Palfreyman’s Tunnel

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1912 – Warden’s Court – an application by John Palfreyman on behalf of William E. Jones for a suspension of labour conditions on leasehold, South Kembla.

John Palfreyman deposed that about £1500 had been spent in prospecting, a tunnel driven about 135 yards until an inspector of mines stopped the work on account of the ventilation. The application was to put down bores on the leasehold, lands on the Water Catchment area. Application granted. (South Coast Times & Wollongong Argus 12/01/1912 p10 ex Trove)

1912 – Warden’s Court – an application for a suspension of labour conditions of coal mining lease No. 231, Parish Kembla, County Camden, known as Kembla Harbour Colliery, West Dapto. John Palfreyman stated that the lessee had expended £600 or £700 on the mine. It was proposed to form a company and to make a tramway to the railway line. Suspension was granted. (Ill. Merc. 06/12/1912 p2 ex Trove)

1916 – Mr John Palfreyman purchases the deceased estate of Mr. Joseph Hart, a farm at West Dapto, for £3 per acre. (South Coast Times & Wollongong Argus 08/09/1916 p10 ex Trove)

1916/17/18 – John Palfreyman persistently lobbies the Central Illawarra Council to undertake repairs to the access road to his farm at West Dapto.

1922 – Warden’s Court – Mr. H. G. Hyde complained to the Court that the labour conditions upon M.L.6 lease No. 398, Parish of Kembla and leased by John Palfreyman, had not been fulfilled. Requesting the lease be cancelled and asking that the lease be granted to himself. Photographs were produced of overgrown tunnels with no recent work having been carried out. (Ill Merc. 17/02/1922 p5 ex Trove)

1922 – Warden’s Court – Mr. H. G. Hyde’s complaints from the 17/02/1922 to the Court were continued with evidence on behalf of John Palfreyman being tendered by James Jarvis, William Rogers, J. C. Jones, Herbert Palfreyman and Fred Palfreyman. It was recommended that the lease be cancel and granted to Hyde. (Ill Merc. 03/03/1922 p8 ex Trove)

1925 – Warden’s Court – re the application by James Fletcher to enter upon and prospect on coal lands [573 acres, being portions 232, 226, 227, 262, 297, 231, 230, 229 and 228, West Dapto] belonging to W. A. Lang; A. Swan; W. R. Armstrong (Illawarra Land and Harbour Corporation); and John Palfreyman. Application granted for 3 months, rent 3d per acre; £100 to be paid to J. Palfreyman for tunnel if lease issued. (South Coast Times & Wollongong Argus 21/08/1925 p22 ex Trove)

1926 – Mr John Palfreyman of Corrimal dies 8/10/1926 aged 75 years. Connected to coal mining all his life. Acquired a mining lease at West Dapto spending time and money in its development. The proposed Port Kembla- Moss Vale Railway is intended to pass close to the property. (South Coast Times & Wollongong Argus 08/10/1926 p16 ex Trove)

1926 – Probate of the will of Mr John Palfreyman will be granted to executors, (sons) Walter Palfreyman and Herbert Palfreyman after 14 days. ((South Coast Times & Wollongong Argus 05/11/1926 p15 ex Trove)