The Electrode – Vol. 2. April, 1923 No. 10. – page 192

There is quite a chronicle of happy happenings to mention in this issue. There has been quite a flock of storks in the village lately, and Tom Crabtree, Les King, Bob Brown are richer for their advent.

Mr. Lee has made a beginning on his new contract for the erection eight additional homes and a village hall, and when this job is put through the village will look considerably different. As the sketch plan published herein will show, it is intended to develop a small park area around the hall, and this should form a very pleasing break in the mass of houses, especially in a few years’ time, when the trees are grown. The grounds are being prepared now for tree planting.

One of the villagers has suggested that a steady programme of tree planting should be gone on with in order to protect the place from the high winds which are so prevalent. We have not seen an area with a more beautiful outlook than Lutana. It is a constant joy to those living there; but the winds are a nuisance. It is therefore up to us to keep them in check by a profusion of trees. Again, as trees do much to purify the atmosphere, there are strong health reasons for putting in plenty of them. Those that have already been planted are doing very well, where they have been looked after. Arthur Farley and Jack Nordin have been particuarly successful, and Tom Crabtree has a yoiung forest in his yard, of which he would like to give a few trees away. Any villager who would like to take a well-grown young tree should look Tom up.

Certain storekeepers have been asking permission to build a store in the village, but the pitch has so far been kept for the Co-op. council. The Council has marked down the spot where the store should go, and have been busy nutting out a design for it. We understand the Council will be putting up definite proposals shortly, and it will not be very long before the Co-op. will be offering a general range of goods in the village at prices which are exercising such a pull at the Crib Time Store.

Arrangements have been recently been made with the Railway Department to run two special trains per week from the village – Tuesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. This will enable the womenfolk to go into town without having to tackle the long walk. They will be able to get back by the afternoon shift train, and will thus get three or four hours in town for visiting or marketing.

The subdivision of Orpwood’s block has been put in to the Glenorchy Council for approval, and the area will soon be pegged out. These blocks will be available for any zincworker who desires to have one under the home building scheme, and as they are close to work, and will put in at about half the figure of the land agent, they should prove attractive to thrifty folk.

If building development goes on as rapidly during the next two years as during the last, it will not be very long before the electric tram will come along Bowen road and send values up.

The Electrode – Vol. 3. January, 1924 No. 1. – page 1

The kids Xmas tree at Lutana Hall was a real winner. What a sight to see 150 little Zincs’ all in the pink having the time of their lives! The gramophone “also ran” – but a bad last.

The Electrode – Vol. 3. June, 1925 No. 10. – page 285

And kindergartens everywhere are working to dispel the “grey days” – to make all little lives gay and glad, wholesome and happy. Some of the older folk realise this, and pack their “under-sevens” off every morning, but alas! not all parents. Whooping cough and mumps have visited Lutana (as well as other parts of Hobart), so the average percentage of attendance is low for this month – 24. A hearty invitation is extended to all who are interested, but especially to the mothers whose children do not attend, to come any morning and see the little people in kindergarten.

There are miniature chairs and tables and white table cloths and plates for morning lunch; blocks of all sizes, balls and two dolls, reins and coloured wooden beads; and Messrs. W. White and S. Harper have just finished a very nice blackboard for the children to draw on. These two gentlemen have the very hearty thanks of Miss Trappes and the Kindergarten Committee.

Euchre tournaments are still being held every Thursday fortnight to raise funds for the kindergarten, with Mr. T. B. Hack and M.C. The committee thank Mrs. F. Grubb for help in distributing the euchre notices in Lutana. Miss Brownell is helping Miss Trappes to lead the young ideas gently. The subject for this quarter is “People Who Help in the City” which sounds rather advanced perhaps for such small heads, but one remembers that butchers and bakers and candlestick makers give their portion of help in a city, as well as – perhaps – politicians.

My apologies for a scanty contribution this time. A fortnight as Brown’s River has made life rushed since. Doubtless I will have regained the “quiet tenor of my ways” by next issue of “The Electrode.”

The Electrode – Vol. 3. September, 1925 No. 12. – page 344

This image shows the outside of the Hall as it was orginally built. A gate and fence is under constuction – which was later replaced with a higher fence to provide more security for the hall and garden. The wooden box at the front was built to protect a horse chestnut tree – these trees were planted around the Lutana Village - which unfortunately most didn's survive.

The Electrode – Vol. 3. December, 1925 No. 14. – page 395

Dorrie King and Joan Baker have made their mark as amusement promoters, for the concert they put over at the Lutana-hall last month was a real winner. The house was full and the items went with a swing. Friend Bishop did a “stammer” stunt. Another gentleman with a burnt cork face described all the noses he had ever seen. Then there were a little clog dancing, a reel or two, and some well rendered songs. But the kiddies’ choruses were what pleased me most, and they called for the hardest work from the promoters. After the concert, supper and a dance filled in the time until 12 o’clock, and the Hall Funds benefited to the tune of £7 10s., or thereabouts.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. March, 1926 No. 2. – page 56

“A child, more than all other gifts
That earth can offer to declining man,
Brings hope with it, and forward-looking thoughts.”

And so, with hope, “and forward-looking thoughts,” Kindergarten has started, in the New Year, with many fresh little faces and shy little feet, the daily round of song and story, and play which is really character- building.

Character-building has, of course, always been necessary, but

“In the elder days of Art,
Builders wrought with greatest care,
Each minute and unseen part;
For the gods see everywhere.”

now, as long as the outside is fairly presentable, most of us are satisfied.”Life is too short,” we are in such a hurry that we forget the graces, the beauty and the depth of meaning of work really well done, of lives well spent, of literature, and art finely executed.

Kindergarten does not, of course, profess to do all these, but they are part of its ideals.

Children need ideals, when fairies slip away, the little folk who dance in the moonlight, whose enchanting music is always just beyond.

“Flitting, passing, seen and gone,
Never reached nor found at rest,
Baffling search, but beckoning on
To the sunset of the Blest.”

* * * * *

Chase we still, with baffled feet,
Smiling eye and waving hand”

till the faries have vanished away from the little people of six and seven years old, and only the ideals which have crept in, almost unnoticed, are there to fill their place.

And so they find, instead of fairy palaces and gardens, Fancy’s wonderland, a real world about them, deeds to do, fortunes to make – and no one is too small, or too weak to weild a hammer, or carry a stone, in the Building of the World.

“Isn’t it strange,
That princes and kings,
And clowns that caper
In sawdust rings,
And common people,
Like you and me,
Are builders for eternity.

“Each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass,
A book of rules;
And each must make -
Ere life is flown,
A stumbling-block
Or a stepping-stone.”

Lutana has now 36 little builders, under the care of Miss M. V. Trappes, with Miss M. Schaedel and Miss K. Loney to assist her.

There has been a big drop in attendance, as Kindergarten closed for Christmas vacation with 64 on the register. The majority or those who left have “turned seven,” or gone to the new State School Kindergartern at Moonah, which can now take children from 5 years old. Lutana Kindergarten welcomes the little ones from 2 years to seven, and hopes (and expects) the numbers will increase.

Euchre tournaments are again being held fortnightly, and the committee will be very pleased to welcome new friends on Thursday, March 25, at Lutana-hall.

Mr. and Mrs. Meredith kindly offered to donate a pictutre of the King and Queen, but though it seems a “strange anomaly” in so loyal a city as Hobart, the pictures could not be procured. Does anyone know where they can be purchased?

Miss Trappes is expecting new equipment, which was bought with the 10 pounds kindly donated by the Co-operative Council this week; and Mr. Syd. Harper is going to make a new cupboard to keep it in.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. September, 1926 No. 5. – page 162-163

Annual Report of Lutana Free Kindergarten.
June, 1926.
Patron and Patroness: Mr. and Mrs. David Meredith.
President: Mr. C. R. Baker.
Vice-President: Mrs. W. White.
Auditor: Mr. C. O. Turner.
Treasurer: Mr. W. White.
Secretary: Mrs. C. R. Baker.

Committee:
Mr. and Mrs. S. Harper
Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Hutchin
Mr. and Mrs. Laing
Mrs. Sturgess
Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong
Mrs. E. Boreham
Mr. and Mrs. Tait
Mr. Henshaw
Mrs. A. W. Cook
Mrs. F. Grubb
Mrs. T. Boreham
Mrs. L. Heyward

Lutana Free Kindergarten has now reached the end of its second year, and the Committee has endeavoured to carry on the programme which was arranged during the previous year, as far as keeping interest and raising funds were concerned. The programme of activities for the children has, of course, been varied and progressive under the capable care of Miss Rowlands, Miss M. V. Trappes, Misses Burrows, Sole, Piesse, Roberts, Schaedel, Loney, and other students. While a nice lot of new equipment has greatly helped.

Owing to several of the old Committee moving to distant places we found it necessary to appoint several new members at our last Annual Meeting; and for the same reason it will again be necessary to nominate more this year, but we hope that all of those who are left and have so ably and willingly helped so far will still be heading our report next year. We deeply regret the loss of those who have left.

We started the year last July with 45 children on the register, and in November reached the high figure of 60. But after vacation, many little ones were admitted at the State School at 5 years old, and so our numbers decreased to 24. Since then it has gradually risen to 41 in May, and will probably increase when warmer weather comes.

The Electrode – Vol. IV. September, 1926 No. 5 – page 133

Although the revenue shows a falling off, many enjoyable functions have been held in the Hall. The Lutana branch of the Free Kindergarten continues its success, and is well supported.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. Feb, 1927 No. 7. – page 205

This picture shows inside the hall with the children of the kindergarten in a circle playing a game.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. February, 1927 No. 7. – page 204

WEE HUGHIE.

He’s gone to school, wee Hughie,
An’ him not four,
Sure I sae the fright was in him
When he left the door.

But he took a hand o’ Denny,
An’ a hand o’ Dan,
Wi’ Joe’s owld coat upon him -
Och, the poor wee man!

He cut the quarest figure,
More stout nor thin;
An’ trottin’ right an’ steady
Wi’ his toes turned in.

I watched him in the corner
O’ the big turf stack,
An’ the more his feet went forrit,
Still his head turned back.

He was lookin’ would I call him -
Och, my heart was woe -
Sure it’s lost I am without him,
But he be to go.

I followed to the turnin’;
When they passed it by,
God help him, he was cryin’,
An’ maybe, so was I.

-Elizabeth Shane.

The new term of the new year commenced at Lutana Free Kindergarten on February 3rd, and 35 little Hughies, with little susters as well, have taken “a hand o’ Denny an’ a hand o’ Dan,” and started on the gentle beginning of school with Miss Trappes at Kindergarten.

Central Committee, which is composed of representatives from each of the four Kindergartens, Central-street, Federal-street, Anglsea-street and Lutana, held its first meeting on Tuesday, February 8th. Each kindergarten reported larger numbers of children on the role for this year than at the same time last year, which speaks well for the appreciation of Kindergarten training, and the kindy help of the teachers.

Lutana Committee held its first meeting for this year on Wednesday, February 9th. The Social Committee reported that the Thursday night dancing classes have not been paying lately, so that on Mr. E. Borehams’s recommendation, it is proposed to hold a dance on alternate Wednesdays at the Moonah Community Hall, instead, as is in a more central position.

Consideration is being given to obtain a sandpile for the children to play in; and a spot which the Committee thought suitable was chosen near the small gate by Mrs. Grubbs’s store. A working bee is to be called together, and a suitable edging erected, then some generous friend is to be approached for two loads of white sand. After that the busy-bees will be of the next generation, and buckets and spades will be the order of the day. And the times when-

“I followed to the turnin’;
When they passed it by.
God help him, he was cryin’,
An’, maybe, so was I,”

are over; for the little ones run off so happily to Kindergarten that no mother need feel sore at heart at sparing her little one for a few hours, while his small feet are learning to walk strongly on the road of life; for the Kindergarten “road” is a pathway smoothed and bordered with sweet bright flowers.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. Feb, 1927 No. 7. – page 204

Book work was up to date. Miss Trappes’s criticisms of the student gave indication of earnest effort on the part of Miss Sale. This hall makes a really delightful kindergarten. It is bright, light, clean, fresh, and airy, with lovely views from its windows. Owing to its many public uses some forms of equipment are unsuitable, and no garden can be attempted. It is a pity the weeds cannot be cleared away, and one corner levelled for a childrens sand-pile.

The platform windows have been curtained, and the place used for a special babies’ room.

The room needs little decoration. A few flowers and pictures, and a gay wall dado of animals and children give a suggestion of childishness.

The control is very pleasing. Miss Trappes speaks in quiet, winning tones, which secure both ready co-operation, and a beautiful atmosphere. The children’s enjoyment in their work is in no way hampered because they are trained to control themselves, to speak and move quietly and courteously, and to listen when others are speaking. Miss Trappes plays well, and knows how to obtain control and to give direction and suggestion through the key-board. The children are a good type. They are clean and well-cared for, and usually wear slippers or sand shoes to safeguard themselves on the polished floor.

Each child brings its own lunch. The community spirit is fostered, however, as they all sit down together and enter into intimate conversation while buns, cake, bread and butter, biscuits, fruit, all meet a like fate.

The rhythm was very well done, some of the tiny ones attempting the simpler steps.

Morning talk showed good control, children being trained to wait till called upon, and to listen for questions.

There is a fine, happy, sunny, refined atmosphere here.

28/10/26.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. February, 1927 No. 7. – page 206

The Lutana Xmas Tree was on view in the Hall on Thursday, 30th December, and about 200 kiddies came along to the party, and were the recipients of toys of various sorts. Messrs. Grubb and Hack and Mr. Joe Bryant helped to organise and carry the function through, and the smiling faces of the youngsters gave them ample reward. Miss Joan Baker and Vera Hack acted as maids-in-waiting to Dear old Daddy Xmas, who found pleasure in saying a word to almost every child present. How the grown-ups wished they were again something less than 12 years of age so that they might have got a balloon or a toy pistol or a kewpie to play with.

Daddy Xmas arrived in the village by Bowen-road, riding in a richly decorated chariot, driven by a funny old gentleman in a paper hat, and Towser, in a green paper collar, sat up beside the driver and acted as escort. He (Daddy Xmas) was given a rousing reception by young and old alike, and well he deserved it, for all the lovely toys he had put on the Xmas tree in the Hall were bound to make him popular. After giving the gifts and distributing sweets, he was suddenly whisked away, and all we can say is that we hope he will come along to Lutana again next year, and give us another good time. Somehow we think it was the Co-operative Council who managed to get him to come this time, and we want to thank them for their kindness. Perhaps Mr. Hare had something to do with it, too, although we did not see him there.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. December, 1927 No. 12. – page 377

The first display of the gymnasium was given by the members on Thursday evening, 13 October, 1927, under the direction of the instructors. There was a fair attendance of parents, and, in addition, Mr. and Mrs. Meredith and several other officials of the Company and their wives were present. A. W. Hutchin was unavoidably absent, but we are pleased to record that he was ably represented by his dog “Towser,” who viewed the proceedings from a prominent position on the stage with languid interest. Messers. Bryant and Bishop had charge of the girls’ and boys’ class respectively, while Mr. Brocklehurst handled the combined team in the games section.

The girls and boys performed splendidly, thus in no small measure recompensing the instructors for the time expended in instruction.

In order to give the parents an idea of how the boxing instruction would be carried out, an exhibition bout was staged between two local lads. The children were greatly excited and enthusiastic when the lads warmed up to their work. Possibly some of the adults were, too. Who knows?

During the evening Mr. Meredith kindly donated two sets of boxing gloves to the gymnasium, and the boys showed their appreciation of the gift in no uncertain manner.

We are now pleased to inform Mr. Meredith that the boys are making use of the gloves, and are on the road to pugilistic success under the able direction of Mr. Dan. Ward.

In the last issue of “The Electorode” mention was made of the keen rivalry between the boys and girls, but their keenness on the night of the display was such that it makes it very difficult to choose between them, so we will call it a tie.

The Electrode – Vol. 4. December, 1927 No. 12. – page 376-377

The Electrode – Vol. 1. July, 1921 No. 8. – page 17-18

Now that the building programme is practically finished for the present, a committee of the tenants has been formed to promote a social feeling, and to carry out a scheme of improvements and mutual assistance. The first co-operative effort took place on Saturday, April 39, when over twenty mustered to cart filling.  As Messers. Hack and Bryan are both unfortunately sick, and Mr. Laird has only one hand, it was decided to help them.  Despite the powers of the clerk of the weather, the job was carried out much to the satisfaction of the helped and helpers. No better start could have been made than this; it was splendid. Many ideas are under consideration to improve the village, and to provide pleasure for the whole village.

Messers. Robertson, Harper, and Job are the latest to take up their abode at Lutana, and no doubt will soon be active workers in any stunts that are organised.

The postal authorities have consented to instal a public telephone and establish a letter clearance. This will be much appreciated. As time goes on it is expected that more public utilities will be provided.

A visit to the village will surprise those who have not been there recently. Most of the tenants have put in a lot of work on the gardens, both back and front, and the results are now in evidence. War has been declared on those pastoralists in Moonah who farm the public streets, and use them as grazing areas. Even the "stumps" are o be tackled in the street planting scheme, so that the new trees will not be destroyed.

Mr. Jack Crabtree is hon. secretary to the movement, and although he seemed a bit doubtful which end of the horse should go into the cart first, he is coming on. Through the kind offices of Mr. Cunningham and Mr. Charlie Reynolds, the metal necessary for paths, and the carts to lift it, have been made available.

The villagers are going to turn a party out every Saturday, so arranged that each man does a bit one Saturday out of three.

The Electrode – Vol. 1. August, 1920 No. 1. – page 3

The construction of homes by the Company at the village site between Derwent Park Road and Bowen Road has advanced so far that a name is required for the settlement.

An appropriate title might be found in some old native name previously in the district, or such name might imply connection with the Zinc industry or indicate the beautiful view or the communal service provided or the activity of the E.Z. Co-operative Council which is so closely concerned with all the activities relating generally to employees.

The Company has decided to give every employee an opportunity to nominate a name and to award to the nominator of the name chosen a prize of £3/3/-, with a second prize of £2/2/-, and a third prize of £1/1/- for the nominators of the two next preferred names.

A box will be provided at the time office for the reception of nominations.  Employees who wish to complete must fill in the form enclosed in this issue, sign it, and deposit in the box provided at the time office at the Risdon works.

Nominations may be made until August 21st, and the General Manager will consider all nominations, and his decision will be final.

In the event of more than one nomination of the chosen name being received the prizes will be divided.

The Electrode – Vol. 1. August, 1920 No. 1. – page 9

The company has purchased a large block of land between the works and Moonah, and is now erecting thereon a number of houses for employees. These houses, which have four, five and six rooms are fitted with modern conveniences, including sewerage, water, and electric light.  The company intends to erect about 180 homes on the site, of which 60 are completed or in course of erection.  For the present, these houses are being let to employees at the following rentals:---

4 rooms, 20/ per week.
5 rooms, 21/6 per week.
6 rooms, 24/ per week.

 Tenants are selected by a sub-committee of the Co-operative Council.