Heritage - Rail - News
Oh Dear, I got it wrong. (Again, or as usual)
20th September 2007
Wrong? The title of the booklet I spoke of. I see this morning that it is in fact, 'Your Hut Your Home'. That'll teach me not to be lazy and guess. Anyway, I've taken some pictures for you and offer them herewith. Before embarking however, although he said he wanted no thanks, I'd like to say 'thanks' anyway to Mark Denne of the Pleasant Point Railway society for firstly offering the booklets and secondly copying the originals and forwarding them. It is this sort of cooperation between societies that makes being a member even more rewarding. Now for the pictures...................
On the left, the earlier booklet, thought to be from the early 1950s. The two window hut closely resembles the two huts we have and are probably from the same plan. The second on the right is quite different as you see and the date is 1960. The small print reads; Issued by General Managers Office. New Zealand Railways. Wellington. Interestingly, we note the electricity supply. How many had the time to sit outside and read I wonder?
Another look at the hut life, on page one. While not easy to read, the text is the best I can get it consistent with not making the file size too big.
Page two and we begin to get the message the department is trying to convey.
Pages 5 & 6 and the small text is almost too difficult to manage, but my idea was to show the topics covered.
Shown mainly for the picture, but we see that cooking has become the primary topic.
Finally, we see a very well appointed table, a corner of a neatly made bed, curtains and the writing of a letter home, or to the girlfriend. (Or significant 'other'.) I would like to hope the clock is positioned nearer the head of the bed, or it would be a disaster trying to kill the alarm in the morning.
I too lived in a hut while serving my apprenticeship and it was not either as, commodious or well built as are these! I will be interested to see what the interior of our hut finishes up like, having read these booklets. Incidentally, the text is the same in both copies, but this 1960 one shown here has the pictures. The way of life suggested in these pages could well be passed on to many in todays world I believe. Cheers, 'K'.