A Unique History From My Work Diaries

Surveying Jobs

North Nottinghamshire Area from April 1967

Page - 41 -

Feb 1971 - Page 3

Part 3 - First Shift Underground at Ollerton

They had a laugh at my expense. I went kitted up as I did at Teversal that was a shallow cool pit only 215 yards deep shaft and about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. I wore a vest, thick shirt, underpants, and trousers. Boilersuit, duffel jacket, scarf, dog collar for oil lamp when crawling through faces, gloves in a pocket, knee pads and of course as I reached pit bottom at 550 yards I nearly melted. It was 86 degrees Fahrenheit and immediately I had to disrobe and leave my coat, shirt and scarf in the pit bottom cabin. But I still retained my knee pads and a green with white spots cravat and always wore them underground, never did get adverse remarks, although I thought I might. It became my trade mark as such.

Tues 9 … U/g …First shift underground … Angling and bay measuring for 25s Heading thirling … 5 men (W Keith Houghton (WKH), self (RB), Doug Stockham (DS), John Gill (JG) and John Gilroy (JGy)). We sat waiting in the manriding cars for about an hour and travelled inbye at 11am on the 622s East side paddy with Mr D Rodden who introduced me to Mr TJR Sales, Group Manager. I realised straightaway how very little work got done. At Teversal I would have almost finished a job by that time. We got out of the pit about 4pm, the Line lads getting some overtime. In future if the paddy was not ready for going we would walk inbye, get the job done and ride outbye and ride the pit as soon as we were able.

I took over the theodolite angling and from the last base turned out the angle Keith told me. The heading was 1 foot 9 inches off line and no line pins. It had been set out by Doug Stockham the Supervisory Linesman by turning an angle by sighting to a point 50 yards down 25s LG (which was bent, there was eyesight in it). Keith Houghton wanted to go out of the pit and arrange to go back to the heading on the following day to check it, however I insisted we checked it again there and then and proceeded to angle from 3 theodolite stations outbye back to the turn out well inside the hour, proving unfortunately that the heading was out of line. There were no line pins, only a few chalked marks on the arches. I often wondered later how on earth the headings would have thirled, I doubt they would have based on the start line which was wrong by umpteen degrees. However after Keith had discussed it with D Rodden the Manager agreed that the arches could be moved over allowing a proper line guided by line pins to proceed. Not all the arches were moved over though as they wanted to advance not retreat, so there was a kink in the first few yards, but that was disguised somewhat by the conveyor belt transfer point …. !

Wed 10 … Office … Progress and sorting. I decided that because no gate in the pit had been surveyed using a theodolite other than the major traverse I would survey each gate in turn using the traverse as base lines. The traverse when plotted showed that several junctions on the North side of the pit were drawn wrongly and as I looked carefully there were errors everywhere. A theodolite had not been used down the pit for the past 13 years and all surveys had been carried out using loose leg angling and ground taping from one base of 5 pins in line to a new base of 5 pins in line. There was no check surveys done or check measuring. The system was appalling. I found later that on some occasions some pins would not be in line but the average was taken and it was said that on one occasion there was only one pin but the survey was carried out by just sighting down the centre of the gate!

Thurs 11 … U/g … (1) Theodolite angling and string catenary measuring 58s LG … the band was double sided, the measurements in metres and a straight pull tight check measurement in feet and inches on the other side of the band just to make sure there was no error in reading in metres … 3 men (RB*, KB, HAR) East side … Office … Calculations.

Fri 12 … Office … 622s Paddy Road drawing with gradients. Computer sheets for survey.

Sat 13 …  21800 tons

Mon 15 … Office … Progress figures. Calculated 25s / 42s thirling traverse.

Tues 16 … U/g … (2) Continued theodolite angling from 58s LG up 25s into 58s Airway … 4 men (RB*, DE, HAR, WKH) … Office … Calculations.

Wed 17 … U/g … (3) Catenary measuring from 58s up 25s LG and into 58s Airway … 5 men (KWH, RB, KB, HAR, DS) … Office … Calculations.

Thurs 18 … U/g … (4) Theodolite angling and catenary measuring in 57s AW … 5 men (WKH, RB*, KB, HAR, DS) East side … Office … Calculations. (5 shifts U/g)

Fri 19 … Office … Calculating surveys and plotting same, 57s and 58s. Tuition with Kevin Bradley how to do calculations … never been shown or involved before.

Sat 20 … 21800 tons

Mon 22 … Office … Progress etc. Tuition with Doug Stockham how to calculate levels… never been shown or involved before, he only did the levelling part at which he was very competent.

Tues 23 … U/g … (5) Theodolite angling CTS 1” Tavistock and catenary measuring 57s to 25s Airway and catenary measuring along 25s L G … 5 men (RB*, HAR, JG, SB, JG).

Wed 24 … U/g … (6) Catenary measuring along 25s LG from 58s to 55s and 57s to 52s … 5 men (RB*, HAR, KB, SB, SMG) … Office … Calculations.

Thurs 25 … U/g … (1) Precise Catenary measuring with leg method and vertical angles … 42s LG North side … first time to show others how to use the system … 7 men (A Eddie Betts. Group Surveyor (AEB), Albert Robinson (AER), Group Surveyor, Ron Hays (RH), Group Surveyor, W Keith Houghton (WKH), Dougie Stockham (DS), Kevin Bradley (KB), Hadi (Hadawi Abdul Razak Al Rekabi, from Iraq) (HAR) … (RB*in charge) … Albert Robinson argued about starting at the inbye end and working outbye, but that meant walking both ways. I said that was wasting time and we were a long way out from the Pit bottom. AEB phoned Arthur Morley Area Surveyor who agreed that there was only me who had the experience and had used that system. The circuit 25s / 42s check survey North side. 1st shift of 5 … 61 stations and 5 miles app ... I suggested 5 shifts angling at average 12 per shift at 4 per hour … was achieved in normal day shift working with no overtime or week-ends and average of 1 mile per day measuring … was achieved similarly. Measured 42s LG less one length on the first shift due to noise from a fan at 20s development heading. Everyone except me was ignorant of the Catenary method of measuring so I had to do all the organising. We worked inbye so that we could ride back on the conveyor and not have to climb on the conveyor structure across the waterlogged swilley twice that was easily measured across on the way inbye by using short and long bays. Once the others saw the advantages of the catenary system of measuring and the relative speed all were impressed and soon we got into a good rhythm. Albert Robinson insisted that he did the booking but he was so slow and had to have each measurement called out several times that I decided to jot down the readings also and once 3 readings had been taken and agreed within 1 mm I shouted for the measuring band to be pulled tight and read on the other side in feet and inches as a check against a possible mistake of reading a metre mark incorrectly. (I actually checked it there and then because I had a conversion chart in my notebook so I knew we were right on the job). Then the band was pulled on to the next length. It was seen by the others as a good idea. Albert by this time had not even worked out the first readings, never mind the third set. He was a bit annoyed to start with but realised that I had worked the distance out correctly as we exchanged notes at each setting. Eddie Betts read one end, Doug Stockham pulled 20lb tension steadily after yanking it in the first place, of course unused to it and Keith or Ron Hays read off the measurements at the other end of the band. Eddie Betts took vertical angles with the Watts dial at alternate stations measuring the vertical angle outbye and then inbye. I organised the routine and whilst the band was being tensioned I used to touch it to stop the possibility of it whipping when a tension of 20lb was applied. We eventually did well after the first two or three lengths using the 50m band. I had arranged with the gearhead driver regarding a ride back on the belt and it worked.

Fri 26 … Office … Calculations of the measurements. Copying survey. The system of measuring was certainly a talking point both at the office and Area HQ.

Sat 27 … 23535 tons

Mar 1971

Mon 1 … Surface … to Teversal to fetch catenary information, charts etc for sag and pull (RB*) … Office … Calculations and filling in Computer forms for the survey.

Tues 2 … U/g … (5) Theodolite (CTS 1” Tavistock) angling from 57s AW up old 26s and closed onto bottom of 622s Paddy road … 4 men (RB*, HAR, SB, JG) East side … Office … Calculations of same.

Wed 3 … U/g … (6) Catenary measuring by strings from 25s up 26s and to bottom of 622s Paddy … 5 men (RB*, DS, HAR, KB, WB) East side … Office … Calculations of same. (10 u/g)

Thurs 4 … U/g … (2) Precise catenary measuring from 42s LG across 20s Centre Gate to bottom of Draper’s Paddy … 6 men (AEB, AR, WKH, RB, DS, HAR) North side … 2nd shift of 5 … improved greatly.

Fri 5 … Office … Progress plans for 25s / 42s connection. Calculations. Information on new Ventilation negative. 

Sat 6 … 23670 tons

Mon 8 … Office … Continued with Ventilation negatives.

Tues 9 … U/g … (7) Theodolite angling and catenary measuring 57s LG … 4 men (RB*, HAR, SB, WH) … It had been impossible to get into the LG earlier due to large fall over and around the gearhead, there was only a small hole where the conveyor belt ran … Office … Calculations of same.

Wed 10 … U/g … (3) Precise catenary measuring North Paddy (Drapers) … 6 men (AEB, AR, RB, DS, HAR, KB) … 3rd shift of 5 … Even allowed the Paddy to traverse twice by plumbing up to the roof then resetting tripods after it had gone by. Only a short hold up … Office … Calculatiing the lengths.

Thurs 11 … U/g … (8) Theodolite angling into 25s heading and round old 25s face line and closed … 5 men (RB*, HAR, SB, SMG) … Office … Calculating.

Fri 12 … Office … Calculations of same and plotted. New Ventilation negatives finished and colouring prints. The plans that were in use were disgusting and erroneous.

Sat 13 … 24108 tons

Mon 15 … Office … Ventilation prints put in folder and completed. Plan and elevation of Typical Stopping for Mr D Rodden. Information to D Oliver D/m. If anything DO was one who liked the Line diagrams or Flow charts for development. That was pain keep constantly changing them every week. Didn’t like that, never done it before. Never did it again after he left. Apart from that generally left me alone realising what I was trying to achieve. Maybe he bothered WK Houghton when I was down the pit and he was in the office.

Tues 16 … U/g … (9) Theodolite angling off 100s LG into 109s LG and line adjustment and taped … 4 men (RB*, HAR, DE, JG) South side … Office … Calculations. (15 u/g)

Wed 17 … U/g … (10) Catenary measuring from 25s heading across 25s face and 25s AW to 58s AW … 5 men (RB*, DS, HAR, KB, DE) East side … Office … Calculations and plotted.

Thurs 18 … U/g … (4) Precise catenary measuring down East side paddy 622s and to 1s area … 6 men (AEB, AR, RB, DS, HAR, KB) … 4th shift of 5 … Office … Check calculations.

Fri 19 … Office … Calculations. Information etc sorted.

Sat 20 … 24094 tons - Bought a 1968 Vauxhall Viva, White

Mon 22 … Office … Calculations etc and plotting.

Tues 23 … U/g … (11) Theodolite angling and catenary measuring in old 100s RH and into 109s AW … 5 men (WKH, RB*, DS, HAR, KB) South side … Rode in and out on the jotty at high speed, the cars un-dogged and parked in a siding and only used at change of shift times … Office … Checking thirling calculations.

Wed 24 … U/g … (12) Theodolite angling on 24s Trunks … 4 men (WKH, RB*, HAR, KB) East side … Office … Calculations.

Thurs 25 … U/g … (5) Precise catenary measuring from bottom of East paddy, 622s to 25s thirling heading … 6 men (AEB, AH, RB, DS, HAR, KB) … from North side 42s turn point 2330’ for thirling up North paddy down East paddy through hole in overcast to East trunks and down 25s trunks to 25s thirling heading … 5th shift of 5 … total distance 5 miles app completed. Office … Check calculations. (20 u/g)

The check angling was carried out by A Eddie Betts using a Watts 20” Theodolite with Albert E Robinson booking and Linesmen using hand-held wooden framed tracing paper screens behind the target lamps so that the sighting could be to the string hanging from the theodolite stations and not a cap lamp flame other than for approximate sight point. It worked well and the 61 instrument settings were completed in 5 one day a week shifts on normal day shift average of 12 angles a shift in about 4 to 5 hours, even allowing the paddy cars and supply runs to pass. One extra angle was taken again by me through the hole in the overcast as an extra check because of the very short steep sight of 5 metres that was the common point to the traverse. A mean from 4 angles on each face was obtained and it was agreed to alter the North side bearing to 42s end of the thirling by 1 minute of arc relevant to the East side bearing that was accepted for 25s end. To survey towards the pit bottom and onto the same road not using the overcast sight would have added another mile app to the traverse and of course extra shifts.

Fri 26 … Office … Calculations with Eddie Betts … Check at 42s and closing lines etc.

Sat 27 … 22064 tons

Mon 29 … Office … Made new Stone Dust negative on 6 inch scale. Continued with calculations.

Tues 30 … U/g … (2) Checked and established new line in 25s heading, paint and fluorescent strips after most of the arches had been moved over … (RB*, HAR, DE) East side.

Wed 31 … Office … Made new Pithead Sketch negative and Airborne Dust. Prints for Stone Dust. Calculations … Surface … Dirt tip to lagoons etc with Ron Hays Group Surveyor and Keith Houghton … (RH, WKH, RB).
Teversal output 644,000 tons max, app £700,000 profit.  Ollerton 1,025,000 tons for 1970-1971

April 1971

Thurs 1 … U/g … (13) Theodolite angling and check taping in metres from bottom of 1in4 drift at 100s, down 100s LH and across to 110s and 109s … check and new line in 109s LG … 5 men (WKH, RB*, HAR, DE, SB) South side.

Fri 2 … Office … Calculations and plotting. Re-plotting new plan 43 / 6868 ... Prints.

Sat 3 … 22465 tons

Mon 5 … Office … Continued with plan 43/6868 plotting and inking in. Information to Method Study re Manriding etc.

Tues 6 … Office … Continued with plan 43/6868. Tidying up office and re-organising. Plotting 25s water pipe line.

Wed 7 … Office … New 6 inch Conveyor negative. Put paper on tables as covers.

Thurs 8 … Office … Deputy’s Districts negative. Title on Conveyor negative. R & FF negatives sent.

Fri 9 … Good Fri, Mon 12 Easter Monday Holiday and Tues 13 Holiday.
22844 tons
Annual Leave Fri 9 and Wed 14 – Sat 17  
11782 tons
In charge … KW Houghton on Leave Mon 19 Apr – Sat May 1

Mon 19 … Office … Plotted plans to date for Ron Hays, Group Surveyor. Cleaned the Printing machine with Service Engineer.

Tues 20 … Office … New 1/240 Pit bottom area plan for electrical equipment. Conveyor negative and prints coloured. Airborne Dust negative and prints, 1 for Bill Stafford, Dust Suppression Officer and 1 for Harold Jackson, Area HQ.

Wed 21 … Office … Completed 6 inch negative in preparation for Ozaloft copies. Ron Hays, Group Surveyor took to Area HQ. Manrider plan prepared.

Thurs 22 … Office … Deputy’s Districts plans coloured. Information re haulages for plan.

Fri 23 … Office … One set of plans … various. Finished Haulage plan and prints.

Sat 24 … 23050 tons

Mon 26 … Office … Inking in and dating Working plans. Continued with copy also. Made Methane Drainage plan. 1s and 2s turns … Surface … Marked a line on with Level in Pit Head Baths for Joiners … 2 men (RB*, DS).

Tues 27 … U/g … (3T) Theodolite angling and catenary measuring in 42s LG thirling heading. Also centre line in 44s and grade check … 4 men (RB*, HAR, DE, JG) … Office … Cleaned tape. Sorting out the cupboard. Info re sections to D Oliver D/m and TJR Sales, Production Manager.Unfortunately 44s had been set out on the edge of a swilley and the seam split partway down the face heading and the face team followed the bottom leaf and the LH AW team followed the top leaf so when they thirled there was a difference in height of several feet so the arches that had been set were graded down to the face floor level with extended legs organised by Derek Stevenson, Assistant U/m. It was put right in a few shifts but it put a downward grade in the first length of the new gate. ‘Nobody’ panicked particularly and ‘nobody’ was blamed. I was completely unaware of the seam split because ‘nobody’ told me. I was questioned about it of course but this was a very typical example where the planners or I should have been notified by the geologist, who of course didn’t have be in the firing line at the pit. I would find that they never would be!

Wed 28 … Office … Info re 42s and 25s sections to Harold Jackson, Area Dust Suppression. Stippling on 42s plan. Cleaning cupboard and under the drawing table. Fetched boxes from Supermarket to re stack books. Colouring 6 inch mounted sheets. Calculated and plotted 10s.

Thurs 29 … Office … Tidying Stock cupboard and mending the floor. Electrical info. Plotted 42s/25s drivages on 1/500 scale. Edging 6 inch scale mounted sheets. … Surface … to Welfare … Billiard table plan … (RB*) … Office … Calculating catenary measurements.

Fri 30 … Office … Sorting out plan drawers. Calculated catenary measurements. Surface … Measured up Powder magazine … 2 men (RB*, KB) plus Jimmy Pickering (was Supplies Officer, Acting Safety Officer? Len Collins off ill ?) … Office … Drew a plan on 1/1250 scale. 2s AW turn offsets plan etc with John Ross, Assistant U/m.

May 1971

Sat 1 … 23200 tons

Mon 3 … Office … Progress etc. Copied section sheets. Updating Keith Houghton on work done.

Tues 4 … U/g … (14) Spudding traverse from pit bottom to Drapers Paddy … 2 men (WKH, RB) … Office … Looking through old roll plans and flat sheets.

Wed 5 … Office … Electrical plans. Copies of machines from Storekeeper Matt Marshall. Sections for 57s.

Thurs 6 … U/g … (15) Theodolite angling from No2 Pit bottom to Drapers paddy … lined in the base on old Diesel road … 4 men (WKH, RB*, DS, KB) (25 u/g)

Fri 7 … U/g … (16) Check survey with Watts dial up both 57s AW and 57s LG and lines check using theodolite bases … 4 men (WKH, RB*, DS, KB) … Office … Calculated and plotted same.

Sat 8 … 20800 tons
Sat 8 … North Notts Area Mining Society Buffet Dance.

Mon 10 … Office … Check calculated 57s face length o.k. Various calculations re 42s / 25s connection. Plotted progress on plans. Copied surveys to date in book.

Tues 11 … U/g … (17) Completed angling from Harrison’s hill to No2 Pit bottom and Diesel Road to main Correlation base … 4 men (WKH, RB, HAR and later DS) … and Surface in afternoon … Set out a new Pit yard base line.

Wed 12 … Office … Measuring to buildings, railway lines etc … 2 men (WKH, RB) … Office … Plan to date. Information to A Eddie Betts.

Thurs 13 … Office … Calculated traverse to Pit bottom from Drapers … Surface … Continued measures to buildings and railway lines (WKH, RB) … Office … Plotted same.

Fri 14 … Office … Completed Surface negative and stencilling.

Sat 15 … 20081 tons

Mon 17 … Office … 6 inch mounted plan. Plan for Mr Brian Perry ex Manager … Surface … Gyro theodolite on new Pit yard base … angling to chimney … 3 men (AEB, AR, RB) … Office … Plan for HMI G Weston re grades at 57s and 58s.

Tues 18 … U/g … (18) Correlating pit bottom base line with Gyro theodolite, observations at each end of base 9.30am – 5.30pm … 6 men (AEB, Ron Hays RH, AER, WKH, RB, HAR) … Discuss suggested 2 minutes in arc different to old value. To do again when time permits. This was the first use of the Gyro theodolite underground in North Notts Area. Obviously we were all learning and it was a long shift.
There was still one diesel loco running about on the circuit on salvage duties. The coal haulage system had changed to conveyors and skips at No1 shaft in July 1970. The other 5 locos had been sent to Welbeck on manriding duties.

Wed 19 … Office … Electrical plans finished as far as possible. Plotted 42s levels. Roadhead Support plan for Mr D Rodden.

Thurs 20 … Surface … Observations with Wild GAK1 Gyro Theodolite on surface base line … 6 men (AEB, AR, WKH, RB, DS, KB) … Office … Calculations for 25s / 42s headings.

Fri 21 … Office … Made a shelf for books in the Office. Calculated 58s levels. Made a Pumping plan. Manager’s Wall plan pencilled in and tidied up with HAR. The plan was on 1/5000 scale in a wooden frame on the wall and covered with a very heavy thick transparent sheet of plastic that could be sketched on and then erased. I used to update the plan about every 2 or 3 weeks depending upon the advance of the panels or headings. I did this when the Manager was out. I could manage to get the heavy sheet out of the frame and lower it to the floor myself then update the plan but needed help to put it back. I called on a Clerk or one of our team to do this. The Manager was very pleased that I also updated the plan prior to any high officials visiting, such as Deputy Director, Director or important visitors.

Sat 22 … 20020 tons

Mon 24 … Office … Checked up 1s finish position and inked in. Computer sheets for 25s.

Tues 25 … U/g … (19) Theodolite angling in 58s LG and 58s AW and 25s LG. Conveyor belt line extension at 25s A. 10s LG development lines … 3 men (RB*, DS, HAR) … Office … Copying up surveys.

Wed 26 … Office … Calculated and plotted 58s survey. Finished off copying roughly information onto Copy of 43/6868. Went through all section sheets from 1947 to date. Information on plan re machines etc. Pump information.

Thurs 27 … Office … Plotting 25s LG survey on 1/500 … then went U/g to 25s to check arches.
Thurs 27 … U/g … (20) On my way out of the pit, I had been to check the heading line, I met Mr D Rodden and Mr D Oliver who wanted me to get a team of men down there on the night shift to do a survey of the 25s trunk belt because it kept turning over, particularly when running empty. It was a big job to break the belt, unravel it and re-joint it again, taking several hours and loss of coal production …. I said that I could do it there and then on my own to find out why and asked to borrow their oil lamps … for 3 in line … they were quizzical but agreed and left me to it. I did an offset survey of 25s conveyors utilising the theodolite stations along that gate using the line of the edge of the conveyor with the 3 lamps and proved that 25s A gearhead was out of line by about 2 feet and the bull nose cockeyed, there was eyesight in it without my line …. I drew a scaled drawing when I got out of the pit and laid It the full length of the Conference Room table for all parties to see. In attendance Mr David Rodden, Manager, David Oliver, Deputy Manager, Jack Taylor, Undermanager, Wilf Pearson, Mechanical Engineer and his Deputy Jim Hooley, all open minded and interested in my findings. Bas Hodgkiss, Conveyor Belt Overman who was sceptical and Fred Marples, Conveyor Belt Mechanical Chargeman, completely against it, stating that he had installed the belt to the Surveyor’s line. What he didn’t know unfortunately is that I found the line to be wrong and was bent, I anchored the cotton with several plan weights and stretched a reel of cotton from a distance down the gate on the edge of the conveyor that was straight and when the cotton was drawn tight it showed the gearhead out of line. Mr D Rodden was convinced I was right by my findings and having faith in me ordered that the gearhead be pulled over and repositioned on the night shift to the marks I had left and the new line I had flapped on the girders … The gearhead was moved over to my line on that nightshift … they ran the belt empty for a good half hour wanting to prove me wrong but the belt never turned over again, either empty or full. I got another row of medals and Fred Marples actually started to listen to me and asked if I could cast my eye over the rest of the gearheads when I was passing by. This I did and the odd one wanted a few inches moving over and everybody was happy, particularly him and Bas Hodgkiss because they never had any more problems in the future and always asked my advice. I had won everybody’s confidence.  (30 u/g)

Fri 28 … Office … Plotted 109s levels and contours and showed Hadi Al Rekabi the method etc. He had a BSc in Mining and was studying for his Surveyor’s Certificate so I allowed him into the Office, early ride, or stay in the office occasionally. Plotted 25s / 42s on 1/5000. Discuss.

Sat 29 …  18835 tons

June 1971 

Annual Leave May 31 – Sat June 12 Scotland

A Neil Mason (ANM), 3rd year Apprentice transferred from Clipstone. Very naïve because of lack of experience and training but soon improved with my tuition to use instruments etc.

Sat 5 … 11733 tons

Sat 12 … 23034 tons

Mon 14 … Office … New printing machine table installed, old machine taken out. Going through work done in past fortnight. Calculated and checked and plotted 1s and 2s surveys.

Tues 15 … Office … Explaining things and routine and various with Neil Mason … not had a lot of experience at Clipstone. Ventilation negatives. Methane drainage plans to date for 109s South side.

Wed 16 … Office … Finished Ventilation negatives. Prints and coloured.

Thurs 17 … U/g … (21) Precise Catenary measuring with tripods from pit bottom to Drapers paddy … 6 men (KWH, RB, DS, HAR, KB, ANM) … Surface same day … Measured Surface base line by catenary.

Fri 18 … Office … Calculations for Underground and Surface catenary etc. Civil Engineer re Stockyard fence. Printing on 10s Installation of Electricity negative. Coloured 6 inch plan. General supervision of others in Office.

Sat 19 … 24574 tons

Mon 21 … Office … 6 inch mounted plan put on wall. Plotting on 1/5000.

Tues 22 … U/g … (22) Levelling and check measuring 58s AW. Check measured 1s LG to 2s AW … 4 men (RB*, ANM, WH, JG) … Office … Calculated 109s survey.

Wed 23 … Surface … Kern Tachymeter survey of new slurry pond on Dirt tip near Rexco Plant … 3 men (WKH, RB*, DS) … Office … Plotted same. Info re Methane holes to D Oliver, Deputy Manager for Geoff Weston HMI. It was a good job I had sorted it out beforehand.

Thurs 24 … U/g … (23) Completed catenary measuring from pit bottom base to old North Diesel Loading point … 6 men (WKH, RB, HAR, ANM, KB, DS) … Office … Calculations. Cleaned the tape.

Fri 25 … Office … Computer programs (6). Cleaned Printing machine and changed the bulb. Experimenting with new Ozaloft negative material.

Sat 26 … 1342 men. Record weekly output 26,552 tons, 77.7 OMS, 1,34 2 men on books.

Mon 28 … Office … Negatives amended and prints and coloured.

Tues 29 … Surface … Measurements at No2 Dirt tip for Electrical dept. Had ranging poles and plumb bobs painted … (WKH, RB) … Office … Made plan of same. Distributed Quarterly plans after colouring same.