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 Mercury – Thursday 17 January 1924. – Page 10

Set right in the heart of Lutana, the village hall is something of which Lutana villagers, can be justly proud. It is surrounded by fine grounds, where the younger members of the village can enjoy themselves. The interior of the hall is compact, yet allows a maximum of floor space, and a substantial stage at one end of the building gives to the inside a completeness of purpose-that of providing varied recreation.

The official opening of the hall took place last night. Major A. W. Hutchin, chairman of the village committee, stated that he had the honour and privilege of voicing the feelings of the people at Lutana on this occasion. It gave them pleasure to find that people from such a wide area had been sufficiently interested to come along. It was some two years ago, he said, since they had asked Mr Gepp to come and plant the first tree.  During the two years the village had progressed very considerably; more homes had been built by the company and rented to the colleagues at the works, and in the village they had the first community institution. They had been accused of living a long way out of town, and a hall like this was really a necessity to the communal life. The village people had watched this hall grow, and in its finished state regarded it with unmeasured pride. Incidentally, in regard to the educational aspect of the community life, he mentioned that the committee, who had been discussing ways and means in connection with the conduct of the hall, had been in touch with the education authorities with regard to having a kindergarten, and this had now been concluded. On Monday morning the kindergarten teacher and the furniture would be at the hall. With regard to the conduct of the kindergarten, the teacher would need the sympathetic co-operation of the parents themselves. They must assist the teacher if they were going to make the kindergarten a success. (Hear, hear.) The second community institution was well on the way. The builders had promised by March 1 the completion of the co-operative store and in that store they would endeavour to provide the necessaries of life. When the store commenced active operations he wanted to say, let them all get behind it and support it. He was sure they would all agree that the building was not only a useful but a beautiful building, both the exterior and interior, and he wanted to convoy to the architects and builders hearty congratulations on the result achieved, as they had entered into the spirit of the building, and had done everything they could to forward the aims the villagers had in view. Those who had lived in these parts would recollect that 10 years ago all the country-side was farm land. Since that time a wonderful transformation had taken place. He believed that in duecourse this locality would be the centre of a big zinc working community. Some would be living in the village, some would be building round the village, and the hall had been put there by the company for them. It was not the private property of the people in the village. It was in no small measure due to the personality and ability of the general manager that the transformation had taken place. He, the speaker, did not know the full story, but he knew sufficient to satisfy him that had there been no Mr. Gepp there would have been no zinc industry, or it would not have been anything like they knew it to-day. It was also, he hoped, due to them who had worked alongside Mr. Gepp, to feel that they also had played a useful part in the development of this enterprise. He then presented Mr. Gepp with a framed photograph of the hall, and, on behalf of the Risdon Band, two photographs of the band.

Mr. Quinn, chairman of the Co-operative Council, supported the remarks of Major Hutchin.

Mr. Gepp, in reply, opened his remarks by relating an experience when he was enabled to listen to the wireless station at Auckland speaking to a receiver a great distance away. He stated it occurred to him that, provided Australia, with all its wonderful natural advantages, took care of the health of the population and the wonderful raw material, then probably even the wireless wonders to which he had been listening would be very small compared with what would be achieved in the future. It was only the people who had lived in hard and difficult countries who had come out on top. They must realise that without hard work they were sure to lose their strength, grit, and ability. It was a nice thought for them to have put up the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes. Without the help of their friends from the U.S.A. they could not have built the zinc works. He wanted to say how much he appreciated the kind things they had said. The greatest thing he thought they had done here was not to make zinc, but they were illustrating in a very definite way to Australia that they could build a big industry and yet be friends. The hall was an indication of what co-operation could do, and he hoped it would be the beginning of much greater results. He wished to congratulate the architects and builders for the fine job they had made. He thought the village was destined to be the centre of a very large area, for the people interested in the new industry would congregate, and as the children grew up in such a magnificent area they must appreciate the opportunities they had compared with many children in other parts of the world. He wished to thank the band for their kindly thought. On behalf of the company and staff he had the greatest pleasure in declaring the hall open, and wished them God-speed in all the work that would be done there.

Professor Sir David Orme Masson, of the Melbourne University, in a short speech, stated that many of his pupils had made successes of their lives, but there were none to whom he could point who had done as Mr. Gepp. He was gratified to find the two essentials of good organisation and sound co-operation in regard, to the building of the magnificent zinc industry.

An enjoyable musical programme was rendered by the orchestra, Zinc WorksBand, and Messrs. Martin and Cook.

A meeting to form this Association to represent residents of these districts in co-operation with the local municipality.

All residents urged to join.

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 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. 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. 

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

The Co-operative Council has given every assistance in the development of the village settlement, and it is interesting to note the progress that has been made during the year.

The Council allots the houses and controls the tenancy. Twenty homes are now occupied by shift-men. 

The Electrode – Vol. 1. October, 1920 No. 2. – page 19

A large number of entries have been received, and they included some interesting combinations of initial letters representing the co-operative activities and the Company's name. It was not intended that each each person should be limited to one suggestion, and any number may be sent in. The competition is being kept open until October 31st.

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. 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. 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. February, 1921 No. 12. – page 12

We omitted to mention Mr. . Prescott, Mr. W. C. White and Mr. F. Tolland having come to reside in the village. A further batch of applications is now under consideration. The building programme is fast approaching conclusion, and people who want houses had better make an application soon. The Warden of Glenorchy has been asked to provide for collection of household refuse, but he has replied that rubbish is not gathered up in the municipality, and they cannot see their way clear to start with our village. The chances are that the Company will put something in the way of an incinerator if the residents will give a hand to man it.

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. 4. December, 1927 No. 12. – page 377

It is worthy of note that, in addition to a bus service and good sanitary conditions, Lutana has now a gas service, which should be generally appreciated by the villagers.

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.