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Mrs Holland and Matt Russell discuss early Huntly and Kimihia coal mine, including mining, gum digging and railways.
Part 1 -
Mrs Holland was born in the Thames area, then the family moved to Australia before returning to New Zealand (to Huntly) when she was around five years old. She recalls early Huntly, with only a few wooden buildings, and the rest huts. Mrs Holland and Mr Russell speak about the mines in Huntly, the opening of the Kimihia mine, and Mr Russell later working there.
Mrs Holland remembers the first train arriving in Huntly, and Mr Russell speaks further about the transport of coal, then more details of the workings of the coal mine. Both speak about safety of the mine, and mention the lighting in the mine (naked-flame lamps). There is more on transporting the coal out of the mine, the closure of the mine, and when Mrs Holland’s family took it over.
Part 2 –
Mrs Holland speaks about amusements in early Kimihia, mostly social neighbourhood parties and occasional dances. There is more discussion about the town and local area, and isolation due to the bad roads, particularly in Winter. Mr Russell recalls early Huntly, local Maori, and gum digging (kauri gum). It’s said that gum digging is how the Harris and Ralph coal mines were first discovered – the coal being close to the surface.
Mrs Holland then speaks further about her family running the Kimihia coal mine, and the good quality of it. They used horse-drawn transport, then lorries to transport the coal out. The government later took over the mine.