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. 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.

Over a weekend in June 2000 a group of volunteers planted over 450 plants to create a natural fence. This included climbing plants on the wire fence, bushes of many sizes and colours, and a few large trees.

Before this weekend the existing cyclone wire 1.8 metre fence was moved to the boundry line and continued between the two neighbouring properties to replace the old wooden fences. This fence will provide a support structure for plants to grow on.

After the strong winds of the last few days one of the Jacarandas (Jacaranda mimosifolia) fell over breaking the main root.

Planted in June 2000 the tree has not grown very well – at the time of falling over it was only a bit over 1 metre high with very little root system and only the one main branch. The main issue seems to be the wind but it has always been a lot smaller than the other one growing next to it.

It has been repotted in the hope of keeping it alive and perhaps planting it in a more sheltered spot.

Strong winds today broke off branches from trees around the garden.  The two main loses were large branches on one of the older gum trees and on one of the new gum trees.

Weather reports that the storm may have had hurricane-force gusts of wind. The most powerful gust was on Hobart’s eastern shore – 176 kilometres per hour at around 4:00am.

Due to issues with the powerline into the Hall being wrecked by the large blackwood tree in the south corner, Aurora removed the powerline and informed that they couldn’t provide power to the Hall until the tree was removed. The powerline was only hanging from a bit of casing and I was informed that it was lucky it didn’t set the tree on fire or connected with the fence and making the whole fence live.

With consultation from a few experts it was decided that the only option was to remove the tree. This was done today and power has now been restored. It was sad to see the tree removed but interestingly it now provides better views of the south end of the Hall, including the front porch.

The voluteer gardener of 30 years informed me that when the tree was first donated to the school in the 1970s she was told it was a small to medium sized bush and this is why she planted it on the fence line under the powerlines.

A great tree but unfortunately in the wrong spot.

The following plants were planted August 2006:
Acmena Smithii – Lilly Pilly x 2
Banksia Ericifolia – Heath Banksia
Callistemon – King’s Park Special
Chamelaucium – Meringur Mist
Eccremocarpus Saber – Chilean Glory Vine
Eriostemon Myoporoides – Long Leaf
Eucalyptus Lehmannii – Bushy Yate
Garrya Elliptica – Catkin Shrub
Grevillea – Big Red
Hardenbergia – Happy Wanderer
Hymenosporum – Native Frangipani
Koelreuteria Paniculata – Golden Rain Tree
Lilac – Syringa Vulgaris ‘Mme Lemoine’
Lilac – Syringa Vulgaris ‘Mrs Edward Harding’
Myrtus Communis – Common Myrtle
Pandorea Jasminoides – Bower of Beauty
Prostanthera Ovalifolia – Common Mint-Bush
Protea – Red Rocket – Reflexum Red
Trachelospermum Jasminoides – Chinese Star Jasmine

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. December, 1920 No. 3. – page 19

If you want to see how kitchen gardening should be done, have a look at the cottages at Lutana. They reflect great credit on the occupants, and must show a profit as well.

By the way, the Company has advised the Housing Trustees that they do not intend to complete more than 42 houses for the present. Twenty three are now occupied, and eight more will be completed by the time this appears. A further eleven will be ready before the end of February.

As the notice on the works pointed out, these places are to let at 25/ and 22/6 for five or four-roomed places respectively, and the Housing Trustees are now receiving applications from prospective tenants.

The Electrode – Vol. 1. October, 1920 No. 2. – page 16

Have you been to the village or have you noticed from the train the great progress that has taken place recently in the construction go the villas or the other side of the hill.

Walking over from the works and looking down from the rise on this hive of industry, one sees many snug residences of various designs set in a colour scheme that is pleasing to the eye.

Mr. Hurburgh and his full team have devoted themselves whole heartedly to the task of providing comfortable homes as rapidly as possible.

The roads are in good condition, fences have been built, and footpaths are being formed.

It is interesting to see how many bony children greet the passers-by with happy smiles or a cherry hullo.

Twenty of the homes have residents who are comfortably settled, and while awaiting the advent of their neighbours are devoting their time and attention to improvements.

Too much praise connote be given to the gardeners, who have been busy with the spaces about their homes which they have laid out in attractive gardens, lawns, and plots, and in some cases the flowers are already nodding their heads.

Vegetables have been planted, including onions, cabbages, beans, etc. thereby ensuring fresh table supplies at a minimum cost, and providing healthy exercise.

The beauty of the entrances has been enhanced by pot plants and garden seats for a pleasant smoke or yarn.

Creepers have appeared on trellis work and have commenced their upward climb.

Regarding the interior of the homes, the color has been charmingly done, and handy cupboards of various sizes have been built in, and should be a boom to housewives who never seem to have enough shelves or cabinets. These should reduce the amount of housework, as heavy cupboards will not have to be moved on cleaning up days. A noticeable feature is the fact that the baths have been made from our own rolled zinc sheets.

The views from the verandahs reveal some of Tasmania's finest scenery, including the Derwent Valley beyond Prince of Wales' Bay and the lofty Wellington standing as a sentinel over Hobart. The fruit trees are coming on, and it does not require a great deal of imagination to picture this most beautiful panorama of green pastures dotted with splashes of colour, orchards, trees and shrubs, when trees are in blossom or clothed with glorious autumn tints.

The Electrode – Vol. 1. January, 1921 No. 4. – page 14

New tenants in the village during the past month include E. F. Boreham, W. F. Cook, A. L. Laird, A. McKercher and R. Brown.

The present patch of 42 houses will soon be completed and tenanted.

Mrs. Kile, who occupies a house in Bowen Road, has been getting magnificent results from her kitchen garden. The family have had vegetables enough and to spare for sometime, whilst the tomatoes turned out good money spinners at 1/ per lb. It is no uncommon thing to see the passer-by stop for a second look at Mrs. Kile's fine garden. We compliment this lady and commend her example to others.

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

Lutana has been nick-named the Aquarium by some of the wits on account of the recent rains having induced some mud in the locality. It is the Derwent Park Flat which should properly be given the title, for there is no mistake that an inch of rain make you put on your web feet.

Thanks goodness Hobart doesn't get much rain, and although we know how good rain is for the farmer, it is difficult for residents of the "Aquarium," who don't own farms, and who are not good waders, to sympathise with the "with the backbone of the country."

Went for a walk along the Derwent Park Road the other night---a dark night too---after the rain. Was just like a frog jumping from hummock to hummock trying to avoid the pools. It was a dark night, I said as the Glenorchy Municipality only supplies one light every 400 yards or so, well, it was a very dark night on Derwent Park Road. Of course, the inevitable happened. Something I thought was a hummock turned out to be a pool. The washing bill went up that week and my chances of reaching Heaven went down. Still Hobart is a wonderful place. Full of possibilities.  Also full of impossibilities, Derwent Park Road is one. The Glenorchy Council is---perhaps I better not.

But to get back to Lutana---the villagers are making things move. The plough has been put into the orchard and the pruning has commenced. Every tenant who wanted a bit of ground and a dozen trees has been given same, and later on they will reap the harvest of the toil they put into them.

"Tommy" Crabtree, not Jack, as reported last issue, imported six dozen trees into the village, and they have all been planted out. We think he has designs on some more, and some day Lutana will look a lot better than it does now if Stumpy's heifers don't misbehave too much. A water color depicting the up river view from the village, the work of a local aspirant to art, was raffled to find the money to finance the tree purchase.

Mr. Gepp planted the first tree---a horse chestnut---after a few remarks by Mr. Hack, who made his first public appearance after his recent illness, looking fitter than we have seen him for a long time.

It is rather remarkable how many people wander out Lutana way on Sunday afternoons to have a look round. Mr. Geo. Cooper and Mr. Frank Leahy were among last Sunday's lot. This public interest is an incentive to well kept gardens, and it also discourages wood chopping on the Sabbath. Usually at least half a dozen car loads of people run round the place each week, and we are vain enough to think that they are pleased with what they see.

The residents will be glad when they are able to have a hall for social purposes, and there is no doubt it would be a boom. It could be used recreation during week nights. Already there is a request for Sunday School facilities to save the kiddies a long walk on Sunday afternoon.

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

The first display quarterly judging was carried out by the judges (Messsrs. Lipscombe and Creswell) on the 4th of October, 1927, and the improvement since the commencement of the competition was apparent in every case. Mr. J. Adams received top marks, closely followed by Messrs. Powell, Phillips, Langridge, and Scott, with most of the others up round the 80 mark. It should be clearly understood that the first judging covered improvement and upkeep only. The growth, maturity, and condition of plants will be taken into consideration by the judges at the end of the year.

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

(To the Editor of "The Electrode.")

Sir,---Recently I had a stroll round the little village of Lutana, and I was very pleased to see the interest taken in their gardens by many of the residents. And in this connection I would like to make a suggestion. At Macquarie Plains there is an annual competition among the farm hands and other workers for the best flower and vegetable gardens, and prizes are awarded according to merit. Could bit a similar competition be inaugurated among E.Z. employees? Of course, they would not have the advantage that the Macquarie Plain residents enjoy ---unlimited water for irrigation---but I am satisfied, from what I have seen, that they are capable of making a most creditable show. The most appropriate time for judging the gardens would be in December. So, if this idea were adopted, plenty of notice could be given. I commend this suggestion to the Co-op. Council ---I am. etc.

WELL WISHER 

The Electrode – Vol. 2. Xmas, 1921 No. 1. – page 8-9

Now that the shift service of trains is running, Lutana does not seem so cut off the from the shops and shows of the city as it used to. Perhaps before long, if development around Prince of Wales' Bay goes on as it promises to, even more trains will be justified. Apart from its distance from the tram, Lutana is a very fine residential site, and for zincworkers, proximity to the works is probably of as much, if not more, importance than being close to the tram. The zincworker goes to the works every day.  He only wants to go to town about once a week.

One of the chief advantages we possess there is being in an elevated position, free from the dust and unpalatable drains which characterise the Moonah and Derwent Park flats, and this must help our general health.

Everybody, even the cricketers, would be glad to see some rain. There had been a lot of work put into the gardens in the village and the crops would look even more prosperous with a couple of days steady rain to help them.

Two members of the staff, in the persons of Messrs. Chesterman and Bruce, have recently joined us, and Messrs. Allen and Robinson have cut out. We were very sorry to lose friend Allen. He was a good citizen. We understand he has gone farming down at Richmond.

The horse chestnuts are looking well, but a bucket of water a couple of times a week would make them look better. We have noticed quite a number of tree guards waiting for trees, which will be available in March. Tom Crabtree tells us that he has booked 20 trees at 1/, and they will be the same size as those already planted. He says the nurseryman is sorry now he sold them for 1/, as he could now get 2/6 each for them. I suppose he thought there was going to be a slump in the tree market.

The youngsters weren't long in wearing the iron rings of the swings through.  Nobody objects, however, as it is a sign of their popularity, and as long as the youngsters want to use them, the fathers won't mind seeing that they are fit for use.

The Electrode – Vol. 1. April, 1921 No. 6. – page 9

The village is just about completed as we go to press. Fourty-two houses are the first instalment, and they are bespoken. The construction gang will shortly be seen no more at Lutana, until some day in the future---not too far distant, we hope---the work is again taken up.

In the first "Electrode" a competition was opened for a name for the place, but of all those received none were considered quite suitable for use, despite the ingenuity of their constuction. It has now been decided to call the settlement "Lutana," after the name adopted by the Railway Department. It is a pretty name and appropriate. The streets will be call after Tasman, Captain Cook, and Furneaux---all early Tasmanian explorers.

Just at present money is not available for tree planting, grass plots, hedgerows, etc., for the village, but it is hoped that as soon as the builders leave the villagers will begin to consider ways and means for decorating the place, without going to any expense.

The Electrode – Vol. 1. July, 1921 No. 8. – page 3

At last the rain! Fine thing for the country, and all that. Not too pleasant for the Moonal ladies, though. There is a movement on foot to get the Warden of Glenorchy to live in Lutana with idea of convincing him either that Derwent Park Road should be rendered walkable or a motor launch service should be established between Lutana and the tram. Its bad enough for the women and kiddies of Moonah to have to slush about ankle deep in the mud as soon as there is a drop of rain, but it is a crying shame the that the trotters should have to endure it when taking their morning stroll.

Jo Johns is now living in the village, an has recently caught the path making and gardening bug. He won't get much time on the old trombone for a bit. Perhaps the neighbours will be pleased. Saw one of them the other day leaning over the fence urging Jo to go on with the good work. Cunning fellow!