Description

Admin History:

Vivian James Chalwin was born in Surrey. After the war he was manager of Brush Coachworks Ltd and later managing director of J & H McLaren & Petters Ltd. He joined Tarran Industries as Mr Alan Good's (Chairman of McLaren's) representative in Sept 1945 and held the position of production director and later a board member. During his time 20,000 houses were constructed by Tarran. He moved with his family to Australia in 1951.

Mr Chalwin went on to address several gathering in America on the prefab technique and was made a member of the American Concrete Institute recognised for his services and inventions (a membership he held until his death in 1980.) there was a 16mm film too (since deteriorated beyond restoring) and the photos and film were used when he lectured in the US.

Mr Chalwin left a diary which gave the following details relating to the building of Newland House:

Steam curing passed by Professor Webster on the 12th March 1946

April 1st 1946 carried out trial run on steam curing

Follands and Hanible moulds were used

Mr. Kershaw (CSA) carried out the vapour curing

23rd & 24th May 1946 appears they had a practice run

Newland House was commenced at 8 am. on the 28th May 1946. Rain interrupted construction of the roof at 8pm.

Testing took place on the 29th and 30th May 1946

Mr Bryers (CSA) carried out the steam curing

30th May Messrs Beadle, Sanderson & Cumbers (CSA) inspected Newland House

8th August notified that Newland House passed by Bert Combers(?)

Description:

Photographs of various sizes relating to Tarran Industries and the construction of Newland House which was situated on the corner of Prospect Street and Spencer Street. Some photographs have individual captions explaining what is shown in the picture. Also includes an article relating to Vivian James Chalwin, Industrialist and Sportsman and a drawing of a cross section of a concrete panel.