Rosewood History

The Caledonian Colliery

Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld.), Saturday, 8 October 1910, page 6

The  Coal Industry in the Rosewood Electorate
(By Our Special Reporter.)
On Tuesday morning last I visited both the Caledonian Colliery, at Walloon, and the Glencoe Colliery, at Rosewood and I was indebted to Mr. Harold Lebeter, of Walloon, for driving me round  those collieries.

THE CALEDONIAN COLLIERY, WALLOON.
This coal property, comprising 1000 acres freehold, is owned by the Caledonian Company, Limited, the subscribers being those I have already mentioned in connection with the Abermain and Blackheath Collieries, and it is styled the “A.B.C. Mines,” from the initial letter of the respective properties. 

The Caledonian Colliery was originally opened up by the late Capt. Rea some 25 years ago, and he worked it himself for a long time. Then Mr. John Wright, of Tivoli, leased the mine, subsequently being joined in partnership by Mr. W. R. Black. The latter, however, purchased the property between seven and eight years ago, and has worked it ever since. Mr. Arthur Boughen is the manager. The workings are now carried on in a new tunnel No. 2, driven to a depth of 250 yards, and the mine in connected with the main Toowoomba line by a siding of between 700 and 800 yards in length. The old workings are situated half-a-mile further to the northward of the new tunnel, which, Mr Boughen stated, was sunk about 18 months ago, and from which they have been getting coal only for the past five weeks. All the machinery at the surface is entirely new. There are 25 hands employed, and 70 tons of fuel are raised a day. 

The coal is known as cannel, and is supplied under contract to all the principal gas companies in Queensland namely, at Toowoomba, Ipswich, and Brisbane. It is also in large request by house holders. A coal-train leaves Walloon every morning. 

No. 2 tunnel is driven in a south-westerly direction, and the intention is, at a later date, to connect the underground workings of the new tunnel with those of the old one, where there are two shafts-No. 1: and 2; and No.1 tunnel (sunk by Mr. Black about 16 years ago), is also situated on the block of land originally operated on. All the surface machinery and top equipment are left intact with the view of re-opening those workings if necessary.

It is the intention of the newly formed company to shortly introduce more up-to-date appliances in connection with the working of the Caledonian Collieries. The haulage power used at present is steam. 

The Caledonian Colliery coal was awarded a diploma and a gold medal for its superior quality at the Franco-British Exhibition of 1908. 

Mr. W. R. Black, by-the-way, is at present in the old country, combining business with pleasure. Unfortunately, however, he has been laid up with an attack of appendicitis, but the latest information in regard to his health is to the effect that it has improved. 

The manager (Mr. Arthur Boughen) is native of Ipswich (Churchill), and his father (Mr. Robt. Boughen), is an old resident of this State, having arrrived in Moreton Bay in the ship Hastings in 1857. He is also one of the pioneers of the Rosewood Scrub. Mr. A. Boughen was a member of the Ipswich F company of volunteers 25 years ago, after which he became attached to the Ipswich Mounted Infantry (C Company); altogether he served 13 years in the defence force. He has worked 18 years at the Caledonian Colliery, and has occupied this present position for six years, previous to which he acted as deputy-manager.

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Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld), Friday 22 June 1951, page 4

APPLICATIONS FOR MINING LEASES RECOMMENDED
In the Warden’s Court yesterday several applica tions for coal mining leases were recommended for approval by Mr. Chas. Innes, Acting Warden. Other applications were further adjourned.

Caledonian Collieries applied for Coal-mining Lease No. 322 for private land situated in the County of Churchill, Parish of Walloon.

Mr. T. H. E. Palmer (Messrs. Hargreaves and Palmer) appeared for the applicant company, and Mr. H. V. Gibbs (Messrs. Walker and Walker) appeared for the objector, F. Evans.

Mr. Gibbs stated that he was objecting to that part of the application which included Sub. 1 of Por. 299, containing 60 acres – the whole of the land applied for in Coal mining Lease No. 290.

Mr. Palmer stated that agreement as to compensation had been made with the surface owner, and that the agreement would be filed at the Warden’s office in the near future.

William Harth. residing at 2 Griffiths-road, East Ipswich, manager of Caledonian Colliery at Walloon, stated that the land applied for was being worked from a tunnel situated on Sub. 2 of Por. 299. The coal seam varied in depth be low the surface from 60ft. to 100ft.

He was satisfied that it would be quite safe for mining operations to be carried out at a depth of not less than 60ft. from the lowest part of the surface. The applicant company desired the internal roads only for access purposes and undertook to abide by any conditions for working such roads as might be laid down by the Mines Department.

Mr. Palmer stated that the applicant company held registered leases over the whole of the land, apart from Sub. 1 of Por. 299. He undertook to produce such leases to the Warden. A report from the Warden would be made later.