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Voices of the Hunter

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Peter Thomson (1897-2001) - Hunter Valley Linesman. Recorded 18 February 1984. Part 2/2.

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SummaryPETER THOMSON
Recorded 18 February 1984
Part 2/2

0:09
Reticulation of electricity in Greta area through Louth Park. Buttai came under the NESCA jurisdiction. No work was done by Peter underground in the mines because he'd have to have had a mines' certificate.

2:54
Ian Hotchkis. Joe McHarg was at Richmond Main for many years. Ken Robinson was also at Richmond Main.

3:27
South Greta Colliery, Farley. Peter, as a boy, drove their endless haulage that haul the coal from the pit top to the screens at the railway sidings. An old Rotary starter.

4:12
Work duties at South Greta Colliery - it was all DC.

5:58
Fred Evans - the engineer.

6:36
Recollection of South Greta seam - it was sloping seam. The stratas vary according to the seams. This one also flooded sometimes. There was steam generation at South Greta with Lancashire boilers. 4 skips were run in a set.

8:50
A.J. Miller

9:36
Harry Thomas - was the manager

9:41
Gryff Thomas was also a manager

9:51
Azariah Thomas He lived near East Greta Junction and when someone's goats were getting into his garden, Azariah came out to have a shot at one of the goats. The goat belonged to one of his friends, not Peter's goat.

11:38
Ivor and Trevor Thomas were Azariah's sons.

11:47
Names of early Greta streets - 2 after these sons. Azariah came to area in about 1892/3 as a young man - he was responsible for mines like Richmond Main. Suburbs like Cemetery Hill and Whitburn came at this time.

13:35
Archie McGilvray

13:50
Recalls electrocution of work mate by a 240v shock. "If I'd have known I would have poured all of heaven's wind into his ribs...if I'd have known". "It's only by the grace and mercy of God that I am here. I've earthed 2,300. I've worked on 11kv. I've handled it up a wire on a pole and got hold of it. I'll never forget."

17:10
Recalls near accidents while working.

19:15
Recalls being electrocuted by 415v - "that shakes you about". "Standing in water on 240v .....it would give you a wallop"

23:03
Recalls electrocution of son-in-law - working with one of the gangs, up a pole making off cable.

25:00
Recollection of reticulation lines.

27:35
Davey Murdoch - Bun Murdoch is his younger brother who was involved in the Caledonian Colliery section.

27:41
Jack Rumford

29:56
Ron Garnham - keen fisherman at Shoal Bay.

30:41
Bert Reynolds

31:46
Recalls working for South Maitland Rail - Jack Delaney was traffic manager for SMR.

31:55
Peter recalls a shunting accident in the engine sheds at East Greta Junction

34:47
Bill Pope, Bill Robinson - train drivers.

38:36
Recalls carting poles by horse & dray in 1923.

38:42
Recollection of early works lorry working at Greta. The lorry had hard rubber tyres, probably a Republic, from the Council who had been using it as a water cart. Earlier he used a one ton truck and later a 30 hundredweight Thornycroft.

40:37
Recalls early method of house wiring - going out on a bike, measuring up the length needed, come back to the store and cut it off the drum, coil it up and go out with swan necks and the necessary insulators etc. They would have to use the householder's ladder, then they'd shin up the power pole with stirrups, taking the cable up with them in their belt. "Necessity was the mother of invention" in these days.

Tape duration: 42:12 Last edited by: Dave Trimble

SubjectElectric power distribution -- New South Wales -- Newcastle -- History.Electric power distribution -- New South Wales -- Hunter Valley -- History.LinesmenElectric linesElectricityZaara Street Power StationMaitland (N.S.W.) -- HistoryLancashire boilersSouth Greta Colliery (N.S.W)Richmond Main Colliery (N.S.W.)Thomson, Peter James, 1897-2001 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

PersonJack Delaney Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Depicts or Relates ToJoe McHarg Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Ian Hotchkis Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Hugh "Bun" Murdoch Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

David Murdoch Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Jack Rumford Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Bert Reynolds - Manager, South Maitland Railways. Recorded 31 January 1979. Part 1/1 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

CreatorThomson, Peter James, 1897-2001Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010CollectionVoices of the Hunter Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Date Created18th February 1984Location^[1]Maitland, NSW Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

^[2]Richmond Main Colliery, NSW Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Identifier285B Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Job Identifier285B

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