Jim "Nipper" McKenzie (1917 - 1988) - Kurri Kurri miner. Recorded 25 November 1981. Part 2/3.

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

0:27
Anecdote about Dave Greenhall, member of East Cessnock Bowling Club.

2:12
Still lots of coal reserves left in Richmond Main. Each manager had pressure to get as much coal as fast as possible, so they went for the easiest to get out.

Now under the Coal Mines Regulation Act practices have changed.

When Fred Chapman was under-manager he was told 'if it cost any money to get to it, leave it there'.

4:17
Athol Lightfoot was getting all the cheap coal in Bellbird.
Wilson Barrett at Little Cessnock also put a cut in under the Pelton branch line and cause a dip in the railway.
Jim recollects mine subsidence in Pelaw Main in 1953. They lost a lot of houses, all on one street.

6:45
Jock McNabb and Herb Alcroft were drinking 'plonk' and the ground went out from underneath them.

7:45
Eric Burgess was driving when the ground disappeared. Tom Boslam was on the couch and left just before the house disappeared.

8:30
Mine accidents. Ken Roderick got killed when Pelaw Main fell in. It was air displacement.

10:26
Richmond Main cage incident. Jack Strachan was the braceman.

15:25
Jack family history of pit tragedies. Jack's grandfather was killed at Pelaw Main.

Jim's grandfather Yates got killed at Pelaw Main. Jim's Uncle Ben Yates got killed at Pelaw Main. Arch Metcalfe (uncle) killed in Richmond Main. Mining as a family trade. "Keep your eye on the job and your ears on the roof". Fatal mining accidents.

19:10
Jim describes a mining rescue he was involved in. "Plugger" Simpson died in the mining accident instantly. Jim led them to rescue other miners. He pulled out Hubert Blackwell but he was already dead.
"Swinger" Hemmingway is one manager that was heroic.

21:47
"Hooky" Perry the last one to die at Richmond. He was a footy player. Reg Boyce had just walked out. Allan Henshaw just got the tail end of it, was pinned down but survived.

24:36
Colin Mackinnon was Sergeant of Police and told the families of the deaths. Jim recalls being "picked up" for bookmaking but made friends with the Police.

29:24
Union action, demonstration and strikes. They went to Sydney to meet Pat Hills, Minister for Mining. In another demonstration they went to Canberra. Only 40 were allowed in. Evan Phillips, General Secretary Miners Federation and Jimmy Hayes, President of the Northern District were there. Also recalls the 1949 and 1955 strikes.

35:32
Some of Jim's and Jack's mates: Ernie Murphy, Tom Dunlop, Bert Stoddard, George Wallace.

37:10
Anecdote involving Jock McNabb at the Empire Hotel, Kurri. Drinking anecdotes. Snacks: pies, pig trotters and raw eggs. Jimmy Galloway ate the raw egg, shell and all. "Skinny" Johns.

40:44
The AIF and location of the "Log of Knowledge", a place to sit and talk. Jackie Oliver 'know-it-all'.

42:15
End (Tape 174/Side B) Part 2 of 3