Cairn Creek SEC Hut, Alpine Huts 1994 sheet 09 2
Victorian Alpine Huts survey, for Parks Victoria April, May 1994.
This hut is located on Grazing Block 25 which was held by HB Duane around 1900 followed by FA & PH Howman of Eskdale in the 1920s who were joined by JK Kelly{ 1092/121}. L Prichard of Mitta Mitta had it in the 1930s when the lease boundaries were disputed with adjoining leaseholder, Maddison. Maddison & Neilson took the block in 1934-5 but Prichard & Hodgkin won it back in the following year. Hodgkin & Yea of Eskdale took it in the early 1940s but by then the Soil Conservation Board was undertaking its investigation into erosion in the alps. In 1946 the Bogong High Plains advisory Committee recommended that all leases be cancelled in the area and reissued with new conditions limiting stock numbers. The limit on this block was suggested at 350 cattle or horses (no sheep allowed) and the tenure was strictly 25 November to 30 April{ ibid. departmental note 9.10.46}. The area was also reduced from 8700 acres to 8100, along with a general redrawing of grazing block boundaries. The Soil Conservation Authority requested Graeme Butler 24,25 be terminated at the end of 1956-7, allowing a years grace if fencing was carried out on the Eskdale Spur to exclude the Kiewa Scheme catchment. Grazing Block 25 was cancelled October 1957. This hut was reputedly built by the SEC in the 1950s to facilitate hydronic measurements for the Big River diversion{ Boadle (1983): 10}. A first aid kit and `Accident Report Ledger' held in the hut date from 1954, with reports such as chainman, Leslie Hay (/d 20201), who worked in the Bogong section complaining of a stomach upset in January 1955; he was back on the job the next day. The hut was not shown on the 1945 SEC `Kiewa Scheme' plan{ copy held}. The hut was described in 1983 as clad with galvanised iron, in good condition but infrequently used and not important for refuge. It was to be maintained by the National Parks Service but was not to be replaced{ NPS (1983): 45}. It was no longer used by the SEC. Set on a river flat in snow and mountain gum, some 10m from the Big River, the hut (3.25x2.75m) frame was sawn hardwood, the cladding c.g.i. and the floor timber. A double bunk, a table and simple chairs were provided{ Boadle (1983): 10}. Access was by foot, with fording of the Big River required to reach the hut. Nearly ten years later (1992) this hut was described thus: INTERIOR A sink and bench were at the opposite end (north) to the door, with a bunk bed at the south-east corner. Floor- short lengths of apprx. 110mm T&G softwood, painted Walls- unlined Ceiling-unlined, Malthoid over roof battens. EXTERIOR Door- vertical T&G boarded, L&B Windows- two 4-pane timber framed Walls & Gabled Roof- silver painted cgi. Floor- hardwood bearers and stumps, floor 450-600mm above ground, joists short lengths
Cairn Creek SEC Hut, Alpine Huts 1994 sheet 09 2
Victorian Alpine Huts survey, for Parks Victoria April, May 1994.
This hut is located on Grazing Block 25 which was held by HB Duane around 1900 followed by FA & PH Howman of Eskdale in the 1920s who were joined by JK Kelly{ 1092/121}. L Prichard of Mitta Mitta had it in the 1930s when the lease boundaries were disputed with adjoining leaseholder, Maddison. Maddison & Neilson took the block in 1934-5 but Prichard & Hodgkin won it back in the following year. Hodgkin & Yea of Eskdale took it in the early 1940s but by then the Soil Conservation Board was undertaking its investigation into erosion in the alps. In 1946 the Bogong High Plains advisory Committee recommended that all leases be cancelled in the area and reissued with new conditions limiting stock numbers. The limit on this block was suggested at 350 cattle or horses (no sheep allowed) and the tenure was strictly 25 November to 30 April{ ibid. departmental note 9.10.46}. The area was also reduced from 8700 acres to 8100, along with a general redrawing of grazing block boundaries. The Soil Conservation Authority requested Graeme Butler 24,25 be terminated at the end of 1956-7, allowing a years grace if fencing was carried out on the Eskdale Spur to exclude the Kiewa Scheme catchment. Grazing Block 25 was cancelled October 1957. This hut was reputedly built by the SEC in the 1950s to facilitate hydronic measurements for the Big River diversion{ Boadle (1983): 10}. A first aid kit and `Accident Report Ledger' held in the hut date from 1954, with reports such as chainman, Leslie Hay (/d 20201), who worked in the Bogong section complaining of a stomach upset in January 1955; he was back on the job the next day. The hut was not shown on the 1945 SEC `Kiewa Scheme' plan{ copy held}. The hut was described in 1983 as clad with galvanised iron, in good condition but infrequently used and not important for refuge. It was to be maintained by the National Parks Service but was not to be replaced{ NPS (1983): 45}. It was no longer used by the SEC. Set on a river flat in snow and mountain gum, some 10m from the Big River, the hut (3.25x2.75m) frame was sawn hardwood, the cladding c.g.i. and the floor timber. A double bunk, a table and simple chairs were provided{ Boadle (1983): 10}. Access was by foot, with fording of the Big River required to reach the hut. Nearly ten years later (1992) this hut was described thus: INTERIOR A sink and bench were at the opposite end (north) to the door, with a bunk bed at the south-east corner. Floor- short lengths of apprx. 110mm T&G softwood, painted Walls- unlined Ceiling-unlined, Malthoid over roof battens. EXTERIOR Door- vertical T&G boarded, L&B Windows- two 4-pane timber framed Walls & Gabled Roof- silver painted cgi. Floor- hardwood bearers and stumps, floor 450-600mm above ground, joists short lengths