Material Type

Recording

Date Range

1993

Physical Condition

Excellent

Acquisition Source

Sir Alexander Galt Museum

Scope and Content

1 VHS t-120. Length: 44 minutes.julius peta talks about coal mining.see attached for summary of the tape. He started mining at the No. 6 mine in 1931 at the age of 16. First job was a trapper which he describes the duties of. Other positions he held were pony driver and loader. He eventually got his miners, pit boss, and fire boss papers. - Following the closure of No. 6 he worked at Rollingstone Mine for 2 years, and then Kerralta Mine for 2 years where he was mine foreman. Following this he went to No. 8 where he started as a fire boss, moved to mine examiner, and finally section boss. He describes the duties of these positions. He was at No. 8 until it closed in 1957, then took a fire boss position at Shaughnessy Mine for 1 year. Describes the duties of the shot lighter and fire boss positions. Talks about the test he took to get his fire boss papers. - Discusses acceptable and unacceptable gas levels in the mines. If gas was detected the booster fans were turned on. He describes the booster fans. - Discusses mining tools and equipment. - Talks about blasting in the mines. - A new miner was required to put a deposit of $27.00 on his mining tools, ie 3 picks, an auger, mine shovel, press board, an axe, and a sledge hammer. If the tools were returned in good shape the deposit was refunded. - Talks about miners' lanterns, methane detectors, and changes in equipment and technology. - Talks about hours, wages and payroll deductions. - Talks about the miners union. - Discusses social activities arranged for or by the miners - picnics, ball teams, family life.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

19971067010

Collection

Archive

Less detail