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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 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.