NEW COAL SEAMS . Development in Rosewood District
A new coal mine, known as Smithfield No. 2 Colliery, has been opened up in the Rosewood district. Prospects for future development are said to be bright as the coal appears to be of good quality. The mine is on portions 38, 36A, and 39, parish of Jeebropilly, about two and a half miles from the Rosewood railway station, on the southern side of the line, also on the southern side of the main creek. An interesting feature of the new mine is that it is in an entirely new location from parts of the district previously worked for coal and that two promising seams have been found. Up to the present most of the coal from the district has been found on the northern side of the railway line. Very little has been taken from the southern side, other than at some small places in years gone by, close to the line, and at two spots a couple of miles on the Rosewood side of Amberley. Messrs. T. Purnell, sen. and his son are opening up the new mine, which is on an area of 163 acres. The only disadvantage will be the long haulage of two and a half to three miles over black soil to the railway at Rosewood. However, the mine management hopes to be successful in efforts to have a creek crossing built, which would shorten the haulage considerably. At present the demand for coal is keen and consumers are finding it rather difficult to obtain supplies of suitable coal. Messrs. Purnell and Son will therefore have the best wishes of users in their efforts to exploit the resources of the new field.

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© Jane Schy, 2025