Rosewood History
The Lanefield Colliery
Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Wednesday 17 July 1918, page 3
New Coal Mine. Mr. J. M. Bruce, who until recently, held a lease of the Glencoe Colliery, has opened up a new mine at Lanefield on Mr. Crane’s property, where a good seam of coal 5ft 8in thick has been found.
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Brisbane Courier (Qld.), Thursday 13 February 1919, page 5
ROSEWOOD, February 12.
There has been great activity in local coal mining circles during the past week. Mr J. Bruce is reported to have disposed of his mine at Lanefield to a company operating also at Bundamba. Another firm is opening up a fresh mine on Mrs Bade’s farm, and a third firm is to start operations shortly on the railway reserve at Lanefield, where other options have also been secured. The Lanefield coal has produced a first-class steam coal, but until a siding is put down the output will be limited.
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Warwick Daily News (Qld), Friday 28 February 1919, page 6
COAL AT ROSEWOOD.
As a coal producing district the Rosewood area seems to be coming to the fore with a good sharp flash (says the “Queensland Times'”). For some years the Glencoe colliery on Perry’s Knob has been producing an excellent variety of coal. A number of improvements, including a new shaft, have been carried out in recent times, and the output of coal has been well maintained. The quantity brought away by the coal train seems to bear that statement out.
Lanefield, apparently, is offering just at present a rather attractive field for prospecting purposes, and some excellent results have been obtained. For some time past Mr. J. Bruce has been working a seam situated on a property about one mile from the Lanefield station. It has been stated that the Railway Department and other coal users have reported in glowing terms of the quality of the product; and the volume of orders received is said to have exceeded the present output. Recently Messrs. Wrights, of Tivoli, secured a lease of the property, and it is understood that they intend to go in for further developmental work. They have the rights over a considerable area of land, and it is expected that before long a railway siding will have been constructed to the pit. Mr. Bruce is said to have put down substantial workings, and it is hoped that the results will justify expectations.
This does not comprise the whole of the coal area which the district is said to contain from a coal mining point of view. Recently Messrs. William Want and Charles Walker lodged an application, under the regulations, for a lease of the railway reserve at Lanefield, containing about 40 acres, adjoining the railway station, and it is thought that, ere long, work will be commenced.
The management of the Rhonnda Colliery is also reputed to have decided to commence operations on a property close to the railway station, so it seems that Lanefield, as part of the Rosewood district, will add to its fame as a prolific farming and dairying district by its production of wealth from underground, as well as overground.
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Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld.), Wednesday 5 May 1920, page 3
COLLIERY CLOSED DOWN
Ipswich, Tuesday – The Lanefield coal mine owned by Mr. Bruce of Lanefield, and worked by Messrs. John Wright & Co (Ipswich), had been closed down. It is understood that the reason is that Messrs. Wright & Co had an option over the property, which expired at the end of April, and the company did not go on with the purchase. Lanefield coal is admitted to be equal to the majority off coal seams in the West Moreton district.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Monday 13 December 1920, page 4
PARTNERSHIP DISSOLVED. The following partnership has been dissolved:—John Wright and Co. (Elizabeth A. Wright, John Wright, and Andrew Wright) Tivoli, Oakey, and Lanefield, colliery proprietors— Elizabeth A. Wright ceased to be a member, by death, October 29th.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Monday, 29 January 1923, page 4
REGISTERED FIRMS. The following firms has been registered:- Lanefield Collieries; proprietors, John M. Bruce and Arthur J. Loveday.
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Daily Mail (Brisbane, Qld) Thursday 3rd May 1923, page 12
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Brisbane Courier (Qld), Wednesday, 14 January 1925, page 11
The Lanefield collieries disposed of their Walloon colliery to the Clydebank Company. Mr. Walter Richardson is now managing at Lanefield.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Wednesday, 20 May 1925, page 6
WEST MORETON COAL.
LANEFIELD AND ROSEWOOD MINES.
A DISTRICT WHICH MAY BE DEVELOPED.
RAILWAY COMMUNICATION A NECESSITY.
Lanefield is practically a new coal district in the West Moreton but the mines there have been developed to such an extent that it is considered that there are possibilities, at industries develop in Queensland, of large collieries being· established there. The quality of coal has been favourably commented upon by customers.
Very little is being done in the Rosewood district at present, but here too, mining men consider that the industry has not been fully exploited. A feature of operations in both the Lanefield and Rosewood districts is the fact that no explosives are used in the pits.
Lanefield was first placed on the map of colliery districts by the present proprietors of Lanefield Collieries- Messrs. J. M. Bruce and A. J. Loveday, about eight years ago. A bore was sunk by them in Mr. M. Crane’s paddock (later owned by Mr. E. O’Donnell), and the indications, being particularly encouraging, it was decided to put down a tunnel. Mr. Bruce went to Lanefield after years of experience on the Bundanba field, and Mr. Loveday, who was an accountant at Rosewood, was able to render valuable service on the business side. The tunnel was situated about half a mile to the north of the Lanefield railway station. ‘A shaft was also sunk on the same property. For a period of about 12 months, Messrs. Wright Bros., of Tivoli, held the lease of the pit, but with that exception it was worked by Messrs. Bruce and Loveday up to about 18 months ago. At that time they ceased operations in O’Donnell’s paddock, and removed to a site in Mr. C. Wraight’s property adjoining, the property on which the original tunnel was sunk. Here it was found that the coal was of a very satisfactory quality, and conditions were conducive to obtaining it at very reasonable cost.
Mr. Walter Richardson, originally from the Bundanba field, is the manager , and at present there are 20 men employed at the mine which is being worked practically every day, and is producing an average of 60 tons daily. The partners have secured the mining rights of about 500 acres of land in the vicinity. The coal produced is favourably commented on by customers, and there is every indication of a large deposit. When industrial conditions improve and railway connection is established, the prospects of development are excellent. At present, however, the partners are content to work on an economical, if limited scale. Their immediate needs include better loading facilities at the railway station, and more regular supply of coal waggons. They do not complain in this respect, however, and one partner remarked recently to a “Queensland Times” representative that the railway officials had been very considerate, and had done their best for the colliery. The building of a railway line to the pit or a tram line is also in view.
At present, the coal is loaded from a chute into horse waggons, and conveyed along a road, which is depressingly bad in wet weather, to the station. The loading is a simple matter, as the coal is run into the waggons from the chute, but unloading into the railway waggons involves a good deal of time and labour. The work is done by contract at present, and the contractors are local residents.
GOOD STEAM AND GAS COAL.
The coal seam that is being worked is at a depth of 100 feet.vertical, and is 5ft 6ins. to 6ft. 6ins. thick. It has been certified as a good steam and gas coal, and is of quick-flaming quality. It is a fairly hard coal, and therefore does not suffer seriously from the handling it receives before it reaches the consumers. No screening or washing plant is necessary to keep the coal clean. It has a band of stone, but it is a creamy colour, and easily distinguished from the coal, which means that only practically clean coal is loaded without the need for any machinery for picking or washing. The coal is obtained comfortably by the use of picks, and explosives are not required in the mine. Even without explosives, the men make very satisfactory returns on the piece work system. One of the difficulties which has to be contended with is the presence of water in the mine, and it is necessary to pump about 1000 gallons a day; but big roadways below are arranged to absorb a certain quantity, so that the work of coal-getting is not held up from this cause. Steam power is provided at this pit. Excellent ventilation is obtained by natural means, the present tunnel being connected with the old tunnel in O’Donnell’s paddock, and the installation of a fan has been unnecessary up to the present. Coal is supplied to the Railway Department, to consumers on the Downs, and to private metropolitan customers.
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Brisbane Courier (Qld.), Saturday, 10 March 1928, page 13
The proprietors Lanefield Collieries had a light tramway laid down from the colliery to the Lanefield railway station, a distance of about three-quarters of mile. Prior to this horse power had been used for haulage and the colliery had to suspend work during any wet weather owing to the roads being untrafficable.
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Daily Standard (Brisbane, Qld), Tuesday 27 November 1928, page 1
CONDITIONS AT MINES.
Mr. Martin Miller, miners’ assistant check Inspector, reports for the week ended November 24, 1928, as follows.
At Lanefield Collliery the ventilation was very fair, with the exception of three places in the eastern level where the air current was rather sluggish. The temperature ranged from 77 degrees to 76 degrees (in the east level), to 72 degrees to 69 degrees. The timbering and general safety were well attended to.
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Brisbane Courier (Qld), Monday, 29 September 1930, page 8
A new type of rail motor, invented and constructed by Mr. H. E. Collett, at his motor garage, East-street, Ipswich, has just been completed for the Lanefield Colliery, Rosewood. It was made from a 2½ ton truck chassis, cut in half, and may eliminate the present style of waggon skips, laden with coal, which ave drawn by horses. The motor has a Dodge engine, which is carried on a four-wheel bogey. As the engine runs on a narrow gauge line, all the wheels were specially cast for the job. The brakes are incorporated in the rear wheels, and can be operated by either foot or hand. The deferential has been geared to suit the work. A rough trial of the new motor at the colliery gave every satisfaction. At its first essay it shifted three or four tons of coal without any difficulty and without any sign of over-heating and seems fairly economical to run as regards both petrol and oil. It is expected to be able to pull at least eight tons of coal without any trouble, and should prove much more efficient than the present method of drawing the coal.
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The Brisbane Courier (Qld.: 1864 – 1933, Saturday, 27 June 1931, page 5
Ipswich – Another rail motor for the Lanefield colliery, near Rosewood, was completed yesterday at Collett’s garage, East-street. The new motor is the second of its kind to be constructed to the order of the company, and marks a new system of haulage in the mines in this district. It will be used for hauling coal from pit head of the colliery to the Lanefield railway station, and will have a haulage capacity of between eight and ten tons. It will run on a 21in. gauge rallway. The previous motor, which has given every satisfaction, covers a distance of about 800 to 1000 miles per month.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. ), Saturday 22 July 1933, page 5
LANEFIELD OPERATIONS.
Lanefield came into the pitcture about seven years after the start at Glencoe. It is recorded that a landholder, Mr. D. Crane, was sinking a well for water supply when he first appreciated the posilbilties of a coal mining venture on his property. Several experts examined the site, but no steps were taken to open the mine until the arrival of Mr. J. M. Bruce, who had had years of experience on the Bundamba field. The tunnel was about half a mile to the north of the Lanefield Railway Station, and for about 12’months Messars. Wright Bros., of Tivoli, held a lease of it. Then the pit was worked by Mr. Bruce and Mr. A. J. Loveday, who was able to render valuable service on the business side.
Operations in the first tunnel ceased about six years ago, and a site for a new mine was selected on property of Mr. C. Wraight, adjoining that on which the original tunnel was sunk. Here coal of very satisfactory quality was won. Consumers have pronounced it excellent for steam and gas purposes, and have certified to its quick-flaming quality.
Two years ago the firm put down a tramnline along which skips are taken direct to the railway as they come from the pit.
To the north-east of Lanefield is Westvale Colliery, and from here also satisfactory progress is reported. First-class coal, well suited for certain steaming purposes, is produced. Some time ago much needed railway connection was provided.
OTHER PITS. The Agrilcutural Society President (Mr. W. Wass) and his brother entered the mining business about six years ago, and have been encouraged by the results front their Lowfleld undertaking.
Normanton is another comparatively new mine, and its owners are playing their part in district development in admirable fashion.
Clayfileld and Oakleigh collieries retain their shore of the trade offering.
A reference to the Rosewood mining Industry would scarcely be complete without mention of a hardy old pioneer in the late Captain Rea. Close by the railway line between Rosewood and Walloon there is an old poppet head and mullock heap which mark the scenes of his early and honest endeavour.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich), Saturday 8 September 1934, page 2
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Tuesday 30 October 1934, page 6
MINING LEASES GRANTED. At a recent sitting of the Mining Warden’s Court, Lanefield Collieries (J. M. Bruce) made applications for coal mining leases of the Government road between portion 71, Parish of Grandchester, and portion 344, Parish of Walloon, and also of the Government road between portion 363, Parish of Walloon, and portion 344, and part of portion 332, Parish of Walloon. The applicants were represented by Mr. W. E. Hargreaves (Messrs. Hargreaves and Hargreaves), while the Westvale Collieries, who lodged an objection against one of the applications, were represented by Mr. H. V. Gibbs (Messrs. Walker and Walker). The applications were heard by the Mining Warden (Mr. W. Simpson). At Friday’s sitting, Frederick Evans, Manager of Lanefield Collieries, gave evidence in connection with the marking out of the area of land, and Martin William Haenke, colliery proprietor, gave evidence regarding the objections which the Westvale Collieries lodged against the granting of this lease. Owing to certain formalities being regarded as not having been complied with, the Warden refused to grant one lease, and the other was withdrawn. Later, however, the Warden announced that he had vacated these findings, and a further hearing was set down for yesterday, when it was ruled by the Warden that both applications were quite in order, and he therefore recommended the granting of both leases.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Thursday 6 December 1934, page 6
MINER’S CLAIM. £5 Verdict for Defamation. ROSEWOOD. December 5.
In the Rosewood Magistrate’s Court to-day, before Mr. W. Simpson, P.M., James Patrick Smith, of Rosewood, sued Joseph Henry Lergesner, of Rosewood, for £100 damages.
The statement of claim set out that between May 9, 1934, and May 17, of the same year, defendant falsely and maliciously spoke and published to Fred. Evans. manager of the Lanefleld Colliery, and to diverse other persons, defamatory matter concerning plaintiff, in consequence of which defendant was dismissed from the colliery and became unemployed, and has since been unemployed and suffered damages.
Mr. W. G. Delaney appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr. J. Casey for defendant. Defendant denied that he published Sa matter -omannlained of.
The plaintiff, James Patrick Smith, a coal miner resident in John-street, Rosewood, stated that defendant was Secretary of the Lanefield branch of the Miners’ Union. He held that position during the month of May. Witness was a member of the union also, having joined In the year 1914, and remained a member since then. About May witness was employed as a miner at Lanefield, for eight shifts. He was doing piece work. After he worked there for eight shifts Fred. Evans, manager of the mine, spoke to him. Witness was dismissed from the mine, not on any grounds of incompetence. Witness did not resign from the union and was not expelled fromn it.
Fred. Evans, Manager of the colliery, and Norman Bade, deputy mine manager, also gave evidence. The P.M. gave judgment for plaintiff for £5, professional costs £2/10/, costs of court £1/2/. and witnesses’ expenses 15/.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.) 16 February 1935 page 9 COAL BOARD CHALLENGED
The Telegraph(Brisbane, Qld) 25 March 1935 page 7 SUPPLY AND SALE OF COAL
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Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld.), Saturday, 29 May 1937, page 1
Lanefield Miners Will Return to Work On Monday Morning
Accept Terms of Settlement
The employees of the Lanefield Colliery who have been on strike will return to work on Monday morning. This decision was reached at a meeting of the Lanefield branch of the Queensland Colliery Employees’ Union, which was held this morning. The meeting, lasted for 3 hours and opinion was by no means unanimous on the question for some time, but eventually the recommendation of the State Management Committee of the Union that work should be resumed was carried with only four dissentients. It was further agreed that 10 of the 12 men about whom the dispute centred would be penalised to the extent of the loss of a week’s work.
The chair was occupied by the State president (Mr. M. Miller), but the first speaker was the Federal president (Mr. Charles Nelson), who is in Brisbane in connection with the dispute. He admitted to the gathering that the union had been placed in an awkward position In the Industrial Court yesterday when it was found that the rules of the union had not been registered.
This made the position most awkward, and it was indisputable that the court was against the union on the matter, and that the opposing side must have won. It was then that the union’s solicitor had suggested a compulsory conference, and among the decisions reached to be placed before the management committee was one that the men should return to work as well as the 12 expelled members. He promised that if the men agreed to the proposals the rules would be registered at the first possible moment, and that the union would then be in a position to discipline Its members. He further claimed that the union hnd gained every other point for the members except regarding those 12 men.
Mr. Nelson denied that the men would lose any prestige by returning to work. They found themselves in an unfortunate position at present, but if they were determined to remain out of work they would find themselves in a far worse position, for the court would grant the application of the employers and deregistration would follow.
VERBAL BRUSHES.
It was while the State secretary (Mr. A. E. Phillips) was speaking that a fair amount of disorder and a few verbal brushes occurred. The local president (Mr. G. Jones) declared that he would resign If the men went back to work. Complaint was made by speakers that it was unfair that the ones who had been true unionists all along should have to go back to work on practically the same terms and to work with men whom they classed as “scabs.”
PRINCIPLE OF ARBITRATION.
Mr. Phillips admitted that the decision of the management committee, that It was advisable that the men should return to work under the circumstances that existed was certainly distasteful, but it was the wisest course. Furthermore, it could not be classed as a weakening of the union, for it must be remembered that one of their basic principles was industrial arbitration. It was also emphasised that the management committee of the union was unanimous in his decision that the men should be advised to return to work. Eventually the matter was put to the vote and the recommendations of the management committee were endorsed with only four dissentients. Approximately 35 members voted in the affirmative.
TERMS OF SETTLEMENT.
After the meeting it was officially reported to “The Telegraph” that at a compulsory conference, which was held at the Industrial Court yesterday, certain terms of settlement were drawn up to be presented to the management committee of the Queensland Colliery Employees Union. This was done last night and the management committee .unanimously decided that they be recommended to a meeting of the Lanefield branch for acceptance. At a special meeting of the Lanefield Branch of the union which was attended by the management committee’ of the union today they were accepted with only four dissentients
The terms accepted were that a cavil would be drawn and work commenced on May 31, the cavil to include all men who were employed at the Lanefield Colliery prior to January 18, with the exception of 10 men (being portion of the 12 men concerned, the exceptions being R. and N. Bruce whose positions were necessary). The 10 men would report for duty on June 7 and would be restored to the top tunnel until the expiration of the current cavil on or about June 18. After that date all the man would participate In the cavil for all sections of the mine to be worked. It was further’decided that the 12 men concerned he readmitted to membership of the. Queensland Colliery Employees’ Union, and that as a penalty for refusing to accept a decision of the union 10 of them would be penalised to the extent of the loss of one week’s work.
Members of the Lanefield branch of the Queensland Colliery Employees’ Union leaving the School
of Arts, Rosewood, today, after the meeting at which the men decided to return to work on Monday.
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“Coalfields’ towns are in the backwash of civilisation” wrote Edgar Ross, Associate Editor of the Miners’ Federation’s paper. Typical of pit and town “amenities” seen by Mr Ross in tours of NSW and Queensland coal area in May 1947 is the miners’ bathhouse and change room at Lanefield Extended Colliery, Rosewood, Queensland.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Saturday 31 March 1951, page 6
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.) Monday 2 April 1951, page 6
Leases 342, 343, 344 and 345 were all recommended in June 1951.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.) Friday, 6 April 1951, page 6
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Wednesday 6 June 1951, page 7
MINING APPLICATION RECOMMENDED
In the Mining Warden 5 Court yesterday an application by Lanefleld Extended Colliery Coy. Pty. Ltd. for Coal-mining Lease No. 324 was heard by Mr. Chas. Innes, Acting Mining Warden.
Mr. Mr. Innes recommended the application for approval, subject to survey and the requirement of Section 17 of “The Mining on Private Land Act” being carried out; underground mining operations to be carried out at a depth of not less than 50ft. from the surface.
Mr. John Casey (Messrs. Casey and Williams) appeared for the applicant company. No objections were made to the application.
John Clark. Superintendent of all the mines of the applicant company, gave evidence that the applicant company had two registered leases in respect of the whole of the area applied for. Both leases were in operation prior to September 1 1950, he said, and they were still in existence. Mining operations were carried out on that property. Apart from the surface area the shallowest depth of the workings was about 56ft. The whole of the land applied for was rural land. Above the seam there was about 18in. of coal, and then all sandstone. Witness considered that a perfectly safe depth from the surface for coal-mining operations would be 50ft. “We have been working on that as a minimum and we have found that to be perfectly safe,” he said.
Mr. Casey stated that the leases referred to would be produced at a later date and asked that the application be recommended for granting, subject to the production of such leases and the requirement of Section 17 of “The Mining on Private Land Act” being carried out.
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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Thursday 13 September 1951, page 3
Recommended for Approval
After hearing formal evidence in an application for Coal Mining Lease No. 317 by Lanefleld Colliery in the Warden’s Court yesterday morning. Mr. J. H. Fowler, S.M., said that he would recommend that the lease be granted subject to survey. Arthur James Loveday said in evidence he was one of the applicants. The others were John Mitchell Bruce and William Norman Ruhno. The minimum depth that mining would be carried out in the land applied for would be 60ft. No roads would be crossed in workng this area, and no buildings ould be interfered with. Mr. T. H. Palmer (Messrs. Hargreaves and Palmer) appeared for the applicant company.
© Jane Schy, 2025