1.3.6 Mt Field Management Pre 1916

Russell Falls and the Mt. Field plateau were experiencing informal "management" and intrusion well before the Park was established in 1915, functioning as a cooperative operation between private enterprise and government departments.

The few extant records indicate that two huts had been constructed by 1911 and several "tourist tracks "had been cut by Bill Belcher for the P.W.D. prior to the park becoming formally established in 1916. As mentioned, the area was at this time managed between the Government departrnents of Fisheries, Public Works, and the privately run Tasmanian Tourist Association, established in 1893 to promote tourism in Tasmania and interstate (The absence of many records from these old departments make understanding of their roles difficult. In the case of the Fisheries Commission, for example, only one letter-book survives in State Archives).

1.3.5.1 First Huts

Huts: Two huts were constructed at the lakes prior to the formal establishment of the Park.

Hut No.1, Lake Webster: The first hut was built at Lake Webster and probably followed the release of trout there in 1898. This structure was of galvanised iron, as in 79'1.8, the new National Park Board decided to remove its galvanised iron walls and replace them with slabs, with the iron used to roof a new hut at Lake Fenton (Minutes, 9/4/7978. TSA).

In 1907 a party from the Tasmanian Tourist Association visited the plateau and described a "tourist hut" newly built at Lake Webster, located in "the north-east corner of the lake where the Broad River flows out of the lake .........The hut itself consists of three rooms, two each with eight bunks, the third being used as a kitchen".

Hut No.2, Lake Fenton: In 1911 William Belcher (later Mt Field ranger), wrote to the Secretary for Public Works giving an estimate for a second hut to be built at Lake Fenton.

'”Woodleigh”, Russell 2 / 1 / 1917

Hut at Lake Fenton. I tender for 24 pounds"

The timber has to be carried for upwards of a mile, upon a man’s back. Particulars. Dimensions 20 by 15 ft. walls 6ft 6 inches high, to be made of split slabs to be jointed broke (sic), inside and out.

Pitched roof 9 ft high with 2ft 6 inch palings or 5 ft.

One partition. One slab door on hinges.

Two small windows. One chimney 3ft 6 in. opening set in mortar.

One table 3 slab stools.

Fell all timber within reach of the hut and clear half chain around

A month later, Wertheimer, (Sec. of the TTA) complained to Counsel' (Sec' for Lands) over the siting of the new hut, claiming-its location unsuitable and wishing to be consulted in the future (PWD 24, TSA)'

Tracks: Extant records for the PWD indicate they were responsible in 1910 for a series of tracks giving access to Russell Falls and Mt. Field, the latter by way of Ellendale. Each track was given a specific letter, and the Department coordinated with the relevant municipality responsible i.e. New Norfolk or Hamilton ‘All files are brief and finished when the new Board organised its own support systems, dispensing with the PWD. c.1920'

Tracks Listed in PWD Records:

Track ‘E' - Ellendale to Lake Fenton c' 1917.

Track 'H’ - Hut, Lake Fenton Track and Lady Barron Track. C. 1910-11.

Round Trip Possible: In Sept 1910, Bill Belcher reported that he had completed a series of tracks which would allow "an all round trip from Ellendale over Mount Field to the Russell Falls". The track was cut from the rest house at Russell Falls to Lake Fenton, allowing a descent from the lake in about two hours (Mercury 15/9/1910 P4 C6).The track to Mt Field and that to Lady Barron Falls ''will provide additional attractions for tourist and other visitors at the Falls"'

Other tracks in the same series cover the early period of the Board (see later ??? ).

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