(Previously named Rothbury Colliery)

OWNERS:

REFERENCES - MINES DEPARTMENT:

LOCATION:

(A) As shown on page 1284, original Rothbury Colliery tunnel entry headings were on - Portion 26 Parish of Branxton.

(B) This mine (now Branxton Colliery) was on the west side of Highway No. 82. The entrance gates were near North Rothbury Village.

(C) Relation To Neighbouring Mines:

(i) The later "Cwmdu Colliery" and the "Maitland Extended Collieries, Nos. 1 to 6" were to the south almost in a direct line.
(ii) The nearest other coal mines were to the east. These were the Greta Village mines, namely Anvil Creek Colliery, Greta Colliery, Central Greta Colliery, Whitburn Colliery, New Greta Colliery, etc.

DISTANCES:

Because this was the previous Rothbury Colliery, distances are those shown on page 1285.

AREA:

William Humble, an earlier Mines Department Inspector, stated in an article in the "Chemical, Engineering and Mining Review" April 1922 issue that Rothbury Colliery leases was an area of 5,012 acres.

SEAM:

Details of the seam in Rothbury Colliery has been fully described on page 1286.

COMMENCED OPERATIONS:

"Newcastle Morning Herald" newspaper in its issue dated Saturday 19th December 1931 reports that James Ruttley had taken over Rothbury Colliery from 1st January 1932.

A Mines Department report informs that Rothbury Colliery had been renamed "Branxton Colliery", and it had commenced operations on Tuesday 23rd February 1932.

Rothbury Colliery records show that when mining operations ceased on 31st December 1931, it had 15 pit-horses in work. In early January 1932 James Ruttley had selected 5 pit-horses from this team. This did seem to indicate that Ruttley's intention was to operate on a much smaller scale.

James Ruttley despatched his first train of coal production on Tuesday 1st March 1932.

ENTRY:

The entry tunnel headings utilised, were the same as used by Rothbury Colliery (see page 1291).

METHOD OF WORKING:

Very little documentation on Branxton Colliery was found during my research into that mine's workings. Even in the Rothbury Estates papers, information as to working practices at Branxton Colliery is practically non existent. Mines Department records only give minute reference to Branxton Colliery's actual operations.

A few early Rothbury Colliery miners, who were fortunate to be among the total of 30 employees engaged by James Ruttley, gave me a few details. These miners inform that the methods used were similar to those that had been utilised in the original Rothbury Colliery operations. "Jig workings" from the levels to enter bord headings continued. From the information given, it would appear that James Ruttley worked "Pansy" and "Blossom" sections from No. 2 South Level and "Wattle" and "Myrtle" sections from No. 3 North Level. From my study of early mine plans, it does seem certain that James Ruttley did not drive the entry headings deeper. Possibly No. 2 South Level, No. 3 South Level and No. 3 North Level had been extended with a view to forming further jig sections. At the same time extending these levels did give some coal production output.

As stated earlier, Rothbury Estates records shows that 5 pit-horses were purchased by James Ruttley from the Rothbury Colliery team. Under this circumstance, it does appear that production was intended to be only small.

Again from the information given by these old Branxton Colliery employees, coal produced was hauled to the surface in the same manner as under Rothbury Colliery operation (see page 1302). On the pit-top, the skip unloading, coal screening, stone picking, etc. followed the previous Rothbury Colliery methods. James Ruttley hired Rothbury Colliery wooden hopper rail wagons to transport his coal production to Port Waratah.

Mines Department 1932 Annual Report gives a brief statement re a heating and fire in the "Blossom" district in Branxton Colliery, and that working had been transferred temporarily to another section. The Mines Department 1933 Annual Report informs that in February 1933 "stone dusting" had been introduced at Branxton Colliery. In another section of the same report (1933), Branxton Colliery is stated as having fifty electric safety lamps.

It does seem that the use of non union ("scab") labour at Rothbury Colliery, the "Riot", and the continuing miners' resentment to the reduced rates achieved by coal owners, did not greatly improve continuity of working under James Ruttley. In addition the early 1930's had been a period of difficult coal marketing conditions. For a long period in late 1933, and a further period in early 1934, Branxton Colliery was closed and did not produce coal.

MINE HAULAGE:

James Ruttley in his "Branxton Colliery" used the endless rope haulage system installed in Rothbury Colliery on Friday 16th March 1915. This steam powered haulage engine was a unit manufactured by Morison and Bearby of Newcastle. (See page 1302 for details and description of operation).

PIT-HORSES:

In late December 1931, after Rothbury Colliery had issued notices to all its employees, Mr James Ruttley selected 5 pit-horses from the mine's team.

The horses chosen were named:

Nelson, Sailor, Star, Rusty and Dick.

Similar to the Rothbury Colliery mining operations, Branxton colliery pit-horses walked down the travelling tunnel to reach the level on which they were to work.

VENTILATION:

Branxton colliery continued to use the 98 inches diameter Sirocco fan and the James Howden steam engine that powered it, to ventilate the mine. Details of this system under the Rothbury Colliery working are shown on page 1306.

ELECTRICITY GENERATION:

Branxton Colliery used the direct current electricity manufactured by the two 120 kW Ashworth-Parker generators installed by Rothbury Colliery. Details are shown on page 1306.

PUMPS:

The Mather and Platt pump unit installed at Rothbury Colliery during 1920 was the main pump, which was continued to be utilised by Branxton Colliery to remove any troublesome underground pit water. (See page 1308 for details).

RAIL CONNECTION:

Under his lease agreement, James Ruttley had authority to despatch his coal production over the Rothbury Colliery Branch Railway hauled by Government Railway locomotives. The operation of the Branch and colliery sidings was similar to that as under Rothbury Colliery control. See page 1308 for description of layout, etc. First train of Branxton Colliery production was despatched on Tuesday 1st March 1932.

RAIL COAL WAGONS:

James Ruttley appears to have made arrangements with the trustees of Rothbury Estates to hire their wooden hopper rail coal wagons to transport his coal production.

The trustees made a charge of sixpence ($0.06) per ton royalty to all companies, who transported their coal in Rothbury Colliery wagons. My research did not reveal any agreement between James Ruttley and the trustees of Rothbury Estates on this aspect. However a payment of £185-3-0 ($370.30) was made for wagon hire in June 1933. Presumably this was at the same royalty charge for wagon hire as made by other users. This would indicate that for a particular period, James Ruttley had hired approximately 750 rail wagons owned by Rothbury Colliery.

SPECIAL PLANT, EQUIPMENT, ETC.:

Branxton Colliery does not appear to have added any additional plant or buildings to that listed for Rothbury Colliery on pages 1312 to 1318 inclusive.

FIRST COLLIERY MANAGER:

My research has failed to reveal the name of the first (or any) manager in charge of Branxton Colliery.

Mines Department 1910 Annual Report informs that James Ruttley in that year was the owner and manager of "Shortland Colliery" at Adamstown. Ruttley continued to be the manager at Shortland Colliery until 1920. In this year (1920) whilst still the owner, James Ruttley had appointed H. Jubb as colliery manager and H. Croft as colliery under-manager.

One could assume that in the difficult financial times of the early 1930's, James Ruttley would have had the qualifications to carry out a colliery manager's duties, and thereby make a good economy. Admittedly he was not a young man. In 1932 Ruttley was aged 76 years. Perhaps through his mines deputy, he could have had sufficient assistance to have maintained the necessary managerial duties.

BRIEF HISTORY:

Premier T. Bavin of the Nationalist Party State Government, in December 1929 commandeered Rothbury Colliery from its owners, the trustees of Rothbury Estates. In June 1930, after the Miners Federation finally accepted the 12½ per cent reduction in wages, imposed by the Northern Collieries Owners' Association, the State Government returned Rothbury Colliery back to its owners. On Thursday 3rd July 1930, Rothbury Colliery used its own pit employees to resume normal mining operations. For whatever reason, the Rothbury Colliery mining does not appear to have ever been a buoyant financial business. Following the 1930 resumption, these conditions did not improve. On Thursday 17th December 1931, all Rothbury Colliery employees, including the manager, Richard Thomas (Junior), were given notice that the pit would close on Thursday 31st December 1931.

Evidently there had been some earlier negotiations between the trustees of Rothbury Estates and James Ruttley for the lease of Rothbury Colliery. The "Newcastle Morning Herald" newspaper in its issue dated Saturday 19th December 1929 reports that James Ruttley was to take over the lease of Rothbury Colliery from 1st January 1932. Some support for this position is made by the fact that James Ruttley in late December 1931 purchased five pit-horses from the Rothbury Colliery team. The balance of the mine's pit-horses were sold on Thursday 11th January 1932.

During my research of Mines Department records the first reference to "Branxton Colliery" found informed that Branxton Colliery (Rothbury) was to open on Tuesday 23rd February 1932.

Whilst searching Rothbury Estates papers, the first record of a "rent payment" made by James Ruttley was shown on Monday 29th February 1932 for an amount of £83-6-8 ($166.68). Unfortunately the receipt entry did not give details of the period, simply stating "Rent".

On Thursday 29th December 1932 James Ruttley paid Rothbury Estate £50-0-0 ($100.00). Evidently this was Ruttley's share of a total insurance premium paid by Rothbury estates. James Ruttley on Friday 30th June 1933 paid £250-0-0 ($500.00) for six months rent. On Friday 1st September 1933, James Ruttley paid Rothbury Estates £20-0-0 ($40.00) as his share of its total fire insurance premium. On Friday 9th March 1934 paid Rothbury Estates a further £100-0-0 ($200.00) towards its fire insurance premium.

It does seem that this last payment had added to James Ruttley's uneconomic operation of Branxton Colliery. For a large part of late 1933, and for a second period in early 1934, Branxton Colliery had stopped mining operations. With little income from the mine, James Ruttley still had to meet his rent payments. During my research, I found that James Ruttley appears to have paid rent up until Monday 16th April 1934. From that date, it appeared "Royalty" only was paid on coal produced.

Following their loss of employment, there seems to have been some effort made by several small groups or syndicates to win coal along the outcrop on Rothbury Estates. One such small body of miners was organised by Richard Thomas (Junior), who was then residing at North Rothbury. After some discussions, on Wednesday 30th May 1934, James Ruttley agreed to sub-let 60 acres, being an area running north-east along the outcrop, just north of Black Creek. This area was half a mile long and 330 yards wide. Under their agreement made, it appears that James Ruttley was to organise the coal screening, loading for rail despatch, and the marketing. James Ruttley paid the first royalty for coal production from this mine to the trustees of Rothbury Estates on Wednesday 6th June 1934. This new mine had been named "Cwmdu" by Richard Thomas. "Cwmdu" was a very appropriate name for a coal mine on Black Creek because in the Welsh language it means ‘valley black’. This royalty payment was the first reference to "Cwmdu" mine found in the Rothbury Estates papers. Subsequently on Tuesday 4th September 1934, a further payment was made for royalty and wagon hire on 121 tons of "Cwmdu" coal.

It does appear that in the latter half of 1934, James Ruttley did not operate his Branxton Colliery at all, but relied solely on his commissions from the "Cwmdu" coal sales.

Subsequently in the second half of 1934, James Ruttley had some discussions with the trustees of Rothbury Estate. Amongst the Rothbury Estates papers, I found this copy of a letter, dated Tuesday 25th September 1934 from Mr B.E. Drew, trustee of Rothbury Estates to James Ruttley, Wolfe Street, Newcastle. Copy of the contents of this letter are:

Tuesday 25th Sept. 1934

James Ruttley,

Wolfe Street

Newcastle.

Sir,

Following your meeting with Mr W.D.M. Merewether, the trustees make the undermentioned offer to you.

To fasten up all pit mouths,

To run all machinery at Rothbury Colliery at least once every three months. To oil and keep oiled all necessary parts. To grease the haulage rope, and keep greased.

To pay quarterly rent, to commence on the 1st day of October 1934 at a rate of £250-0-0 ($500.00) per annum.

To give a lien to Rothbury Estates on all shares held by you in the Mine-owners Insurance Limited, and to pay all dividends received therefrom, to Rothbury Estates in payment of arrears as at 30th June 1934,

To look after the Colliery, and to protect same from damage and theft.

Should the above be acceptable to you, please advise me.

Yours faithfully

B.E. Drew

Rothbury Estates.

The above letter appears to strongly support my earlier assumptions.

During June 1935 some conferences and discussions were held between Robert W. Miller and the trustees of Rothbury Estates on the possibility of R.W. Miller and Company taking up coal leases in the area south of Black Creek on the Rothbury Estates property. Such arrangement was not to conflict with James Ruttley lease of Rothbury Colliery and the north part of Rothbury Estates. This particular southern area had been the subject of several reports and proposals made for the Rothbury Estates trustees during 1913, when these trustees had sought to form a company to open up and mine this region. (See page 1320 Rothbury Colliery section). Amongst the Rothbury Estates papers, I found a copy of a letter dated Monday 3rd February 1936, from Mr B.E. Drew trustee of Rothbury estates to Inspector Dennis Durham of the Mines Department. This letter informed the Department that Robert W. Miller had leased the south area of Rothbury Estates, bounded by Black Creek, from Wednesday 3rd July 1935, together with the right to use old Rothbury Colliery structures to treat and load coal into rail wagons, and further the right to utilise the Rothbury Colliery Branch Railway.

On Monday 29th July 1935 Henrietta Jane Ruttley was driving her father, James Ruttley to Rothbury Colliery. At the mine property entrance, James Ruttley alighted to open the gates for the passage of the car. As the car moved forward a gate post moved pushing James Ruttley under the car. James Ruttley was seriously injured and was taken to Maitland Hospital. He died there on Friday 2nd August 1935. An inquest (No. 1236) was held at Maitland on Friday 16th August 1935. The Coroner found that the circumstances of death to be purely accidental, and no blame was attached to any person.

James Ruttley was born at Ebbw Vale, Wales. He was aged 79 years at his death. James Ruttley in 1910 had been the owner and manager of Short land colliery. He was very well respected in coal mining circles.

MINE CLOSURE:

Branxton Colliery lease appears to have been terminated as at 1st July 1935.

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