mountisa

An extract from The Northern Miner (Charters Towers) Wednesday 17th April 1929. On the arrival of the train Mr. Mullan boarded the engine, and taking the controls, piloted the train past the cheering crowd and broke the ribbon which was stretched across the line. This was held by Mrs. Holley and Mrs. Glendenning. Mount Isa's first lady residents. There seemed to be a tremendous crowd present. The whole of the district must have been out, and some were present from Camooweal and beyond, having motored in for the occasion. The opening of the railway coincidentally occurred on the same date of the turning of the first sod three years previously in Duchess. /however the railway line was not operation for public use until the 15th May 1929. At this time the population of Mount Isa was around 600 people. By August 1929 it had exploded to well over 2,000.

Air leg drilling. A pneumatic cylinder was attached to the drill and its end was secured to the floor by a claw like end. As the drilling progressed the air leg would maintain pressure on the drill and also hold the weight of the drill. Prior using the air legs It was physically tiring for the miner to hold up the heavy drill as well as pushing pressure onto it.

Funeral of Benjamin Stanley Tilley in Miles Street, 1931. Miles Street Looking South East from Grace Street.