Coal-mining machinery

Date: ca1940

From: Lewers, Neville Robert, 1913- :Photographic negatives, transparencies and prints

Reference: PAColl-6180-03

Description: Quantity: 77 b&w original photographic print(s).

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: 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: Scurr, David Leslie, 1907-1993

Reference: OHInt-0020/10

Description: David Scurr recalls father who worked as miner in England, South Africa and Australia before New Zealand; father in the 1913 Denniston strike; Golden Queen Gold Mine; flooding in Rotowaro; local Maori; going to school at Huntly; mail; bread and meat deliveries; first car on road from Pukemiro (ca 1920); dances and movies at Pukemiro; reference Mr Munro and establishment of Rotowaro store; delivering goods with horse and cart; first butcher's shop in Rotowaro; brother killed in mine accident; reference mine manager, Mr Ralph Cohen. Talks about various members of family; mining on the West Coast; Ralphs Mine; mothers work as midwife; houses in Rotowaro; Mrs Scurr talks about teaching at Rotowaro School; Maori farming; football; entertainment at Rotowaro; reference Cooper Awa; alcohol restrictions restrictions for Maori; policing the pa. Describes how Pukemiro and other mines were found and established; the Ralph family; Munroe's Store; connection with Pukemiro store; doing deliveries; general store at Seddonville; church and community at Seddonville; working winch at top of mine; spragging wheels; a fire at Rotowaro ca 1923; haircuts; more on West Coast mining; the Huntly Extended Mine; different levels of management jobs and qualifications; mining a 20 foot seam. Discusses old mining techniques; dangers of firing shot improperly; story about manager who became inspector and condemned his own mine; Canadian mining techniques and machinery; future of coalmining; cleaning the boilers at Rotowaro; haulage and installation of transformers to change from direct current to alternating current; farming during the Depression (1930s); clearing the land; learning to farm; problems of mines under farm; problem getting compensation; importance of good rope in mine; working the backshift; problems selling farm. Venue - Huntly Interviewer(s) - Jamie Mackay Venue - 36b Bailey Street, Huntly Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-004398 - OHC-004399 Quantity: 2 C90 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete AB 730 - 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: Possibly between 1930 and 1939

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

Reference: 1/4-038906-G

Description: View of a coal mine on a hill, with railway trucks at the base of the workings. Photographed by Albert Percy Godber. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 3.25 x 4.25 inches

Date: Circa 1900

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

Reference: APG-1519-1/4-G

Description: View of the mine entrance at the Brunner Mine, circa 1900s. Photograph probably taken by Albert Percy Godber. The inscription on this negative is unusual for Godber. There are several other images taken at the same time of Brunner and the mine, all of which have inscriptions in the same hand. See APG-1518-1/4-G, 1/4-039058, 1/4-039115. Inscriptions: Photographer's title on negative - bottom left - Mine Entrance. Brunner For an image of the coke ovens at the Brunner Mine, probably taken at the same time, see APG-1518-1/4. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 4.25 x 3.25 inches

Date: Circa 1900s

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

Reference: APG-1518-1/4-G

Description: Coke ovens at the Brunner Mine, circa 1900s. Photograph probably taken by Albert Percy Godber. This image and several others showing aspects of Brunner and the mine have inscriptions which are unlike other photographs taken by Godber. See also APG-1519-1/4-G, 1/4-039058, 1/4-039115. Inscriptions: Photographer's title on negative - bottom left - Coke ovens. Brunner Mine Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 4.25 x 3.25 inches