The elegant Glen Innes School of Arts 1887: designed by architects Grover, Wright & Hutchison. New South Wales Australia
Glen Innes School of Arts
On Thursday last an inaugural public meeting of subscribers and all interested was held in the new building, and was well attended. Mr Christopher Legh J P, chairman of the building committee, presided and stated that the principal business of the meeting was the enrolment of members, receiving the building committee’s report, adoption of rules, and the election of officers to the end of the current year.
Mr G Stevenson brought up the report of a special committee, which had made the necessary provision for the holding of that meeting and revising the old rules with the view of their adoption until the 31st December next.
The secretary of the building committee brought up the report and balance sheet of that body which was unanimously adopted. The report is as follows: — About 16 months ago a movement was set on foot, having for its object the establishment of a School of Arts in our town. A public meeting was convened by Mr C Legh and others, which was well attended, and it was resolved to canvass the district for contributions. Messrs Legh and Hutchison were appointed canvassers, and Messrs. Wrigley and Kenwood treasurer and secretary respectively for the fund. The manner in which the. public responded to the call was most gratifying, and in a very few weeks a sum of over £100 had been collected. Another general meeting was then called to report progress, and the secretary was instructed to apply to the Government for the usual £ for £ grant upon the amount at the time actually subscribed. It was further decided to lose no time in making arrangements for the erection of a building upon the site in Grey Street which had been given by the Government for this purpose, and Messrs Grover, Wright, and Hutchison kindly offered to prepare and submit plans. At a meeting held in the Council Chambers a few weeks later, the plans were presented for the consideration of subscribers, and after considerable discussion, the final selection was postponed for a week. The secretary was able to intimate at this meeting that a sum of £123 7s. had been paid into the bank by the treasury, in response to the application made for the grant before referred to. Reference to the financial statement will explain what was done with the monies received pending the construction of the building.
At the next general meeting a plan prepared by Mr Hutchison, as amended by Mr Grover, was approved of and adopted: and it may be, perhaps, as well here to make a few explanatory remarks with reference to the delay that occurred in the selection of plans.
When the committee state that at the time the drawings were under consideration there was a sum of about £240 only in the bank, it will readily be observed that strict economy had to be exercised in regard to the character of the building to be erected, and as any or either of the drawings submitted would have involved the expenditure of between £400 and £500, it was a matter of no small difficulty to ascertain which, was best capable of necessary modification. After very careful examination it was decided, as before stated, to adopt Mr Grover's plan, which, in its amended form, provided for the erection of a building, the cost of which should not largely exceed the amount standing to the credit of the fund. In adopting this course the committee venture to think that they will gain the approval of subscribers. It was held by them to be wiser to build a School of Arts capable of enlargement, and which could be paid for almost at once, than to have erected an expensive building which would have saddled the district with a heavy debt that would have taken years to remove. Tenders were accordingly invited in the local papers, and that of Mr Kendrick, at £310, was accepted.
A suitable contract was drawn up between the members of the building committee, who were appointed at a previous meeting, and the contractor, and the building was proceeded forthwith under the supervision of Mr Hutchison as clerk of works. In the course of about three months the work was completed, but in consequence of certain representations made by Mr Grover — the clerk of works who had succeeded Mr Hutchison — as to certain defects and omissions in the work, a sub-committee of three was appointed to make a close examination of the materials used, and to report to the building committee what amount, in their opinion, the contractor should allow as a set-off against any such defects or omissions that might be ascertained.
An inspection followed with the result as shown by the report of the sub-committee attached hereto. In conclusion the committee have to state that they have been obliged to arrange with the Bank of New South Wales for an overdraft of £50 to enable them to make the final payment to the contractor. A further sum of £30 or £40 will be required to provide the necessary fittings and suitable furniture for the rooms, so that nearly £100 is yet required before the institution is clear of debt.
The committee congratulate the subscribers and public of the district upon what has already been achieved, and trust that all will work with a will, and by their pecuniary aid speedily liquidate the present liability. As all are aware, the School of Arts was formally opened by Sir Henry Parkes, on the occasion of his recent visit to the town, and the committee now hand the building over to the subscribers with their best wishes for its future well-being and success.
The sub-committee (Messrs Grover, S G Smith, and P M'Cormack) recommended — "That the contractor be paid the sum of £305, the same to include all extra work, Mr Kendrick agreeing to accept the same as payment in full.
The balance sheet discloses a debit balance of £41 4s on the building, but this will be reduced to £29 13s when certain promised subscriptions are paid.
Twenty-five members were enrolled in the room on the payment of 5s subscription to 31st December next.
The old rules were adopted with some slight modifications, to remain in force until the end of the year, at which time, new rules will he framed.
The election of officers and committee was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows : — President, Mr C Legh J P, unopposed: Vice-presidents, Messrs E Grover JP, and M H Fitzhardinge: Treasurer, Mr Alderman Healey, unopposed: Secretary, Mr H S Vincent, unopposed: Committee, Messrs R A H Mitchell J P, G Stevenson, P M'Cormack, S G Smith, G E Marston, A Hutchison, D Anderson, C Brown, and Drs Tresidder and Wrigley, the Rev R Kay and Alderman Flanders.
It was decided to open the institution to subscribers on the following evening for which purpose a sub-committee was appointed. It was further arranged that for the present the building be open to the public from 7 to 10 pm (Sundays excepted) and that any member can obtain admission at any hour of the day on application to the secretary.
Very cordial votes of thanks were tendered to Mr Kenwood, secretary of the building committee and the other members of the building committee, and a special vote to Mr Alexander Hutchison for his great exertions in procuring subscriptions and other valuable labours in connection with the building.
It was announced that Mr Matheson M P, had contributed a guinea to the building fund and a cordial acknowledgment of his practical sympathy was recorded.
The proceedings closed at 10 pm with the usual acknowledgments to the chairman, on the motion of Mr P Walsh, of Ben Lomond, who cordially approved of the able and impartial manner in which Mr Legh had conducted the business of the evening.
Ref: Glen Innes Examiner and General Advertiser (NSW) Tuesday 20 September 1887.
The elegant Glen Innes School of Arts 1887: designed by architects Grover, Wright & Hutchison. New South Wales Australia
Glen Innes School of Arts
On Thursday last an inaugural public meeting of subscribers and all interested was held in the new building, and was well attended. Mr Christopher Legh J P, chairman of the building committee, presided and stated that the principal business of the meeting was the enrolment of members, receiving the building committee’s report, adoption of rules, and the election of officers to the end of the current year.
Mr G Stevenson brought up the report of a special committee, which had made the necessary provision for the holding of that meeting and revising the old rules with the view of their adoption until the 31st December next.
The secretary of the building committee brought up the report and balance sheet of that body which was unanimously adopted. The report is as follows: — About 16 months ago a movement was set on foot, having for its object the establishment of a School of Arts in our town. A public meeting was convened by Mr C Legh and others, which was well attended, and it was resolved to canvass the district for contributions. Messrs Legh and Hutchison were appointed canvassers, and Messrs. Wrigley and Kenwood treasurer and secretary respectively for the fund. The manner in which the. public responded to the call was most gratifying, and in a very few weeks a sum of over £100 had been collected. Another general meeting was then called to report progress, and the secretary was instructed to apply to the Government for the usual £ for £ grant upon the amount at the time actually subscribed. It was further decided to lose no time in making arrangements for the erection of a building upon the site in Grey Street which had been given by the Government for this purpose, and Messrs Grover, Wright, and Hutchison kindly offered to prepare and submit plans. At a meeting held in the Council Chambers a few weeks later, the plans were presented for the consideration of subscribers, and after considerable discussion, the final selection was postponed for a week. The secretary was able to intimate at this meeting that a sum of £123 7s. had been paid into the bank by the treasury, in response to the application made for the grant before referred to. Reference to the financial statement will explain what was done with the monies received pending the construction of the building.
At the next general meeting a plan prepared by Mr Hutchison, as amended by Mr Grover, was approved of and adopted: and it may be, perhaps, as well here to make a few explanatory remarks with reference to the delay that occurred in the selection of plans.
When the committee state that at the time the drawings were under consideration there was a sum of about £240 only in the bank, it will readily be observed that strict economy had to be exercised in regard to the character of the building to be erected, and as any or either of the drawings submitted would have involved the expenditure of between £400 and £500, it was a matter of no small difficulty to ascertain which, was best capable of necessary modification. After very careful examination it was decided, as before stated, to adopt Mr Grover's plan, which, in its amended form, provided for the erection of a building, the cost of which should not largely exceed the amount standing to the credit of the fund. In adopting this course the committee venture to think that they will gain the approval of subscribers. It was held by them to be wiser to build a School of Arts capable of enlargement, and which could be paid for almost at once, than to have erected an expensive building which would have saddled the district with a heavy debt that would have taken years to remove. Tenders were accordingly invited in the local papers, and that of Mr Kendrick, at £310, was accepted.
A suitable contract was drawn up between the members of the building committee, who were appointed at a previous meeting, and the contractor, and the building was proceeded forthwith under the supervision of Mr Hutchison as clerk of works. In the course of about three months the work was completed, but in consequence of certain representations made by Mr Grover — the clerk of works who had succeeded Mr Hutchison — as to certain defects and omissions in the work, a sub-committee of three was appointed to make a close examination of the materials used, and to report to the building committee what amount, in their opinion, the contractor should allow as a set-off against any such defects or omissions that might be ascertained.
An inspection followed with the result as shown by the report of the sub-committee attached hereto. In conclusion the committee have to state that they have been obliged to arrange with the Bank of New South Wales for an overdraft of £50 to enable them to make the final payment to the contractor. A further sum of £30 or £40 will be required to provide the necessary fittings and suitable furniture for the rooms, so that nearly £100 is yet required before the institution is clear of debt.
The committee congratulate the subscribers and public of the district upon what has already been achieved, and trust that all will work with a will, and by their pecuniary aid speedily liquidate the present liability. As all are aware, the School of Arts was formally opened by Sir Henry Parkes, on the occasion of his recent visit to the town, and the committee now hand the building over to the subscribers with their best wishes for its future well-being and success.
The sub-committee (Messrs Grover, S G Smith, and P M'Cormack) recommended — "That the contractor be paid the sum of £305, the same to include all extra work, Mr Kendrick agreeing to accept the same as payment in full.
The balance sheet discloses a debit balance of £41 4s on the building, but this will be reduced to £29 13s when certain promised subscriptions are paid.
Twenty-five members were enrolled in the room on the payment of 5s subscription to 31st December next.
The old rules were adopted with some slight modifications, to remain in force until the end of the year, at which time, new rules will he framed.
The election of officers and committee was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows : — President, Mr C Legh J P, unopposed: Vice-presidents, Messrs E Grover JP, and M H Fitzhardinge: Treasurer, Mr Alderman Healey, unopposed: Secretary, Mr H S Vincent, unopposed: Committee, Messrs R A H Mitchell J P, G Stevenson, P M'Cormack, S G Smith, G E Marston, A Hutchison, D Anderson, C Brown, and Drs Tresidder and Wrigley, the Rev R Kay and Alderman Flanders.
It was decided to open the institution to subscribers on the following evening for which purpose a sub-committee was appointed. It was further arranged that for the present the building be open to the public from 7 to 10 pm (Sundays excepted) and that any member can obtain admission at any hour of the day on application to the secretary.
Very cordial votes of thanks were tendered to Mr Kenwood, secretary of the building committee and the other members of the building committee, and a special vote to Mr Alexander Hutchison for his great exertions in procuring subscriptions and other valuable labours in connection with the building.
It was announced that Mr Matheson M P, had contributed a guinea to the building fund and a cordial acknowledgment of his practical sympathy was recorded.
The proceedings closed at 10 pm with the usual acknowledgments to the chairman, on the motion of Mr P Walsh, of Ben Lomond, who cordially approved of the able and impartial manner in which Mr Legh had conducted the business of the evening.
Ref: Glen Innes Examiner and General Advertiser (NSW) Tuesday 20 September 1887.