Looking across to Glencoe mine from the Marburg track 1930
Rosewood History
The Glencoe Colliery
Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld), Saturday, 18 August 1906, page 14
GLENCOE COLLIERY. Messrs Hall, Limited, proprietors of the Glencoe Colliery, are to be congratulated upon the success which has attended their enterprise. They have received very good orders, and carters are kept busy-in fact, the proprietors are unable to obtain sufficient of them for their needs, and have been obliged to decline some orders. The coal is reported to be of very good quality. I believe that an analysis of it has already appeared in your columns.
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Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld), Thursday, 4 April 1907, page 2
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Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser (Qld), Tuesday, 28 April 1908, page 4
ROSEWOOD COAL. The residents of Rosewood and more particularly the business people of the township, will be interested in the application, by Halls Limited, (Glencoe Colliery) for permission to run a tramway along one of the roads to connect their colliery with the railway line. A considerable sum has been spent by the company in developmental work, and they are anxious to get direct railway communication with the pit in order that they may expand their business. For months they have been anxiously waiting or meeting of the Rosewood Shire Council to take place so that their application might be dealt with.
Hitherto they have been handicapped for facilities for want of facilities for transporting the coal to market. All fuel that has been disposed of has to be conveyed from the pit to the railway in horse-waggons, and then shovelled into trucks. This, of course, is expensive method of handling the coal. It has another disadvantage in that, as a result of so much shovelling, the coal breaks, and consequently depreciates in value. Despite the difficulties under which the company are working, the average output of late has been 1500 tons per month, and their wages sheet totals about £500 per month.
They confident that in the event of their getting direct railway communication with the mine, their output will soon be greatly increased. The district will then benefit from the fact that a larger sum would be paid in wages; there would be considerably more money in circulation in the township and district. It is estimated that the line will cost about £6000 to construct. Unless the company secure permission to build the line, it is highly probable they will close down the pit.
(This was approved.)
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Saturday, 8 October 1910, page 6
THE GLENCOE COLLIERY, ROSEWOOD.
This colliery is nicely situated, about a mile and a half from the Rosewood railway station, on the property of Mr. William Domrow, and is being worked on a royalty lease by Halls Limited. The manager of this company is Mr. W. Potts. The tunnel is driven in to the extent of 116 yards; but the underground workings are at present confined to what is termed No. 1 seam of coal, at a depth of 86 yards. Thirty yards further No. 2 seam has been opened out, but its future developments are kept in abeyance until the completion of a railway siding (20 chains in length), connecting with the Rosewood-Marburg railway, the first sod of which new line is to be turned very shortly.
The existence of two other seams of coal-termed Nos. 3 and 4 respectively-have been proved and prospected, the fuel from which is stated to be of a first-class cannel quality. In addition to this tunnel, there is a shaft sunk to a depth of 100ft, in which a seam of splendid coal 7ft 6in in thickness has been won, and is situated half-a-mile from the present workings; but further operations are being deferred until the railway line above referred to has been started.
There is also on this site an air-shaft sunk to a depth of 96ft. Some 14 hands are employed, and 50 tons of mineral are raised from a the tunnel to the loading-stage, from which it is carted to the main line, in the vicinity of the railway station, a distance of a mile and a half, and on rival there the fuel has to be shovelled from the drays into the railway trucks, an operation which necessitates much manual labour. Could not the Railway Department introduce some labour-saving appliances her ?
The expenses in cartage wages alone run up to a large figure during the year-in round numbers, amounting to probably £600. This, added to the railway freight necessary to get the coal to the metropolitan market, has had the effect of late of lessening the output from the Glencoe Colliery-not, it was particularly emphasised, because of any falling-off in the quantity of fuel obtained below. In short, the necessity for better facilities for loading purpose at the railway siding has long been apparent, and the lack of these has had the effect of hampering the efforts of the Glencoe Company to a great extent.
Two years ago a railway siding to connect this colliery with the main line, was surveyed, but the prospects of the Rosewood-Marburg branch-line being constructed offered better facilities, so far as the colliery was concerned, and the proprietary thereupon determined to use all their influence in assisting to push the construction of that branch-line ahead as quickly as possible.
The coal obtained at the Glencoe Colliery is spoken of as being admirably adapted for gas-making purposes, for which there is a good demand, and it is likewise greatly sought after for household requirements in Brisbane. Under certain conditions it has proved itself to he a splendid steam coal.
The seam now being attacked is 4t 3in in thickness, and is said to be the easiest worked, from a collier’s point of view, of any other seam in any part of this State.
This colliery wars opened in 1906 by Mr. J. F. Hall, who was assisted by Mr. W. Potts. With the advent of the Rosewood-Marburg Railway, it is proposed to introduce more up-to-date machinery. Indeed, the situation of the colliery lends itself admirably to the installation of the most modern system of haulage and surface equipments, and should the intentions of the present company be given effect, it will mean a great impetus towards the future prosperity of the Rosewood district generally, and to the township of Rosewood in particular.
I again inquired as to the reason for the decrease in the output of the fuel, as given in the statistics supplied by the Railway Commissioner in his last annual report, and I was informed that that was purely and simple owing to the charges made in getting the coal to market: but it was anticipated that this obstacle would he overcome when direct railway communication was established between the collier, and the metropolis.
Is there, though, any other coal mine in this State at any rate, situated in more lovely surroundings than the site of the Glencoe Colliery? A magnificent open view of the Rosewood agricultural centres. as well as of the distant mountain ranges, may be obtained from the Glencoe. It is an ideal spot.
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Brisbane Courier (Qld.), Wednesday 22 February 1911, page 5
SH0RTAGE OF CARTERS,
GLENCOE COLLIERY CLOSED DOWN.
ROSEWOOD, February 21.
Mr. J. F. Hall, managing director of the Glencoe Colliery, advised the men to day that all work would have to be stopped and the mine shut down tor an indefinite period owing to the scarcity of carters for hauling the coal to the Rosewood Railway Station. At present there is only one team available, and the manager states this is entirely inadequate for coping with the orders There is now a considerable quantity of coal above ground waiting to be removed. Negotiations have been entered into with the Railway Department for putting down a siding from the Marburg line, and it is hoped here that there will be a successful outcome, so that such a valuable asset to Rosewood will not be lost for a lengthy period.
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Brisbane Courier (Qld), Wednesday, 12 July 1911, page 5
GLENCOE COLLIERY STRIKE.
No Fresh Developments. July 11.
There are no fresh developments in connection with the strike of miners at Glencoe Colliery, Rosewood, which was reported in this morning’s “Courier.” Mr D Gledson (secretary) of the Colliery Employees’ Union), stated that owing to the drivers of the teams refusing to draw loads over the crossing, which had not been ballasted, the miners decided it was no use starting work. The man over whom the trouble has arisen started for home, and the manager thereupon told him he had better lift his tools as well.
(The remainder of the men told management that unless he was reinstated they would not resume work.)
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Brisbane Courier (Qld.), Thursday 13 July 1911, page 8
The strike still remains unsettled at Glencoe Colliery but the management have employed new men and as a result a steady output is being maintained. The railway siding is completed and the coal will now be railed direct from the pithead.
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Observer and Evening Brisbane Courier (Qld), Thursday 27 July 1911, page 4
ROSEWOOD. July 25
Both Sides Firm. The miners are still idle, and assert their confidence in their cause, while on tho other hand the mine is working and maintaining an average output. As no outside influence is being sought to aid a settlement it appears to be a question of which side will hold out the longest.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Tuesday 8 August 1911, page 4
Glencoe Colliery miners are still on strike. Mr. Lewis M’Donald (general secretary of the C.P.E.) visited the mine on Saturday, and had a consultation with the proprietors and Mr. Alex M’Lean. It is rumoured that some overtures were made for a settlement of the trouble, and there appears to be a likelihood of some arrangement being made during the present week, so the matter may be referred to arbitration, when it is said to be likely that a settlement will be effected. It is a regrettable fact that the trouble has been allowed to become so prolonged as it is a matter of some considerable loss to the town as well as to those most concerned. There appears to be reasonable grounds for stating, that with the present railway facilities to the pit, a very substantial increase on the old output could be made. This is what the town expected as a result of the line to Marburg, and it is certainly a pity that the trade is not developed to its fullest extent with all possible haste, so that all concerned would profit to some degree by the better mode of transit that now obtains.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Wednesday 23 August 1911, page 2
GLENCOE COLLIERY STRIKE. The strike at Hall’s Ltd. Glencoe Colliery still remains unsettled. The mine is, however, working with the available non-union labourers, who are at present doing more than they can get railway trucks for, and the manager (Mr. M’Lean) stated yesterday that only 40 per cent of the orders for waggons was supplied by the Railway Department.
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Brisbane Courier (Qld.), Monday 4 September 1911, page 6
The Rosewood W.P.O.
At a special meeting of the Rosewood W P O , held on Friday night, the trouble winch had recently existed in the organisation arising out of the Glencoe Colliery dispute was the principal matter of business. Mr. P. Madden, jun. presided, and Messrs W. J. R. Maughan, MLA, Lewis M’Donald, D. Gledson, R. Campbell, and a large number of members of the organisation were also present. The president announced that on the advice of the C.P.E. previous action in respect to Mr. M’Lean’s membership had been rescinded, and the case would be reopened. Mr. M’Lean had been notified of the meeting, and was present to be heard an explanation of his action in connection with the trouble at the mine. A motion to expunge Mr. M’Lean’s name from the roll of membership was moved and protracted evidence was taken on both sides of the dispute. aAfter considerable discussion on the various points at issue, Mr. M’Lean made a statement that the places of the men who came out of the colliery in support of the man who was dismissed were ready for them whenever they wished to return, and that it Boyle made application for employment he would he put on. Further discussion on the position took place until a late hour, and the motion for Mr. M’Lean’s exclusion was negatived, and Mr. M’Lean retains his membership in the organisation.
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Brisbane Courier (Qld), Wednesday 15 November 1911, page 5
GLENCOE COLLIERY DIFFICULTY
RAILWAY CHARGES REDUCED.
PIT TO BE REOPENED.
ROSEWOOD, November 14.
A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held last night to consider the position in regard to the closure of the Glencoe Colliery owing to the heavy charges imposed by the Railway Department. The members present were Messrs. A. S. Ogg, E. Bulcock, Alex. Grant, W. J. Bennett, D. Akes, E. A. Maher, John Pender, and J. P. Walsh. Mr. H. M. Stevens M.LA., was also in attendance. It was decided to ai range for a deputation consisting of Messrs. H. M. Stevens, M.L.A., W. II. Ruhno, E. Bulcock, and E. A. Maher to wait on the Railway Department officials with a view to having the charge reduced.
The Traffic Superintendent of the Railway Department (Mr. J. W. Davidson) and the Assistant Traffic Manager (Mr. J. Carmody) arrived here by railway auto-car today to confer with Mr. J. P. Hall (managing director of the Glencoe Colliery Proprietary) on the matter of the disputed charges for cartage of coal on the Marburg branch. After consideration Mr. Davidson agreed to reduce the charge to 6d. per ton haulage on the Marburg branch from both Glencoe and the Excelsior pits. This reduction was deemed satisfactory and the Glencoe Colliery will resume operations tomorrow. It is also probable that the Excelsior mine will commence a steady output. The visit of Mr. Davidson rendered it unnecessary for the deputation to go to Brisbane on the matter.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Friday 2 February 1912, page 6
THE ROSEWOOD MINERS. On Wednesday (writes our Rosewood correspondent) a representative from the Glencoe Colliery was present at the mass meeting of miners at Bundanba. After his return a meeting was held, and the Glencoe miners decided that they would join with the Bundanba men in going out on strike. The miners working at the Excelsior Colliery are also out, although I understand they do not belong to the Miners’ Union.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich), Wednesday, 26 June 1912, page 6
THE GLENCOE COLLIERY
This colliery is situated about a mile and a half from the Rosewood railway station, and it is nestled in the midst of most picturesque scenery.
“Ever charming, ever new,
When will the landscape tire the view?”
Truly, Nature’s heart beats strong amid those sunlit hills! Lovely Glencoe! Just fancy one, while “drinking in” the beauty of the verdant hills far away, being disturbed by the remark, “Hallow! What are you gaping at?” The outlook from the Glencoe Colliery is indeed pretty. The property is owned by Mr. William Domrow, and is worked on a royalty lease by Halls, Limited, the secretary of which is Mr. J. F. Hall, and the manager Mr. Alexander M’Lean.
The completion of the Rosewood-Marburg branch line, extending from which is laid right up to the chutes at the Glencoe Colliery, has, I was informed, been of the greatest advantage to the Glencoe proprietary. The siding cost £1250, and the facilities since gained have enabled the proprietors to promptly execute any orders entrusted to them. The coal is drawn out every morning and conveyed to its destination the same day. Interviewing the manager (Mr. M’Lean), I was informed that business was middling, and that 32 hands were employed. The out-put of fuel averaged about 1500 tons a month. “They were,” remarked Mr. M’Lean, “badly supplied with railway trucks, especially as regards F and H (flat) waggons.”
Much developmental work has been carried out in the underground workings since my previous visit, and four distinct seams of coal are now being attacked, whereas, at the time I was at this colliery, some 12 months ago, only No. 1 Seam was being tapped, giving employment to 11 hands. Now, as stated above, there are 32 employees. Larger chutes have also been erected; and this colliery, which was opened six years ago by Mr. J. F. Hall, now presents a busy appearance.
The coal won from the Glencoe property is spoken of as being admirably adapted for gas-making purposes, and there is a good demand for it by the several fuel depots in Brisbane. Indeed, it is stated that the Glencoe Colliery does quite a large house-coal trade in the metropolitan area, and, from a collier’s point of view, the Glencoe seams are very easy to work.
Mr. M’Lean informed me that he is likewise experimenting in the making of coke. He showed me several small samples turned out from a primitive furnace which he has erected. As to its being a success, Mr. M’Lean would offer no opinion, for to make marketable coke from this coal would rather upset old-time theories as to its nature, one authority stating that the character of the coals west of Ipswich “partakes more of the nature of cannel coal; they are non-bituminous-they do not coke,” &c. Mr. M’Lean intends however, to try what he can do in the making of coke from the Glencoe coal. If his efforts are successful so much the better for the company; if he does not succeed, no great loss will be sustained. The cannel coal will still be there, and a very long life is in view of he Glencoe Colliery.
Before I left Rosewood that afternoon, I was “captured” by Mr, Hall by means of the telephone. I had called in at the office of the “Rosewood Register” and had just left, when that office was rung up with an inquiry, “Have you seen Mr, So and So?” That was your humble servant, and a sweet voice (that of a young lady) hailed me back with the request that “I was wanted on the phone,” and that was how Mr. Hall and I met and conversed.
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Brisbane Courier (Qld.), Monday, 1 February 1915, page 6.
For some months a fire has been smouldering near Glencoe mine, Rosewood. On Saturday it broke into flames at the pit-head, causing much damage to the chutes and staging. An F. G. waggon loaded with coal was destroyed by fire. lt is feared that the fire will extend to the shafts.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Wednesday 20 May 1925, page 6
THE GLENCOE COLLIERY. Glencoe mine is the oldest in the Rosewood district, and it was opened about 15 years ago. The original pit, situated about half a mile along the Marburg railway line, from Rosewood, has been closed down for some time, and Glencoe Nos. 2 and 3, situated nearby, have also been closed.
Messrs. Potts Bros., six members of an old coal-mining family, some years ago acquired the sub-lease of the mining rights from the proprietors, Messrs. Halls Limited, and for sometime they worked No. 3. When that pit was worked out, they opened up a tunnel about 100 yards to the north of the railway loading stage, and they have been working there for four years.
At present the brothers, assisted by two employees, are producing about 24 tons of coal per day, and are working practically full time. The seam they are operating is about 3 feet 6 inches to 3 feet 9 inches thick, with a band of stone, about an inch and a half thick. No difficulty is experienced, however in separating the stone from the coal, and no explosives are used. Orders for locomotive purposes are supplied, and the coal has been found excellent for making gas and for house purposes.
The coal is being obtained at a depth of about 100 feet vertical. Some water is found in the pit, and this is cleared away in skips. Ventilation is provided by means of a furnace, and an air shaft. There are three seams at this spot, and, with a view to tapping a lower one, the brothers have started the sinking of a new shaft near the loading stage. A tram line conveys the coal from the tunnel now worked to the loading stage, and steam power is used. The mine is worked under the management of Mr. John Potts.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Saturday 23 July 1927, page 13
Glencoe Colliery Company has driven a tunnel down to a workable seam, which is situated about 160 yards from the mouth of its present working tunnel. Development work is in progress.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Tuesday, 15 July 1930, page 4
GLENCOE’S START.
Only 20 years ago coal mining had its start in the district, and the mine with which history was made, Glencoe, is still working. The original pit, situated about half a mile along the Marburg railway line from Rosewood, was closed some years ago, but other tunnels have since been worked with success. Messrs. Halls Limited were responsible for the initial effort. In their time haulage of waggons from the pit was a job for horses, but more efflcient mining methods were soon adopted, and many improvements have been made in the interval. The sanme lead has been followed by all mining people in the district, and the effort to keep abreast of modern practice is evidenced by the fact that at several pits in the last couple of years big sums have been spent to improve loading facilities.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Tuesday 12 September 1944, page 5
ROSEWOOD MINING APPLICATION
In the Mining Warden’s Court yesterday, before Mr. R. H. Allen, an application was made by Halls Ltd. for Mining Lease (Coal) No. 187, constituting part of John street, situated in Rosewood.
Mr. M. P. Pender (Messrs. Pender and Pender) appeared for the applicant company.
John Potts, Matthew-street. Rosewood, mine manager and agent for Halls Ltd., the applicant company, said the application was lodged on August 8, 1944, add the position had been marked out with four posts, bearing the necesesay inscription. The lease was required so that coal could be mined under part of Portion 357B, which had been secured. Halls Ltd. would be the only mining people affected by the lease, because they held the property on either side. Mr. Allen said the application would be recommended for the approval of the Minister for Mines.
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Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld), Friday, 18 November 1949, page 1
Coal Mine Closure Order.
IPSWICH, Thursday.- Because iron or steel rails cannot be obtained, Glencoe No. 3 mine at Rosewood was ordered to be closed from tomorrow. This will mean that 20 miners will be unemployed and about 55 tons of coal a day lost. The mine has wooden rails, but under the 1947 amended Coal Mining Acts they are prohibited on the haulage of wheeling roads in the mines. After an inspection today, the Ipswich district mines inspector (Mr. J. Taylor) ordered that the mine be closed until suitable rails were obtained. It is likely that other mines in the Rosewood district will he similarly affected. Miners find that pushing of empty skips on up grades is much harder where wooden rails are in use.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.) Thursday 29 March 1951, page 8
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Saturday 1 September 1951, page 2
APPROVAL OF MINING LEASE RECOMMENDED.
An application by Messrs. Halls Ltd. for mining lease No. 313 was recommended for approval, subject to survey, by Mr. Fowler, S.M., in the Mining Warden’s Court yesterday. The lease covered an area of approximately 156 acres in the County of Churchill, Parish of Walloon.
For the applicant company, Mr. P. Pender (Messrs. Pender and Pender) tendered declarations and documents, and copy of an agreement regarding compensation for surface rights. Operations uncier the lease are to be restricted to a minimum depth of 70ft. from the surface.
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Queensland Times, Thursday, 7 August 1952, page 2
Mine Closed at Rosewood.
Workings at the Glencoe Colliery Rosewood, which were closed on Monday because of fire, have been sealed off and the tunnel will be abandoned. Some of the miners employed at the pit have received dismissal notices, the Assistant Secretary of the Q.C.E.U. (Mr. R. James) said yesterday. According to union records 25 members are employed at Glencoe. A number of these will be retained to start a tunnel for a new mine and to work on an air shalt. The new tunnel will be driven about 40 yards to the coal seam. It will be reached from the same pit-top as the old workings, but will run at a different angle. Several seams have been worked at Glencoe since the pit was opened about 1904.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.) Saturday 7 February 1953, page 10
© Jane Schy, 2025