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Jim Wilkie (1910-1981) - Mineworker, Aberdare Central & Hebburn No. 2 Collieries. Recorded 27 June 1978. Part 3/3

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Summary306B Jim Wilkie Recorded 27 June 1978. Part 3/3

0:09
The ebony walking stick given to him by his father in law. It came from Colombo. He used walking stick to test dirt roof.

0:57
"Wilkie's Wand" was the name of walking stick.

1:11
Alec and Dusty Wilson.

1:20
How to detect noxious gasses.

2:23
Standard method of dealing with fires.

2:53
Ben Orr - originally cabled out from a furniture store. He studied and got his ticket and he began as a Deputy. Jim described him as an alert man and kept the Under Manager informed."Nothing is dismissed as unimportant".

4:06
Introduction of roof bolting in mines. The most important thing to safety and production in mines.

5:19
Henry Scanlon.

5:46
Chook Henwood, Ibe Schook, the Farmer brothers, Alf Chalkley, Hilton Edmonds' father, Fred and Stan Creswell, Hill and Simms, Wire Headley were all "cracker jacks" - excellent workers.

7:13
Power boring - transition to mechanised mining. It made the miner's job 80% easier. There was a stop gap between hand mining to mechanised mining.

8:08
Billy Alexander - an old Geordie - he worked as a borer - Jim showed him a 11BU Joy loader - "I should have had him for a mate 50 year ago!"

10:35
Elrington first to use roof bolting - 1948 - first in Australia.

10:56
Bruce McKensey got the idea from USA.

11:30
Description of how roof bolting works.

14:35
Involvement in local mines rescue - Elrington, Aberdare Central.

15:19
Recalls being underground in "proto" - temperatures were 101 deg. The sulphur dioxide used to play war with your eyes. "The heat would completely dehydrate your skin".

16:20
Bert Neill, Curly Dorrington, Chiller Neill (Bert's brother).

18:15
Alf Eaton - there was a euchre party and Big Alf had a "hells own job of pouring oil on trouble water". The Neills, the Schuberts and the Sparkes'.

20:00
Peter and Ronnie Baus.

20:54
Ethel Kirkup, Jim's sister-in-law. She was a school teacher.

22:06
Peter Herrington.

22:53
Recollection of "pink eye", Hebburn No 1 - Pink Eye Tunnel.

23:30
"Pink eye" caused by hydrogen sulphate H2S. Photophobia caused by the inflammation of the eye. First discovered in the sewers of Rome in the 16th Century - also contracted in rayon and nylon factories.

24:06
Ian Stewart.

24:44
Bill Anderson - Mines Department Chief Inspector - Jack Tapp the Miners Check Inspector and Bill Chapman and the staff at Hebburn No 2 - all were instrumental in preventing "pink eye".

25:55
The causes of "pinkeye". By disturbing the coal you release the hydrogen sulphate. The concentration of the smell "would kill you". He was continually getting ulcers cut off his eyes.

28:33
Dr McLellan - "he would treat anyone, any hour of the day or night. Which he did". Some people were more susceptible than others.

29:34
End (Tape 306/Side B) Part 3 of 3 Last edited by: lyn.keily@newcastle.edu.au