Havilah Limestone and Dolomite Quarries

1911

14 October 1911
MINING IN THE STATE.
MUDGEE, Friday.
On the property held by the Havilah Lime and Marble Syndicate, an extensive deposit of dolomite or magnesia limestone has been discovered. This dolomite is pronounced by experts to be of excellent quality from the analysis of two samples taken from different openings. No 1 sample yielded 99.16 per cent. of calcium carbonate and the other 98.44 per cent. As it is an essential requisite in the production of high quality steel, and being of close proximity to the railway line, it will have an important bearing on the development of the iron and steel industries1 .

16 October 1911
A DOLOMITE DEPOSIT.
MUDGEE, Saturday. - An extensive deposit of dolomite, or magnesium limestone, has been discovered at the Havilah property held by the Havilah Lime and Marble Syndicate. This is the only deposit of dolomite that has been discovered in Australia, and its existence in such close proximity to the railway line will have an important bearing on the development of the iron and steel industries, as it is an essential requisite in the production of high-quality steel. This dolomite is pronounced by experts to be of excellent quality, assaying 54.44 per cent. of calcium carbonate, and 41.11 per cent, of magnesium carbonate. An analysis of two samples of limestone from Havilah, taken from different openings, gave as follows: - No. 1 sample, 99.16 per cent, of calcium carbonate; No. 2 sample, 98.44 per cent2 .

1913

14 August 1913
CRUSHED TO DEATH
At Havilah Limestone Quarry.
Coronial Inquiry.
The District Coroner, Mr. W. S. Arnott, held an inquiry at Havilah on Tuesday into the death of Edward Samuel Moore, jun., who was killed in a fall of stone and earth at the Havilah Limestone Quarries on Monday last.
Mr. C. H. Hoskins (owner) and Mr. William Charles Williams (manager) appeared to represent the Havilah Limestone Mine, and Mr. E. S. Moore represented the wife and relatives of the deceased. Sub-Inspector Rank appeared on behalf of the police.
Edward Samuel Moore, father of the deceased, deposed: Deceased was 28 years of age, and was born at Ashfield (Sydney.) He was married and had one child. He had no property I know of. He was a very temperate man. I last saw him alive on August 2. He was in good health then. I have viewed the body and identify it as my son, Edward Samuel Moore. I have seen the place where my son was killed. As far as my experience goes I do not think it was a safe place. From what I see of the open cut now the rock that fell on deceased must have been overhanging to have slipped from its position. In my experience of railway cutting work any overhanging rock was always barred down from the top so as to make it safe for men to work in the cut.
Ernest Sydney Goodman, miner, deposed: I work in the Havilah limestone quarry. I viewed the body in the tent this morning, and I identify it as Edward Moore. He was working alongside me yesterday morning in the quarry. About 11.30 a.m., I was working up above, and Mr. Williams, the manager, called me down, and told me to help clean up the floor. I went down and started cleaning up the floor. The deceased helped me to clean up the floor, and was working about 2ft. from me. When we cleaned up Williams never said what to do, so we started trying to get a boulder out from the bottom of the quarry. Deceased started shovelling alongside me and a boulder fell from above on to deceased. The boulder seemed to strike deceased right across the back. Deceased was in a stooping position when the boulder and earth struck him. The boulder came down so suddenly that I had no time to warn deceased. I then assisted, with others, to get deceased out. He was alive, but apparently unconscious, and died about an hour and a half afterwards. Deceased was quite sober at the time. We were working for about 15 minutes before the boulder came down.
To Mr. Moore: I was trying to get a boulder out of the floor, and deceased was shovelling.
By the Coroner: The dray was there, but was far enough away from deceased for him to get back if he had seen the boulder coming. The boulder that fell on deceased must have been eight or nine feet from the floor. Williams, the manager, was in the cut that morning. I do not consider it was a very safe place, and would not work in it in the state it is in now. I did not take enough notice yesterday of the cut to see if it was dangerous to work in then.
By Mr. C. H. Hoskins: Mr. Williams instructed me to clean up the floor. I was not instructed to work on the face. The boulder I was getting out was underneath the boulder that fell. I don't think the moving of the boulder on the floor caused the other bolder overhead to shift. The men were working on this face on the previous Friday. The stone that fell was there on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and part of Monday. I don't know if the men previously working on the face were competent miners or not. I am 22 years of age. I was mining at Appletree Flat before I came here. I was gold-mining for about three or four years. I have never previously worked in a stone or lime quarry. I could give no opinion as to the proper way to work a limestone quarry. I was stooping down when the boulder fell. I did not see it falling.
By Sub-Inspector Rank: There was four or five feet, difference between the boulder on the floor and the boulder on top.
By Mr. Williams: I was at first working about 40 yards away. You only told me to clean up the floor. I was working contrary to your instructions in working at the face. After cleaning up the floor we usually fill the drays with stone.
By Mr. Moore: There was dirt there for deceased to shovel into the dray.
Alexander Henry Pettitt, laborer, Buckaroo, deposed: I was working with deceased about a foot away from him. I was using a pick in the quarry. The others were working before I got there. Williams, the manager, was there, during the morning. He was there somewhere about an hour before the accident happened. I was working within a few yards of where the accident happened all the morning. The cleaning up beneath the rock was nearly finished when the rock come suddenly down on to deceased. There was no time to give any warning. The boulder that came down was 4 feet above us. I looked up some time before the boulder came down, and thought it looked dangerous. I assisted to get the earth off the deceased. Mr. Williams came on the scene shortly afterwards. Deceased was quite sober. He was in a stooping position when the rock come down.
By Mr. Moore: On the Friday before the accident a shot was fired into the earth. It was raining on Saturday. There was nothing barred away from above where we were. We worked a face just as the shot charge left it.
By Mr. Hoskins: I assisted to clean up the floor. The floor was finished just previous to the accident. I was picking at the face. I picked out the white dirt beneath. The rock was above this dirt. I was not instructed to pick rock. The dirt was got from underneath and from the side of the boulder that fell on deceased. After I was picking at it I looked up and thought the rock was dangerous, but I still continued picking the earth. I had only previously picked at the rock for a couple of hours on another day. Mr. Williams did not instruct me to pick at the rock yesterday.
By Mr. Williams: I cannot swear that the rock was charged on the Friday before. I cannot say if men had not been up on top after the rock was fired.
By Mr. Moore: I was picking and deceased was shovelling at the time of the accident and before then also.
By Mr. Hoskins: Never saw deceased do any picking.
William Charles Williams, foreman for Mr. Hoskins of the Havilah limestone quarry, Havilah. deposed: The deceased was employed by me loading drays and as a laborer. I gave the men, including deceased, orders to clean up the loose muck lying on the floor of the quarry. This was about 7.30 a.m. yesterday. I was supervising other work, and only visited the quarry once or twice that morning. I first heard of the accident by someone calling out that a man was injured. Everything on top appeared to me to he in a safe condition. A chat was fired in the quarry on the Thursday before the accident. After the shot had been fired I sent men up to make it safe and to knock down anything liable to fall or overhanging. Deceased had no instructions from me to do the work he was doing when the accident happened. I only gave the men instructions to clean up the loose muck on the floor. They had no right to work at the face. Deceased had never worked at the face before. When the floor was cleaned up they should have carted the stone, plenty of which was about. They had no right to work at the face at all.
By Mr. Moore: The dirt they were shovelling came from the face. I never told the men that the face was safe. I had no idea they were working at the face. I don't know if the deceased was covered by the Workmen's Compensation Act.
By Mr. Hoskins: If the men picked under the rock it would be dangerous. In ordinary practice they would not pick under the rock. Competent miners would not pick earth out from under the rock. This is the first time it has been done in this quarry.
John Green, miner, Mudgee, deposed: The men should not have picked at the face of the quarry. They were only shovellers. When they finished shovel work they loaded the stone.
By Mr. Moore: The deceased was a shoveller, and was doing shovel work in the quarry that morning.
By Mr. Williams: These men had never worked at the face before.
The Coroner adjourned the inquiry till Saturday next in order that certain necessary procedure, in which the Mines Department is interested, could be carried out3 .

20 August 1913
Limestone Quarries at Mudgee.
MUDGEE, Sunday.
The limestone quarries near Havilah promise to develop into a big and important industry. Messrs. Hoskins Bros., of the Lithgow ironworks, who are the owners, are pushing along the development of these quarries. At the present time the railway siding at the quarries can only accommodate 16 trucks. Arrangements have been made with the Railway Commissioners for the siding to be extended right into the face. This will mean that some 40 chains of railway will have to be constructed. Considered by itself this big expense speaks well for the abiding faith that Messrs. Hoskins have in the limestone deposits. Mr. W. Williams, expert in this class of quarrying, is in charge. At present, 60 tons of stone are being turned out daily. That output, it is hoped, will be increased shortly. Besides limestone a splendid deposit of dolomite has been discovered. Some 40 men are now employed at the quarries, and more will be required shortly. Messrs. Hoskins Bros, have two 40-acre leases along the railway line, about two miles on the Mudgee side of Havilah station4 .

24 September 1913
HOSKINS' HAVILAH LIMESTONE QUARRIES.
About forty men are employed procuring limestone at the quarries, Havilah, for Messrs. Hoskins, Ltd. The output is about 60 tons per day, or 360 tons for the week, and is conveyed to Lithgow. A tramline, which will be about 450 yards long, is being laid down, the grade being about 1 in 46 When this is finished and connected with the railway line, the engine will be able to proceed to the quarry and bring out the loaded trucks. About one ton of dolomite is also forwarded weekly. - "Western Post"5 .

2 October 1913
Havilah Quarries.
Big Industry in the Making
The limestone and dolomite quarries at Havilah are becoming increasingly busy as week succeeds week. Mr. Williams, the popular manager, has 45 men under him. Buildings are springing up. A big combined blacksmith's shop and store-room has been erected. A two-roomed cottage is about to be put up by the powder monkey, Mr. Alf. Niel. The boarding house, which houses a number of employees, is run by Mrs. Niel . There is keen competition amongst businessmen for the trade of the growing place. Amongst the store keepers, etc., who are supplying the new township with provisions are Messrs J. Kurtz (Mudgee), G. Smith (Havilah), and J. Thompson (Lue). These quarries are turning out between 60 and 70 tons of limestone a day. The route of the new siding has been pegged out and the earth work completed ready for the laying of the sleepers. Owing to a scarcity of trucks, a certain amount of the production has to be stacked. When the new siding is completed, it is hoped that all the stone produced will be handled comfortably. It is expected that the next month or two will see a wide extension of operations and a substantial increase in the number of men employed. Altogether, it would appear that the Havilah quarries are destined to be a very big industry in this district6 .

8 October 1913
Increased Output of ore at Tallewang.
MORE POWERFUL ENGINES.
BUSY TIMES AT HAVILAH.
The iron mines at Tallewang are quite a scene of activity owing to Messrs. Hoskins having decided to double the output of iron ore, consequently it is intended to run two trains a day from these mines. The road from the main line to the mine is being strengthened so as to carry an O class engine, which is a heavier and stronger type of engine than the class of engine that has been working the mine. A new line is being laid down at the mine twenty-five feet below the present line, and when this is completed it will open up a new face of splendid ore, which will be easily worked, as the trucks will be quite convenient to the face for filling. The above improvements are expected to be completed during the coming week, and a large number of men are being put on to quarry and load the ore.
The limestone quarries at Havilah are also busily engaged, as Messrs. Hoskins are increasing the output there, and a train-load of limestone and dolomite will be sent from there each day. Quite a calico town has sprung up at this place, and a nice new cottage has just been completed for the manager. - "Western Post"7 .

1916

30 November 1916
The Havilah Quarries
LIMESTONE AND DOLOMITE.
DEVELOPMENTAL OPERATIONS.
BIG FUTURE POSSIBILITIES.
Slowly but surely the western district country is being developed on both its agricultural and mineral sides. And it is being more and more apparent that on both sides its possibilities are very great. Hundreds of acres of additional land are being placed under wheat cultivation every year, and every year also sees successful ventures being made in other cultivations.
Nor is the development less satisfactory or important on the mineral side. Notable instances and illustrations of this are the opening up of the limestone quarries at Kandos, and growing development of a big cement manufacturing industry there, the opening up of the Tallewang iron deposits, and the marble quarries at Cudgegong.
There are other smaller developments. And last, but by no means least, there is the exploitation of the big and valuable deposits of limestone and dolomite at Havilah, within 12 miles of the town of Mudgee, and situated on Mr. Hunter White's fine Havilah property.
These deposits are fast developing into a big thing, and a great future is evidently in store for the industry that is being built upon their exploitation.
Mr. William Chandos Wall was the first man to enterprisingly concern himself with the commercial utilisation of these deposits. Later on Mr. Wall's interest was taken over by the Messrs. G. and C. Hoskins, the Lithgow iron masters. And now the leases have been purchased and taken over by Mr. H. V. Curlewis.
This gentleman is having extensive improvements in the workings effected, and machinery to the value of upwards of £4000 is being installed for the mining and manipulation of the deposits. There will be a railway from the siding right into the quarries, capacious hoppers, efficient wind ings gear, driven by steam power, either have been or are being installed.
Three lime burning kilns, each of a capacity of 100 tons, are being erected.
Mr. Curlewis has secured large contracts for the supply of both the lime and the dolomite he is mining. The dolomite is a very valuable commercial product It is used in the making of steel to prevent the escape of the heat from the furnace.
Of both limestone and dolomite there are millions of tons in sight at Havilah, whilst untold millions of tons of the deposits are yet buried away in the earth.
It is stated on good authority that there are big developments, involving interesting and prominent industrial departures, in prospect at the Havilah quarries. These may not germinate for a number of years yet, but when they do come they will be worth writing about8 .

1917

27 September 1917
Road to Dolomite Quarries.
The road that has been under construction for the Newcastle Steel Works from the siding on the Mudgee railway line to Mr. Melton's dolomite quarries at Havilah has been completed. Mr. R. Ambler was the contractor. The road will be a great convenience, and will save a considerable detour9 .

1918

17 January 1918

Parts of this story are quite illegible. If anyone could supply a better copy please let me know.

HAVILAH DOLOMITE QUARRIES.
A GROWING CONCERN
The dolomite quarries -h:; /.' ? -ii.iJi are developing into a highly important concern. The quarries owned by the Broken Hill Proprietary Company. The sub-'H'i' to be managed by Mr. James Melton. All the dolomite quarried is being sent to the Proprietary Company steel works at Newcastle. Dolomite is used to make a lining for the furnaces which serves in the way of retaining and conserving the heat, which is an important factor in the economy of shell manufacturing.
A considerable amount of money has been spent on the development of the quarries, which has a big future as industrialisation is assured.
The quarries are situated on the Mudgee-Lue Road, on the left hand side, some two miles from the mine railway line. There are 10 to 12 men working the quarries, ^ntt:: f r.l vi-.v sTjT.fl', under e forcm.i'.-iii' '? Mr. R. Ambler, whilst sown 1 ( n-rioi .?; teams are employed in carting the dolomite to the railway station. There is a specially constructed road from the quarries i.i llio niiiin road, and one man is cons-ji-i ? v f.n-' lil-ivcfi l.'i'Pin.-.-r liiij «ii'n.rn:rl. the traffic over which is necesii'!y ? considerable, in repair.
At present the dolomite is trucked from the quarries to the Mount Frome Railway Station, a distance of upwards of eight miles. A siding and loading bank are, however, now being constructed and the construction is now almost completed - th'cei ci'iavter.s is a mile on the Mudgee side of Walls Siding. With this opportunity for loading the stuff will have to be carted only two miles to the railway. The saving in transport will thus be considerable, and will be a valuable economical consideration. The new siding is to be known is Knowles, taking its name from Mount Knowles, which is in its immediate vicinity. The new siding will be opened for traffic this week. A new road has been made from the dolomite mine to the new siding. The company intends to load 60 tons of dolomite per day for a start, and when the mine is properly opened up, a much larger output will be required to meet the demand for this mineral. The present output of the quarries to meet the needs of two furnaces, is ? tons a week. But the Propriety Company proposes to almost at once by February, install three additional furnaces at the steel works. This will mean that the demands on the quarries will be very considerably increased, and to meet them a greatly enlarged output will be necessary. And to secure this, the number of men employed carrying, carting, etc., will have to be substantially added to10 .

1919

5 May 1919
Mt. Knowles Dolomite Mine.
A BIG PROPOSITION. PROPOSED RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.
Good work, both industrial and productive, is being done on the Havilah (Mt. Knowles) Dolomite Mines. Recently a responsible officer of the Broken Hill Proprietary Company visited the mine and had a consultation with Mr. James Melton, the proprietor in reference to the running of a branch line from the main Mudgee railway line to the quarries, a distance of between two and three miles. As a result of this construction the Company has arranged the Railway Commissioner to make a survey and furnish an update of the branch line and going from the Mudgee line to the quarry face. This the company is doing with the view of carrying the possible increased ? dolomite from the quarries to the steel works, which will be a reduction of comparative cost.
The Proprietary Company which has a sub-lease from Mr. Melton, of about 150 acres, has already spent a good deal of money on the mines.
There has just been constructed a train line running in the face of the quarry on to the gantry to load waggons, and a tank for water conservation is also being put in. There are now employees at and about the mines and quarries from 25 to 30 men and 35 ladies, all at work under Mr. Melton's supervision.
Mr. Allan, of the Railway Department was at the quarries on Friday making arrangements for the survey of the projected branch line11 .

14 May 1919
THE DOLOMITE MINES
A good deal of developmental and productive work is being carried out at the Havilah (Mount Knowles) Dolomite Quarries. A survey is to be made of a branch line and siding from the Mudgee line to the quarries, a distance of about three miles. There has just been completed a tramline running in the face of the quarry on to the gantry to load waggons, and a tank for conservation is also being put in. There are now employed at the mines between 25 and 30 men and 35 horses12 .

18 July 1919
SHOCKING ACCIDENT.
On Tuesday afternoon Mr. H. J. Chambers, junr., an employee of Mr. Jas. Melton, at his dolomite quarry near Havilah, met with a shocking accident in which his right foot was crushed to a pulp through a nine-ton waggon passing over it. The circumstances surrounding this most unfortunate occurrence were that Chambers and F. Barwick were driving a waggon loaded with dolomite from the quarry to the railway trucks at Wall's siding. On a decline the team made pace, and the leaders, swerving to the roadside, Chambers rushed to the brake. As he neared the waggon he slipped, and two wheels passed over both feet. One foot was badly crushed, and the other painfully lacerated. On learning of the accident, Mr. Melton placed a horse in a sulky, and with assistance lifted the unfortunate man into the vehicle and hastened to Mudgee, Dr. Lester in the meantime being phoned for. When about half way to Mudgee the doctor met his oncoming patient, and was transferred to the doctor's car and quickly taken to Mudgee district hospital. On examination it was found necessary to amputate, and the operation was at once performed, the seriously crushed foot and leg being removed from be low the left knee13 .

28 August 1919
1919
'Mudgee Mail':
Mr. H. Dowling, manager of the Standard Insurance Co., was in Mudgee on Friday, and so was Mr. Burton, district inspector. Mr. Dowling's business was to make settlement under a workman's compensation claim in the case of the late H. Chambers, who had his foot severed in a driving accident at Mr. James Melton's dolomite mine at Wall's Siding. The claim has been satisfactorily adjusted14 .

1920

5 January 1920
IRON INDUSTRY THREATENED.
BY EXCESSIVE FREIGHT INCREASES.
IRONWORKS CLOSE DOWN.
OVER 1000 EMPLOYEES AFFECTED.
Lithgow's industrial life is threatened owing to the excessive railway freight increases which came into force on January 1. The following notice which is posted on the ironworks, gate – and is an intimation to the men - speaks for itself:-
"In consequence of the excessive increases in railway freights for our business, which came into force on January 1, 1920, ranging up to 150 per cent., it is impossible for us to continue under such conditions, and we are compelled to close down until further notice.
We intend to at once see the Premier with a view of securing an adjustment, and hope that the stoppage will be a short one. "Signed on behalf of G. and C. Hoskins and Co.,
"C. H. HOSKINS.
The position can be the more easily explained by giving a copy of the letter which the firm has written to the Chief Railway Commissioner. This is as follows: -
"Twelve years ago, when we took over the Lithgow ironworks, which were at that time in a hopeless financial condition, and were closed down, the receiver for the mortgagees in possession, we came to the rescue, and took over the concern with all its debts, liabilities, contracts, and certainly the necessary freight concessions for taking the finished material to the seaboard.
It was, and is, well known by most people, that Lithgow, being inland, has many disadvantages, and is altogether dependent on reasonable freight arrangements. These freights we think it would be unjust to take away from us, after being in operation for about 40 years, as to do so will ruin the industry at Lithgow.
We were simply astounded at the excessive increase in freight charges on our materials, and from what we can see, we are the only company who handle materials in large quantities whose rates have been excessively increased.
"We certainly understood from the Government pronouncement in the newspapers that the extra freight was to amount to 10 per cent.; this amount we expected to pay, but, unfortunately, the increases for our industry at Lithgow range up to 150 per cent.
If these rates are persisted in, it will be imperative to remove the works from Lithgow to the sea board. We are compelled to come to this conclusion, as your new book gives exceptional facilities for manufacturing at the sea board.
Your new freight book has introduced a new condition for freight. On page 85, we think we cannot do better than recite this new condition, as follows: -
"Limestone (including dolomite) to be used in the manufacture of cement or lime, or for fluxing purposes, when not less than 5000 tons per annum are consigned between any two stations, distant 150 miles or over,
and forwarded to one consignee in trucks loaded to their full carrying capacity, will be charged at the manure rate. Crude ore rates to be levied in the first instance, and allowance made by rebate."
It appears to us that this new clause is put in to help the Broken Hill Proprietary Co. at Newcastle, as they have a limestone quarry at Attunga (near Tamworth) and a dolomite deposit at Havilah, nine miles the Sydney side of Mudgee. From both these places the Broken Hill Proprietary Co. will now have special cheap freight, because these deposits are situated more than 150 miles from their works at Newcastle.
Certainly other people besides the Broken Hill Proprietary Co. can take advantage of this clause, if they are in a position to do so, but we do not know of anyone else in the State who can now take advantage of this clause.
As illustrating the position, up to the 31st December, 1919, the Broken Hill Proprietary Co., Ltd., were taking dolomite from Havilah to Newcastle, a distance of 269 miles, at a freight cost of 12s 1d per ton. Under the new freight operating from the 1st January, 1920, the same dolomite will be conveyed by the railway for 7s 7d per ton, provided they send a minimum of 5000 tons yearly, a reduction to them of freight on this item of 4s 6d per ton, equal to 37 per cent.; whereas if the rate to be paid by the Broken Hill Proprietary Co. had been increased on the same basis as the increase to to paid by us, their freight would have been 14s 10d per ton, instead of, as it is, 7s 7d per ton, a reduction of 7s 3d per ton.
The same concession over previous freights will be made to them, on the limestone from Attunga.
Last year we used at our works at Lithgow approximately 60,000 tons of dolomite and limestone. It will easily be seen what a great saving this new clause can be to the Broken Hill Proprietary Co., Ltd.
To us, it appears that this new clause will in fact, must, be the means of forcing manufacturers from the country into the city. We will illustrate this point.
At Molong there are enormous deposits of limestone, the railway actually cuts through those deposits.
Under the new freight rates, the charges would be as follows: -

This latter rate is contingent on 5000 tons being consigned yearly, which is a very small amount of limestone.
On all our raw material, iron, and manganese ore, limestone, coal, coke, etc., amounting to more than 300,000 tons per year, we pay the full freight rates, and it is hauled in train loads, whereas any individual can send one truck load of any of these materials at the same rate as we pay for train loads.
Several large customers of the railways, when they do a certain volume of business, are allowed a rebate. From your freight book we extract the following:-
Page 84, "Gas, or ammonia liquor, and gas tar in owners' tanks will be charged up to 10,000 tons per annum, 1d per ton per mile. Each ton over 10,000 and up to 20,000 tons, per annum, 15 per cent, less than the rate for 10,000 tons.
Each ton over 20,000 tons per annum 10 per cent. less than the rate for 20,000 tons, subject to the minimum of 9 tons per tank truck, and to a minimum rate of the miscellaneous class for ten miles less 10 per cent. Empty tank waggons will be returned free.
Page 85. Oils, gasolene, benzine, naphtha, motor spirit, kerosene oil, machine oils, wood preserving oils, candles, paraffin wax, kerosene tar, grease, and shale oils not otherwise provided for (in drums, casks, or cases) from recognised oil refineries to Darling Island or Newcastle, will be charged in minimum loads of not less than eight tons per four-wheeled truck, smaller carrying capacity trucks than 10 tons per four-wheels, full capacity less 5 per cent. at the following rates: -
Up to 1000 tons per annum "B" rate.
Every ton over 1000 tons per annum "B" rate less 25 per cent.
If owner's trucks are used, 10 per cent reduction will be allowed.
Page 86. Oils, shale (crude) including residual and gas oil in owner's tank waggons, containing not less than 6 tons per tank waggon, will, unless otherwise specified, be charged the following rates to Newcastle or Darling Harbor, which rates will also apply to similar traffic between Torbane and Hartley Vale, or Murrurundi, from Newnes Junction to Albury, and from Darling Harbor to Newnes Junction or Wallangarra.
Up to 10,000 tons per annum, 1d per ton per mile. Each ton over 10,000 tons and up to 20,000 tons per annum 15 per cent, less than the rate for 10,000 tons.
Each ton over 20,000 tons per annum, 10 per cent. less than the rate for 20,000 tons.
Minimum rate to be the miscellaneous class for 10 miles, less 10 per cent.
Empty tank waggons returned free.
Semi-treated benzine to be charged at the same rate as shale oil, in owners' tank waggons, when so forwarded.
The freight paid to the railways by us for the year 1918, was £136,009, and for 1919, £125,889. In addition to these figures, there was a very large amount of freight paid on our finished material, by customers who paid their own freight.
The following table will show the increases, the new freight book of 1920 calls on us to pay from our various quarries:-

It will be seen from the above list, that except coke, which is 10.5 per cent., the other items are increased from 17½ per cent. to 23½ per cent. We contend that this is an injustice to the industry at Lithgow, and we do fairly claim that our supplies of raw material should be charged to us at the same rate per mile as charged to the Broken Hill Proprietary Co., at Newcastle, under the new Clause page 85.
Referring to the freights on our finished products from Eskbank to Darling Island, the rates are as follows:-

It will be seen from these figures that the increases range from 10 up to 153 per. cent.
We point out that the freight on steel bars, and sheets is now £1 6s 5d. This is a charge the Broken Hill Proprietary Co. will not have to meet, as their bars are sent from Newcastle by steamer, at a freight of about 10s per ton, which was on an equal basis to our 1919 freight of 10s 5d per ton. As you are probably aware, practically the whole of our output goes to Sydney to be distributed from there, either locally or overseas. The enormous increase in the freight, must prevent Lithgow from securing orders, and we must request that this rate be altered to 11s 6d, which is the old rate of 10s.5d plus 10 per cent.
We certainly consider that we are entitled to this rate when it is considered that the rates for such a number of articles are carried at miscellaneous rates, such as copper, matte, pig lead, cement, bricks, wire netting, etc.
Another matter is that up to the present there has been a rebate of freight of 22 per cent. on pig iron, exported beyond the State. This enabled us to do a large business with Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland. In the new freight book, this clause has been altered to "locally manufactured iron and steel exported beyond the Commonwealth." Perhaps the word "Commonwealth" has been put in, in error. We think this is so, as we notice that in every other case, where a rebate is allowed for export, is granted on condition that the material is sent beyond the State. In the matter of freight charged on pig iron for consumption in Sydney, we ask that the freight remain at 7s 1d plus the 10 per cent. increase.
In consequence of the excessive increase in freight outlined above, which are so much in advance of 10 per cent. and amount to a very large sum of money, we feel you have put an unjust load upon us, and more than we can carry, and after consideration, we have decided not to re-open the steelworks or iron mines until some fair arrangement can be arrived at.
With this end in view, our Mr. C. H. Hoskins intends to at once interview the Premier, Mr. Holman, and the Cabinet generally.
We have always understood that it is the policy of the Government to encourage the establishment of industries in the country, but if the Government decides to adhere permanently to the freights as set out in the freight book of 1920, we intend to ask the Premier to permit the freight rates for 1919 to remain in force for us, for a period of 5 years, to enable us to remove our works from Lithgow to the seaboard.
Yours faithfully,
For G. and C. Hoskins, Co., Ltd.,
C. H. Hoskins.
It can readily be seen that under the proposed new condition Lithgow as an industrial centre would before long shrink visibly. The firm seems to have justification for stating that some of the clauses appear to have been put in to help the Newcastle Co. as against Lithgow, seeing that certain charges will be less to Sydney than to Lithgow - because the mileage is above 150. If the Government is sincere in its expressions to help the iron and steel industry, prompt consideration of the position will be given.
The firm is determined in its statement that the works will be removed to the seaboard if the five years' agreement can be secured, and the major request for a reduction in the excessive freights, not granted. The works will not be restarted until some very substantial and permanent reduction is granted. It is pointed out that it is impossible for the industry to keep going under such enormous imposts, and if the Government desires to close. up the works, with all that this entails, it has only to persist with the present unjust and crippling increases.
The position at present is this: - This morning 750 men, the big majority of them married and with families, were out of employment, and shortly nearly 1100 will be affected. The blast furnaces are working cleaning up the raw materials on hand. The iron mines are closed, but the limestone quarries will continue for a week (unless Cabinet reviews the position) to balance the iron ore on hand. The blast furnaces will then also close. The ironworks are not working at all.
Mr. C. H. Hoskins went this morning to interview the Cabinet and the Ironworkers' Union is also to take a hand. Naturally they are vitally interested, as indeed is the whole of Lithgow15 .

1921

25 July 1921
Mudgee Warden's Court.
Applications granted and Adjourned.
Mr. Walter Scott, P.M., Warden, sat as a Mining Warden's Court at Mudgee on Friday.
The application of James Melton, Mount Knowles, for authority to enter portions 54, 134 and 152, parish of Boogledie (H. A, White, Havilah, owner and occupier), and search for dolomite and limestone were granted. The rent was fixed at 1/ an acre and the compensation at 10/ in each case.
Frederick Roth, Bombira, had lodged an application for authority to enter on portions 82 and 83, parish of Bumberah (the applicant owner and occupier), and search for limestone. In the absence of the applicant on account of illness the application was adjourned to July 2916 .

1925

13 September 1925
Farewell to Mr. J. Melton.
RAIN SPOILS PICNIC
On Saturday afternoon last, a large number of Mr. and Mrs. J. Melton's friends assembled at their residence, Mt. Knowles, to bid them farewell on the eve of their departure for Glen Alice, where they intend to reside.
The function was to have taken the form of a picnic, but owing to the rain that part of the programme had to be abandoned, and those present assembled at the house. The rain also interfered considerably with the attendance.
Amongst those present were the directors of the Mt. Knowles Lime and Dolomite Co., viz., Mr. A. T. Tweedie and Mr. C. A. Richardson (Sydney), Mr. S. Prout (Portland). Mr. R. Prout (manager) was also in attendance.
Quite a large number of the fair sex also braved the elements.
After the ladies had dispensed afternoon tea, Mr. W. Ryan (Havilah), who acted as chairman, said that they had met that afternoon to bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Melton. He was indeed sorry that their guests were leaving Mt. Knowles, for they had made many friends. He had been asked to apologise for Mr. P. White, Mr. W. Probert. and a number of other gentlemen.
Mr. Martin said that he had known Mr. Melton since infancy, and they had been friends ever since. The departure of Mr. and Mrs. Melton from Mt. Knowles was a great loss to the district. He wished both of them a bright, happy and prosperous future, in their new home.
Mr. J. Mills endorsed the previous speakers' remarks as to the good qualities of the Melton family. He was indeed sorry that they were leaving Mt. Knowles, as they were very valued friends of both he and Mrs. Mills, and many an act of kindness had been rendered to his family by the Meltons in times of sickness. He wished them every happiness in their new home.
Mr. J. Baron, on behalf of the Mt. Knowles employees, expressed his regret at the departure of Mr. and Mrs. Melton, and wished them every success.
Mr. Tweedie said that, although practically a stranger to the district, there had sprung up between him and Mr. Melton, a very strong friendship, and he was pleased to be present that afternoon and to have the opportunity of saying goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Melton. He hoped their guest would be as successful at sheep raising as he had been in his quarry.
Mr. Richardson endorsed Mr. Tweedie's remarks.
Messrs. W. J. Nelthorpe, J. McGrath and W. Mason also wished the departing guests every success in their new home.
Mr. W. Ryan, on behalf of the residents of Mt. Knowles and the adjoining district, presented Mr. and Mrs. Melton with a very handsome silver tea and coffee service on a silver-mounted oak tray, suitably inscribed.
Mr. Melton, in rising to respond, was very warmly received. He thanked all kind friends for the nice things they had said about him and he was indeed sorry that he was leaving the district. His daughter, however, would still carry on the post office. and his son was remaining at Mt. Knowles. He thanked Mr. Hunter White for the many acts of kindness he had shown him, and he could say that if it had not been for that gentle man's generosity he would not be in the position he was today. When he expressed the wish to go in for mining Mr. White told him to go ahead and he would stand behind him. He had done so, and he thanked him from the bottom of his heart. He thanked his friends for their handsome present, which would always be treasured.
Three cheers were then given for the Melton family.
The toast of the Mt. Knowles Lime and Dolomite Co., coupled with the name of Mr. Tweedie, was proposed by Mr. Melton, also the toast of Mr. Ryan, sen.
Altogether it was a great day, and everyone spent a decidedly pleasant time17 .

1928

30 January 1928
Shocking fatality
WALL'S SIDING SENSATION. ROBERT JOHN RUSSELL GASSED. SUDDEN ENDING OF BRIGHT CAREER.
A sad fatality occurred at Curlewis' lime and dolomite works at Wall's Siding, near Havilah, early on Friday morning, the victim being Robert John Russell, a splendid type of young Australian, and only 20 years of age.
Information gleaned by Constable Treloar, of Mudgee, is to the effect that young Russell relieved a workman named Daniel Kennedy at midnight on Thursday and went to supervise operations at one of the kilns, which is used for burning dolomite. Deceased had finished filling the kiln, which had a small fire in it, and was later overcome by fumes charged with carbonic acid gas. Then he fell back into the cupola, where he was found next morning by an employee named Walker, who immediately gave the alarm. A rope was secured, and Mr. Singleton went down into the cupola and fastened a rope round the body, which was then drawn to the surface. The left hand and leg of deceased were badly burned.
Dr. Cameron, of Mudgee, was quickly on the spot, and after an examination he formed the opinion that death was due to the poisonous fumes inhaled by deceased.
Deceased was a son of Mr. Robert Russell, the manager of the Wall's Siding enterprise, and had a bright future before him. After a successful course at the Manly High School, where he remained until he was 17 years of age, he joined his father with the object of acquiring a full knowledge of the business, and had become remarkably proficient in all branches of his chosen profession. Possessed of a sunny disposition, he was a great favorite with all, and his untimely death had a most depressing effect on everyone who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
His father, who is well-known in the Lithgow and Excelsior districts, naturally watched the progress of his bright young son with a paternal pride, and the blow came to him with stunning force. His mother, who resides with her four daughters at Manly, only recently arrived at Wall's Siding on holiday, and the tragedy following a happy companionship of some few weeks, has prostrated her. To the bereaved ones we extend our deepest sympathy.
The funeral, which was largely attended, took place to the Methodist portion of the Mudgee cemetery on Saturday, the arrangements being in the hands of Mr. H. Barton18 .

1931

11 March 1931
ORGANISER'S REPORT.
TOM LYNCH.
Continuing along the Mudgee line, I visited the Havilah dolomite works, and found things at a standstill. However, I interviewed a few of the employees, who were living roundabout. These men informed me that things had been very slack, and that they were only getting in a day or two now and again. They had only worked four hours in the previous week. I then went on to the B.H.P. dolomite quarries at Mt. Knowles, but all the men had been paid off with the exception of three, who were working broken time. I also called at the Mt. Frome lime works, but there was only one man on the job, the rest of the men having been off for a fortnight, and there was nothing definite as to when they were to start again. I then cut across to the main Western line, at Wellington, but Donovan's contract job in the main street had just finished, so I continued on to Gam's road job on the Yeoval-Parkes road, but owing to wet weather a number of men were away from the camp. I then went on to Orange and visited the pipeline job, but a number of the men had been paid off from there, and the job was to finish in a few days. The Bathurst sewer job will also be completed in a few weeks. While in Bathurst I made inquiries regarding the Charlton water scheme, which was supposed to be starting up, but I found that there were no prospects of an immediate start, although there are three men on the job at present sinking trial holes. I also inquired into good conduct holiday pay for a number of men who had been paid off the Orange pipeline. The paymaster went into the matter, and all amounts will be settled straightaway.
Having a number of matters to attend to in Sydney, I proceeded there, but was instructed by the Secretary to go down to a job at Bulli Pass, where there was a mess-up over the issue of vouchers and tickets, but as the job had finished up a week previously, it was impossible for me to locate all the men concerned. For some time past I have been appointing R.W.I. Branch agents in all the Western towns, and the following is a list of those appointed up to date: Messrs. J. White, Dubbo; M. Steen, Lithgow; E. Beacham, Bathurst; C. Parsons, Mudgee; F. E. Bernasconi, Orange; A. Birch, Parkes; L. Wales, Grenfell; M. Maher, Young; J. McLeish, Cowra; J. E. Mudge, Woodstock; T. Maidens, Cobar; J. Fletcher, Wilcannia; R. McLean, Nymagee; J. Dowd, Wellington. I received a notice lately from the Secretary that Organisers were to be rationed again, and that I was to stand off for the following fortnight19 .

21 October 1931
Death from Dolomite Fumes.
Regarding the demise of John Cooper, whose body was found by his wife at the Metropolitan Mudgee lime works at Havilah on Friday night, the doctor's diagnosis is to the effect that in all probability Cooper died from inhaling the fumes arising from the treatment of dolomite. Cooper went to his work as usual on Friday after lunch, and should have been home by 5.30, but when he did not come at 6 o’clock, Mrs. Cooper went up to the furnaces to look tor him. She found him lying on the flatsheet of the furnace - flatsheet being the name of the stand from which the furnace is fed. The screams of the woman quickly attracted the attention of another employee named Kennedy and Mr. Russell, the manager, who rushed to the scene. Cooper then showed signs of life his arms were moving and he was breathing. No time was lost in taking the unfortunate man to Mudgee, a distance of about eight miles, and he was taken to the surgery of a doctor, who had been notified. The doctor gave him an injection immediately. On arrival however, he found that life was extinct20 .

21 October 1931
DEATH AT LIME WORKS.
Workman Overcome by Fumes
SYDNEY, Tuesday. - As John Cooper (40 years), of Mudgee, did not return home for tea, his wife went to the metropolitan lime works at Havilah, where he was employed, and found him lying unconscious. He died shortly afterwards.
The doctors believe that he died from the effects of fumes arising from dolomite. An inquest will be held21 .

1937

3 June 1937
'Booster' For Mudgee
STATED 'Country Life,' in referring to P.P. Board conference delegates: - A capable champion of the Mudgee district is Mr. A. J. Mills, of 'Yulinhra,' on Lawson's Creek. He tells alluring tales of the mineral wealth of the district; and he proudly boasts of the activities of the B.H.P.'s Dolomite mines and of the Metropolitan Lime and Cement Company's enterprise. Yet his own property is not a bad little 'gold mine' - the lustre of his merino of pure Havilah blood being none the duller for its close proximity to Mr. Hunter White's famous stud, and his lucerne being a nice and neat contribution to the well-advertised productivity of the district in this respect22 .

1938

7 June 1938
The late Mr. W. C. Wall, who was one of the best authorities on minerals in the State, had big interests in gold and copper at Cobar in its roaring days. He knew that Mudgee district abounded in all kinds of minerals, and he was the first to discover dolomite at Havilah. When he unearthed it, he brought samples to Mudgee. One of the first people he met here was the writer, and he informed him that he had found an unlimited supply of the 'material.' This was proved to be true, and the discoverer ultimately disposed of his interests in the 'find' to Mr. Hunter White and Mr. James Melton. After working it for some time, the owners sold out the mines to the Broken Hill Proprietary Co., who, with a big staff of men, are still working it. Dolomite is used very extensively for smelting steel and iron. The Havilah dolomite is of the highest quality. Wall's Siding, on the Mudgee line, is called after the discoverer of dolomite.
W. C. Wall, in later years, was one of the Members for Mudgee, and years after represented Rylstone In the State House for a long time - so long that it was alleged he once said: 'It is only necessary for me, to send my old boots up to Rylstone and I'll be returned.' However, the late J. C. L. Fitzpatrick set out after Wall's political scalp, and got it - he won by only five or six votes. The election was upset, and fought again. Fitz. won by 40 odd the second time. It was a slashing go. G. H. Reid, B. R. Wise, W. P. Crick, and all the political 'cracks' of the day participated in the contest. Rylstone was right on the map. Both Fitz. and Wall are not now troubling about politics, so far as we know23 .

1950

19 May 1950
MR. J. MELTON
Mr. James Melton, of Bridge Street, passed away on Sunday night, 14th May, after having been a respected resident of this community for ten years.
The late Mr. Melton was widely known throughout the central west of the State. He was the discoverer of the mineral dolomite, at Mount Knowles, near Mudgee, where he carried on business for many years. He supplied dolomite in partnership with the late Mr. Hunter White, of Havilah, on whose property it was discovered. The dolomite was supplied to the Broken Hill proprietary company at Newcastle.
In later years, deceased represented the Main Roads Board as a quarrying expert at Bega, Nowra, Wallerawang and Port Macquarie, and retired about four years ago.
The late Mr. Melton was born at the lime kilns, Wattle Flat, near Bathurst, and was the youngest member of the family. He leaves a sorrowing widow and nine adult children, while one daughter predeceased him about six years ago.
Besides their mother, two members of the family live at Port Macquarie, viz, Mr. Barry Melton, and Phyllis (Mrs. Eric Williams).
The funeral on Tuesday moved from the Church of St. Agnes, and the interment was made in the Roman Catholic portion of the Port Macquarie cemetery, Rev. Fr. Curran officiating24 .

References