Enfield - The Enfield Institute opened 1879 and was demolished 1982. South Australia

THE ENFIELD INSTITUTE

The ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Enfield Institute was performed on the afternoon of Saturday, Mar 17. The Association has been in existence for some two years, and a few gentlemen have recently taken the matter in hand heartily, so that the necessary subscriptions have been received to enable a handsome building to be erected. Mr J Ragless very generously presented an allotment of ground 200 x 80 feet, Mr Magarey MP, gave a donation of £50, and other gentlemen subscribed amounts varying from £10 to £1.

 

Four or five feet of the walls are already up, the works having been for some weeks in progress, and it is estimated that three months will see the building completed. The structure will cost about £1,000, the contract price, less the supply of materials, being £545. Many of the articles required for building purposes have, however, been generously supplied gratis by residents in the vicinity. It is intended to hold one or two entertainments in the building as soon as it is finished, by the proceeds of which the Committee hope to wipe out the whole of the debt.

 

Mr Cumming is the architect who designed the building, and the contractors are Messrs McNicol & Angwin. The structure will be of the Italian style of architecture, with a front entrance opening upon a hall 20 feet in height and 40 [sic] x 30 feet. At the further end there is to be an arch over a platform, extending eight feet beyond the hall, with doors at the back leading to two small dressing rooms in the rear. A wing on each side at the back of the building will be used respectively for a reading room and library. There rooms will possess entrances from the outside as well as doors opening into the large hall. The walls of the building are being constructed of Teatree Gully freestone, with cement and stucco dressings. The front is to be surmounted by a cornice and enriched parapet, consisting a centre panel, on which the name of the institution will be inscribed.

Mr Ragless, President of the Committee, stated that he had written to the members for the district and to some of the Ministry, but he was sorry to see that they had been unable to attend.

 

Mr Williams, in presenting Miss C Ragless with a silver trowel, said— Miss Ragless : Will you permit me, on behalf of the Enfield Institute, to present you with [a] trowel: and while doing so, we do not wish to be thought that it is in any way equivalent to the zeal you have shown towards the worthy object that you have laboured for. But accept it as a small token of our regard for you and your respected parents … on behalf of the committee, to thank you for the very noble way you have worked for the above object.

The trowel was of silver, with an elegantly carved ivory handle, and was made at the establishment of Mr Wendt.

Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Ragless and Miss Ragless.

Mr Ragless called for contributions towards the building. In response … £12 15s was collected.

 

Three cheers were given for Mr Bundey, who had furnished the stone, and that gentleman briefly returned thanks, saying that the building would be an ornament to the township.

Mr Ragless then invited the members of Committee and other gentlemen who had taken part in the proceedings to dinner at his residence. [Ref: South Australian Register 19-5-1879]

 

OPENING

The new Institute building at Enfield was opened on Monday, November 3, by the Hon T King. At 5 o'clock pm the keys of the building were handed to him by the Architect (Mr Cumming), and he then declared the building formally opened. The following is a description of the building:—The plan of the building takes the form of the letter T, the front portion or stem of the T containing a hall 45 x 30 feet and 20 feet high. At the back is a platform projected 8 feet beyond the main building, and behind this are two small dressing rooms. The wing on either side of the back portion contains respectively a reading-room and a library 15 x 12 feet and 12 feet high.

 

The walls are of freestone with cement rusticated quoins. The front has a bold cornice surmounted by a balustrade and an ornamental centre panel with the name of the Institute. The ventilation is provided for by the windows, Simpson's wall ventilators, and Gray's ventilators in the roof. The hall is without any cornice, but the ceiling is relieved by three ventilating ornamental ceiling flowers, and the arch over the platform is enriched. The work has been carried out by Mr Richard Angwin, under the supervision of the architect, Mr James Cumming, of Currie Street, Adelaide.

 

After the hall had been thrown open to the public a tea was held, at which about 130 persons sat down. In the evening an entertainment was held in the hall, at which there was a large attendance.

 

Prior to the overture Mr J F Easom, the Secretary, read his progress report as follows:—"On May 15, 1877, a few neighbours met together to consider the advisability of forming a library. At a subsequent meeting held on May 22 the rules of the South Australian Institute were adopted: and Mr John Williams elected President. The first circulation of books took place on July 17, 1877, there being then thirty volumes in the library, mostly presented by the South Australian Institute. We then endeavoured to enlarge our library by trying to secure the books formerly belonging to the Gepps Gross Institute, which we found, had been transferred to the Munno Para West Institute, and that institution not being properly affiliated they were lost to the public.

 

On June 13, 1878, the first annual meeting was held, Mr John Ragless being elected President and Mr John Williams Vice-President. We then sought for land on which to erect a building, and offered £60 for half an acre, but the offer was not accepted. We then tendered £100 for about five-eights of an acre, but could not secure that. Mr Ragless then said he would give the piece of ground on which the building stands, and this offer was gladly accepted. [Ref: Adelaide Observer 8-11-1879]

 

The committee of the Enfield Institute met for the first time at their new room on Wednesday evening, December 3. It was resolved to open the reading room and library every Wednesday evening for the use of the members and on Saturday evenings free to the public.

The hall is well seated, and will hold between 300 and 400 people. It is hoped that now the institute is fairly started the residents will support the committee in making it a success. [Ref: Express & Telegraph 5-12-1879]

 

Enfield Institute – An entertainment will be given in this Institute this evening by the Black Diamond Minstrels. [Ref: Evening Journal 1-3-1880]

 

A concert was given in the Enfield Institute on Tuesday evening in aid of the local Glee Club. There was a large audience, and the programme was carried out successfully under the direction of Mr E P Gratton, organist of Chalmers Church. [Ref: South Australian Register 12-8-1897]

 

Institute used for skating

It was decided to open the rink on Monday evenings each week for beginners, in addition to Wednesday and Saturday, and to make a small charge to spectators who are non members. [Ref: Register 6-8-1904]

 

The annual meeting of subscribers was held on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance, and the President (Mr R W Ragless) occupied the chair. The annual report stated that, while there had been a slight decrease of income, the expenditure had considerably increased. The institute building was, however, in a much better condition than formerly, although much remained to be done in that connection, and the trustees intended to continue the work as funding permitted. The membership showed a decrease of three, no doubt owing to the opening of an institute in the adjoining district of Prospect.

The library contained 772 volumes. The circulation for the year was 1,717 against 1,582 in the previous year, an increase of 135. In the latter half of the year the committee had authorized expenditure to provide gymnasium equipment for the use of the younger members. This departure had not been an unqualified success. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £12. [Ref: Register 26-7-1906]

 

A successful fancy dress frolic for women only was held at the Enfield Institute by the Enfield Red Cross Circle, and the proceeds (about £5) will assist the candidature of Miss Enfield (Miss A Gray) in the queen competition.

To help the same candidate, a Paddy's market will be held in the Enfield Council's depot on the afternoon of March 29. There will be pony rides, a tulip garden, stalls and many other features. [Ref: News 24-3-1941]

 

Enfield Institute needs Help

The annual general meeting of subscribers held on February 17 was poorly attended. This shows a most deplorable lack of public interest in a most important public amenity. The committee strongly disagrees with this attitude.

Officers elected: President, Mr C Murphy, vice-presidents, Messrs Singleton, N Amundsen; public relations officer, Mr N Amundsen, secretary, Mrs H Sillitoe.

The main item discussed was how to attract more subscribers. The committee was most concerned at the lack of public interest taken in Institute affairs, the library in particular, and decided to seek the assistance of "Northern Weekly" to help create more public interest in the library.

Out of a population of some 80,000 people there are only 150 subscribers. There are about 7,000 books of fiction and general science in the library with an additional 1,000 in the children's section, also some 40 or 50 different magazines from which to choose. This the committee thinks is a really good library, of which they justly feel proud and which warrants much more support from the community.

The subscription rates of 7/- a quarter or 25/- a year and 2/- a quarter for children is most reasonable. Old books are continually being withdrawn and new ones added as the finances permit.

 

The committee comprises public-spirited citizens looking after the affairs of the Institute for the benefit of the community without even fee or reward—and without even thanks or recognition.

They look after the maintenance of the Institute, two library rooms and their furnishings, also the public conveniences, and buy new books without any outside financial help.

Their sole income is derived from hall hire and library subscriptions. From this income interest and repayment of debt on the hall must be made. The gross total revenue received is small and totally inadequate for immediate needs without thinking of improvements and additions, which are badly needed.

The committee not only look after the Institute's affairs but act as voluntary librarians and handy men. Most of them take their turn as librarians, and spend quite a lot of their time doing work that they cannot afford to pay tradesmen to do.

Whilst most councils and corporations throughout the State give financial aid either by a lump sum or yearly grant (or both) to institute committees, Enfield Council has not contributed a penny either for the building or the maintenance of the Enfield Institute and library room.

 

Last September the committee applied for a grant from the council for seating accommodation for the Institute, but it was refused. This showed a complete lack of sympathy by the council to a most essential public amenity. Meanwhile the seats are falling apart quicker than they can be patched up. Through the years the various committees have had to struggle along seriously handicapped through lack of finance.

 

The present committee think that this state of affairs should end. They need the help of the Enfield Council and public in general. Should this help not come it will be only a matter of time before repairs to the Institute and furnishings will be beyond the committee's finances. They now appeal through the "Northern Weekly" to the council and public for their help.

For intending new subscribers' information, the library is open from 3 pm to 4 pm Tuesdays and Fridays, and from 7.30 pm to 9 pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. [Ref: Northern Suburbs Weekly 6-3-1958]

 

ENFIELD INSTITUTE LIBRARY TO OPEN SATURDAYS

Through the generous offer of Mr Goodman to act as librarian Enfield, the library is now open from 10.30 am till noon each Saturday.

This extra service to the public is in keeping with the committee's policy for progress.

The library will now be open every day of the week except Sunday. The hours are Monday & Friday, 3 pm to 4.30 pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7.30 pm to 9 pm, Saturday, 10.30 am to 12 Noon.

As subscriptions increase these hours will be extended.

The committee's aim is to make Enfield Library second only to Adelaide library. With the full support and cooperation of the public this can be achieved.

The committee also has the welfare of the young people of the district at heart. Each year they give two reading scholarships to each school in the district.

 

The hall is let at a nominal rental to youth clubs. Each Monday night a girls’ gymnasium class is held; Tuesday, youth baseball classes: Wednesday, youth club: Thursday, young people's badminton: and on alternate Fridays, the Boy Scouts meet.

One or two afternoons a week the CWA use the hall, at a low fee.

In addition, public conveniences are provided and maintained by the Institute Committee.

This is certainly a community committee looking after the community's affairs and well deserving of the support and sympathy not only of all members of the public but councillors of the district as well. [Ref: Northern Suburbs Weekly 17-4-1958]

 

From 1899 the institute was used as a council chamber. In January 1905 an agreement was made between the Council and the Institute Committee for the Council to purchase the Institute for £25. Council was required to spend £90 on improvements to the building and land within six months, and to grant the trustees of the institute perpetual lease at peppercorn rental, of the library rooms and free use of the main hall and other room on Wednesday and other times not required by Council.

On 2 March the negotiations ceased. And Council was offered sole use of the north side room for an office and the main hall for Council purposes for £7.10.0 per annum.

In December 1926 the annual rent was raised to £26 and councillors decided to seek their own premises.

 

Following the departure of Council, the institute continued as a library, the main hall being used for dancing, wedding receptions etc. In 1981 the land and building was sold to private enterprise by the Institute Association for about £75,000, and it was demolished in 1982.

 

Following demolition, the owner made available a small building to enable the library to continue. [Ref: Enfield and The Northern Villages by H John Lewis.]

 

 

 

Done