :Panoramic photographs of New Zealand

By: Harliwich, Nicholas John, 1888-1956

Reference: Pan-1940-F

Description: Panoramic view looking down over a paddock of long grass. A single-storeyed wooden house with a picket fence in front is situated on the far side of the road which runs across the image. There are three lorries parked outside a large iron shed on the right. Small cottage on the far right. The road leads up to an open-cast quarry for coal on the left. Stone walls by the road to the quarry and another iron shed. Cart parked in paddock in the left foreground. Taken by Robert Percy Moore. Inscriptions: Marginal notes on negative - N.J. Harliwitch [i.e. Harliwich]. Otago. 4 oils. 2 B&W. Cream house, tin roof. Purple lucere [i.e. lucerne] paddocks in bloom. Tree on left of path lilac bloom. Coalfield, blue grey showing coal at seam. [Lorries?] brown red, brown iron roof.; Marginal notes on negative - 3 3 3 [in list formation] Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Panoramic negative 24.7 x 103.1 cm

Date: 21 Jul 1994

From: Greater Green Island oral history project

By: Currie, John Thomas, 1916-2013

Reference: OHInt-0616/11

Description: John Thomas Currie born at Tinkertown, a mining village near Nightcaps, 1916. Briefly details family background. Talks about the Depression, leaving school aged 14 and first employment at Wairaki mine aged 15 years. Mentions job sharing and explains how it operated. Mentions the gold relief scheme, Central Otago. Refers to closure of Mossbank mine, Moreley Flat after flooding. Recalls explosion at Linton Mine 1939. Also briefly refers to heavy snowfall (1939). Explains that coal mining was an essential industry during World War II and gives details of successful appeal to Manpower Minister, Mr Hunter, joining Scottish Regiment in 1941, training at Forbury Park (Dunedin) and Trentham and sailing for Fiji in 1942. Recalls working for Fairfield Coal Mining Company on return from Fiji and commencing Fernhill mine Abbotsford when Fairfield went out of production. Discusses mine management and how different classes of ticket for managing mines operated. Mentions Mr Barclay and Jim Mair. Describes hazards of gas and refers to `Black damp'. Discusses the amalgamation of Green Island Miners' Union with Kaitangata after 1944. Refers to Bill McDowell, Green Island miners' representative. Other aspects of mining discussed include; health and safety; working relationships underground; the environment and accidents. Talks about importance of 1935 Savage Government. Makes a brief reference to 1951 Watersiders' strike [lockout] and Black Budget 1958. Mentions the Abbotsford slip and popular theories of the causes. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Interviewer(s) - Glenys Whittington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010075-010076 Quantity: 2 C60 cassette(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3361. Photocopies of four b&w photographs: (i, ii & iii) Three views of Green Island Swimming Pool, Opening Day 1960; (iv) Main Rd, Sunnyvale, looking towards Green Island - Old Town Hall on right of road - middle distance ca 1944.

Date: 8 Jun 1994 - 08 Jun 1994

From: Greater Green Island oral history project

By: Tippet, Agnes Reta, 1909-2006

Reference: OHInt-0616/42

Description: Agnes Reta Tippet born Saddle Hill 1909. Gives family background. Recalls being taken to see first electric light at Mosgiel ca 1914. Briefly describes childhood home: fireplaces, coal range, kitchen, water pumped from well, washing of dishes, soap used and Saturday chores. Describes Christmas dinner. Recalls going with father to inspect mine and notes that almost every house belonged to coal miners. Mentions `Old Billy' who grubbed gorse and came in to the house for tea. Also refers to swaggers coming for meals. Other memories include: visits to Coach and Horses Hotel; World War One; Walton School; Influenza epidemic (1918); entertainment at Green Island Picture theatre and brief reference to Kirkland Hall. Refers to ethnic composition. Talks about Fireside club at Green Island and refers to A Hendry. Gives details of own shop `the Christine Frock shop' on main road and own daughters' dressmaking training with Mrs Sutherland. Mentions involvement with C W I (Country Women's Institute) and being a Past President of Memorial Gardens Welfare Committee. Recalls helping out during aftermath of Hunterville Hostel fire (1958). Refers to the changing role of women in the home and change and development in Green Island. Interviewer(s) - Glenys Whittington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010140-010142 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3390.

Date: 2012-2015

From: University of Auckland and National Library of New Zealand: Digital surrogates of New Zealand government agency maps

Reference: Series-6665

Description: Comprises digitised copies of a set of hard copy New Zealand Survey maps originally created by Lands & Survey Department dating between 1883 and 1916. All maps bear annotations and are associated with the Otago Mining District. Quantity: 15 digital image(s).

Date: 26 Jun 1862

By: Lewis, James George, active 1862

Reference: MS-Papers-3441

Description: Land deed for the leasing of land in Otago to Lewis for coal mining Quantity: 1 folder(s) (6 pages). 0.01 Linear Metres.

Date: 1882-1892

By: Kaitangata Relief Fund

Reference: MS-1100

Description: Describes financial investments, particularly in Dunedin and disbursements of the fund set up to care for survivors of a coal mining disaster in Kaitangata, 1879 Source of title - Transcribed Quantity: 1 volume(s) (68 pages). 0.02 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Ms, typescript (26 cm; ½ brown calf, black boards)

Date: 1896

By: Hodgkins, William Mathew, 1833-1898

Reference: A-447-014

Description: A rough preliminary drawing showing the mine workings, including a tall chimney and high pulley, with three men in the foreground, walking towards the viewer Formerly located, loose and folded in four, in Hodgkins family scrapbook E-038-q-2 Quantity: 1 drawing(s). Physical Description: Pencil on lined paper, 209 x 340 mm

Date: 04 Jan 1970

From: Open Country Sound Recordings

Reference: OHInt-0002/291

Description: Letter to Jim Henderson from Alfred Herring, outlining his life. Access Contact - see oral history librarian Venue - Wellington Interviewer(s) - Jim Henderson, presenter Venue - NZBC Studios, Wellington. Accompanying material - Copy of letter at MS-Papers-1239, folder 89 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHT5-0299 Quantity: 1 5" reel(s). 1 event(s). 13 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - other no script available.

Date: 08 Apr 1994 - 08 Aug 1994

From: Greater Green Island oral history project

By: Burt, Catherine Ann, 1912-1995

Reference: OHInt-0616/06

Description: Catherine Ann Burt (nee Barclay) born Green Island 1912. Gives family background. Talks about several coal mines which were served by rail and mentions explosion at Christie Mine and Scurr's mine, also refers to Bun, the mine pony. Describes family home, use of candles and kerosine lamps, making soap from dripping and other domestic chores. Other childhood recollections include: discipline; use of flour bags for clothes; games played by children; Sunday school; Christmas; Peace Day (1918); Green Island School; Influenza (1918) and unemployment project to find gold quartz at Saddle Hill during Depression. Describes community support to those in need and refers to unmarried mothers and widows and how they were viewed. Recalls involvement of Green Island School at New Zealand South Seas Exhibition 1925-1926. Talks about own work in office of J M Fraser and nursing at Chest hospital (Pleasant Valley), giving details of treatment for tuberculosis. Talks about heavy snowfall (1939). Briefly talks about Abbotsford slip. Interviewer(s) - Glenys Whittington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010060-010064 Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 4.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3356.

Date: 11, 19, 25 May 1994 - 11 May 1994 - 25 May 1994

From: Greater Green Island oral history project

By: Green, James Richard, 1922-2010

Reference: OHInt-0616/18

Description: James Richard Green born Abbotsford 1922. Talks in detail about Elizabeth and Edwin Green's (own grandparents) emigration to New Zealand on the `Warrior Queen' in 1868, marriage of James Freeman to Elizabeth Green and involvement in coal mining in Abbotsford, with reference to Messrs Freeman & Doig. Describes Green Island school, including, Fife and Drum band, discipline, dental nurse and games played by boys. Recalls going down the mines during school holidays and describes various aspects of miners' lives. Mentions `black damp'. Refers to a casuality at Freeman's mine. Recalls the aerodrome on the `swamp' and seeing an early aeroplane land. Refers to Captain Bolt. Refers to Jack Hamilton, first Green Island policeman in own memory. Comments on crime, child molestation, rape etc and notes that possibly these occurred but were not brought out in the open as `children did not discuss family business at school'. Recalls first experience with telephone and arrival of electricity to Abbotsford ca 1920s. Discusses World War II - Home Guard, blackouts, manpowering, fear of invasion from Japan, rationing and lists of casualities in the newspaper. Describes courting days and the use of a horse and gig. Recalls appointment as SPCA inspector and talks about a fact-finding visit to other New Zealand SPCA branches. Refers to Mabel Howard. Recalls writing a handbook for inspectors 1968. Explains in detail origins of SPCA in England and first New Zealand SPCA formed in Dunedin in 1882. Mentions animal euthanasia. Recounts a story of an Abbotsford personality, John Davidson, a sea captain. Accompanying material - photocopy of newspaper article on the 100th anniversary of Dunedin's first Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Winter Show... Interviewer(s) - Glenys Whittington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010090-010093 Quantity: 4 C60 cassette(s). 4 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3368.

Date: 30 Jan 1995

From: Greater Green Island oral history project

By: Samson, John Graham, 1927-; Samson, Joy Alfreda, 1927-2009

Reference: OHInt-0616/37

Description: Graham and Joy Samson recall how they met each other at a dance in the Early Settlers Museum. Joy talks about interest in the Samson family history and describes family involvement in coalmining industry and in the meat business. Recalls slaughterhouse being built at Kaikorai Valley and gives details of slaughtering becoming regulated, with reference to D D C. Refers to first shipment of frozen meat which was a failure. Notes that most people worked at the freezing works or at one of the factories, Kempthorne & Prosser (fertilisers), Reid & Greys (farm implements), McLeod Brothers, abbattoirs, iron rolling mills, cement works, tannery and Harraway. Accompanying material - Agreement form for use of photographs etc attached to abstract Interviewer(s) - Grant Rule Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010131 Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3386.

Date: 2 May 1994 - 02 May 1994

From: Greater Green Island oral history project

By: Scurr, Jessie Helen, 1920-2010

Reference: OHInt-0616/38

Description: Jessie Helen Scurr born Green Island 1920. Recalls father's milk delivery; family home,`Myrtle Bank farm', built 1868; schooldays at Green Island school; first dental clinic and first dental nurse, Miss Moir, later Mrs Charles Bell; Sir Charles Smith landing his plane on the `Swamp'; Sunday School and bible class socials; marriage at Green Island Presbyterian Church; party line telephone; dances at St Mark's & Masonic Hall; voluntary nursing training during World War II and farewells for boys going on active service. Recalls husband being involved in coal mining accident at East Taieri. People mentioned include: Mrs McKay (nee Geddes), Logan Johnson (pianist), McLean's Bakery, Mrs Robertson, Mayor Lindsay Miller, Mr Kaler, Cyril Davies, Rata Smellie, Maisie Duncan, Mr Adams, Mr Crawford, Jack Wilkie, May Lindsay, Misses Kirkland, Mr and Mrs Kerr, Robe Thomson, Mr John Leech (singing teacher), Alf Pettit and Roslyn Woollen Mills. Accompanying material - Agreement form for use of photographs etc attached to abstract Interviewer(s) - Glenys Whittington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010132, 010133A, 010134 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 2 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3387A. Photocopies of three b&w photographs: (i) Jessie & Kenneth Scurr 25/12/90; (ii) Thomson family ca 1927 from L: Robe Mr R Thomson, Grant, Anna, Gordon, Tom, Jessie Mrs J Thomson holding Blair; (iii) Mrs Armour's Sunday School Class ca 1930 (names given)

Date: 2 May 1994 - 02 May 1994

From: Greater Green Island oral history project

By: Scurr, Kenneth Dudley, 1920-2001

Reference: OHInt-0616/39

Description: Kenneth Dudley Scurr born Wellington ca 1920s. Recalls going underground (mining) at age of 16 years and obtaining Deputy Manager's certificate aged 23 years. Explains pilloring of coal, hazards and describes in detail when self was buried in mine collapse in 1943 (East Taieri). Briefly explains how coal was removed and transported to outside. Talks about involvement with Abbotsford slip and gives opinion on evacuation proceedure following slip. Talks briefly about own farming involvement. Comments on possible causes of recent Fortex Freezing Works closure (Feb 1994) and talks about future of Fortex. Refers to Burnside Freezing works. Accompanying material - Agreement form for use of photographs etc attached to abstract Interviewer(s) - Glenys Whittington Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-010133B Quantity: 1 C60 cassette(s) (side two). 30 Minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-3387B.

Date: 1852

From: Mantell, Walter Baldock Durrant 1820-1895 :[Sketchbook, no. 1] 1851-1852

Reference: E-332-044

Description: Includes notes detailing facts of expedition; progress times and bearings. Also identifies Gaiter [?] Cliffs; Pukewhinau coal. The location appears to be close to the gorge of the Waitaki River Other Titles - Saturday Inscriptions: Recto - bottom left - title and notes giving details of expedition - Gaiter [?] cliffs - Pukewhinau coal Quantity: 1 drawing(s). Physical Description: Ink and wash 185 x 229 mm (side on)

Date: 1925

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

Reference: APG-1054-1/2-G

Description: Coal being loaded from coal mine wagons through chutes onto railway wagons at Saddle Hill, Dunedin. Taken by Albert Percy Godber in 1925. Original print in album PA1-q-102, p 225. Inscriptions: Album page - Loading coal. Saddle Hill. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 6.5 x 4.75 inches

Date: Circa 1926

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

Reference: APG-1074-1/2-G

Description: View of the Castle Hill Mine at Kaitangata, with the township in the background. Photographed by Albert Percy Godber circa 1926. Original print in Godber Album Vol 109, p 237 (PA1-q-102) Inscriptions: Album page - Castle Hill Mine. Kaitangata. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 4.75 x 6.5 inches

Date: [190-?]

From: Lamond, G (Miss), fl 1966 :Postcards

By: Muir & Moodie (Firm)

Reference: PAColl-6338-03

Description: View of Kaitangata from the hill above the coal mine, taken ca 1900s by Muir & Moodie Inscriptions: Recto - top left - 4979 P. C. View of Kaitangata & River from Hill above the Mine; Verso - bottom left - Issued by Muir & Moodie Dunedin N.Z. from their Copyright Series of Views Quantity: 1 b&w photo-mechanical print(s). Physical Description: Postcard