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Voices of the Hunter

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Jack Delaney

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Bruce McKensey

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Voices of the Hunter

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Kurri Kurri, NSW

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Jim "Nipper" McKenzie (1917 - 1988) - Kurri Kurri miner. Recorded 25 November 1981. Part 1/3.

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SummaryJim McKenzie reflects on mining techniques and his work experience, while telling entertaining stories of different mining personalities he worked with.

0:31
How he got nickname "Nipper" as a child. His father, John McKensey worked Pelaw Main engine sheds

1:16
He was born in a house in Pelaw Main, 1917. He was President of Stockrington No. 2 Miners Lodge and had words with Bruce McKensey when Bruce was Superintendent.

2:15
First started work at Richmond Main, 1939. where Jimmy Johnstone, manager. Worked at Richmond Main from 1939-57

2:33
Attended Pelaw Main public school. Lived at Fingal Bay during the depression in a 'humpy' made out of driftwood. He then worked on "pit top"at Richmond Main.

4:35
He came into contact with "Whirlwind" Grant working as a surface hand at Richmond Main. Anecdote involving "Whirlwind" Grant (practical jokes). Bobby Ogilvy was the Manager from Pelaw Main.

6:57
"Slasher" Tinlan, anecdote. Chewed the coal. Flowers on Molly Wall's counter.

8:11
Recollection of May Day process. Whirlwind was the drum major. Limericks. Whirlwind used to wear a bowler hat. Whirlwind worked "spragging" the skips also sometimes as a fettler. Recollection of Jimmy Johnstone's dog.

12:03
Anecdote involving "Whirlwind"and "Slasher". They rattled a silver tray and a meat cover for a ticket. Jim worked on surface for four years and underground for the next 25 years. Worked as contract wheeler with pit horses. Recalls the pit horses at Richmond Main.

15:12
More about pit horses. Pit horse named "Dart". Description of "Duck-bill" loader. The horses lived in underground stables.

16:12
The build-up of horse manure underground. More about wheeling. Boss wheeler jacked on derailed skips. Method of "jacking on" skips

20:13
Worked "spare mining" at Richmond Main. Wages. The base rate wage, first class shiftman. Weight of skips.

21:03
More about the mining skips. Terminology. "Iron Dukes", replaced wooden skips. "Rules" of contract wheeling. "Caveled out" every three months. The pillar section was better to work.

24:35
They discuss compressed air boring at Richmond Main. Other mining personalities: Johnny McNamara, Tommy Bain, Billy Roach. Some miners could shovel both hands both ways

26:00
A spare miner could only shovel one way. Size didn't determine whether you were a good miner. Fred Higginbottom and Henry Neal were both small fellows. Harry Dodds was also small. They were all good miners.

27:45
No 8 was the most popular shovel but some preferred a No 7. Bob Rodham was a good miner and good footballer. Jack Hodgson was President of the Kurri Kurri club, also a good miner.

28:53
The Pelaw Main-Richmond Main Miner's Train had open carriages on the J&A Brown private line. They gave you a ride there but not home.

30:37
Mechanisation of Richmond Main. They still used the horses but were employed as scraper/loader/wheelers.

31:14
Wages shift work rates, $3.30. Not much difference to contract rate wheeling. Jim describes how 'scraper loading' and 'duck bill' loading work.

34:08
More mining processes. Unloading the shuttle-cars. The shuttle-car would be underneath a continuous miner. Rubber belt, superseded skips.

37:00
Recalls pit top meeting at Pelaw Main where Jacky Hudson stood up and a kookaburra laughed at him. "Scangy" Clements was crook and had to go to hospital. Ted Wallworth. Stan Jackson

39:10
They discuss witty "skip poetry" that would often end up in the paper. The crime of 'switching tokens'. They talk about accidents involving skips and what the 'boss wheeler' did.

43:16
Different mines deputies: Brian Niam and Del Brown

45:16
End (Tape 174/Side A) Part 1 of 3

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

SubjectMcKenzie, James Wasley, 1917-1988 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Coal mines and mining -- New South Wales Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Richmond Main Colliery (N.S.W.) Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Labor unions Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

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

Depicts or Relates ToBruce McKensey Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

CreatorMcKenzie, James Wasley, 1917-1988 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Delaney, Jack, 1919-2010 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

CollectionVoices of the HunterPlaceKurri Kurri, NSW Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Date Created25th November 1981 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Location^[1]Richmond Main Colliery, NSW Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

Identifier174A Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au

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