Historical information

The mining class visited the Last Chance on the afternoon of Thursday, 8th June, under the guidance of Mr Kirby, the mine manager. Mr Campbell, the photographic instructor, also dared the perils of the deep in order to take some flashlight photos. As this was Mr Campbell's first visit below, several difficulties which he did not now existed prevented success. The students all ranged themselves in poetic and heroic attitudes for the first flashlight, but the development of the plate showed only the light from the candles and the moisture on the lens. The next two tries were better, but were under-exposed, and of no value, except as experience. Two gentlemen from England also went below with the students, but history repeated itself and Australia won the "test." The Englishmen left early. Mr Hart secured a fine specimen of arsenopyrite and indicator slate; also a bootlace, the property of a much-vexed miner, whose boots Mr Hart had borrowed. Horrors! Mr Hart steal a bootlace! Impossible! However, a tragedy was averted by the miner securing a new lace, and he was at once all smiles - so were the students. Mr Campbell took a photo of the students dressed for the occasion, and some were flattered, and some looked very like the universal "Weary Willie". (Ballarat School of Mines Students' Magazine, July 1899, p.2.)

Physical description

Over 24 men pose for a photograph outside the Last Chance mine. Some of the men are members of the visiting Ballarat School of Mines mining class.

Thomas Hart (beard) stands at the back right.

Inscriptions & markings

Verso: Copied from Annual report 1898, Thomas Hart - back Row, 2nd from right with beard.