MECHANICS INSTITUTE

mechanics institute

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Katanning’s first hall, built by Frederick Piesse, was originally built as an agricultural hall on the Austral Terrace site in 1896 for the sole use and benefit of the agricultural community. The single-storey brick building was a simple, rectangular hall with a pitched corrugated iron roof. It is possibly the oldest surviving building in Katanning. In 1899 the Agricultural Hall Committee and the Mechanics’ Institute amalgamated and the institute was given a 200-pound grant to improve the hall to become known as the Mechanics’ Institute and Public Hall. It sits adjacent to the Katanning Town Hall and had some renovations completed around 2010 including a new roof.

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Mechanics’ Institute to be entered on heritage register.

West Australian
Monday, 30 June 1997

The historic Katanning Mechanics’ Institute, which has played an important part in the development of the town, is to have its heritage values recognised by the State Government.

The original Mechanic’s Institute, which still exists today, is incorporated into the town end of the Katanning Town Hall.

Heritage Minister Graham Kierath said the turn of the century building was one of the first to be erected in the Katanning district and had provided a range of services, making it an important landmark. The building was to be listed on the Heritage Council of Western Australia’s interim register of heritage places to recognise its aesthetic and historic values. “The Mechanics’ Institute movement originated in England and developed as a means of providing instruction for tradesmen,” Mr. Kierath said.

“The majority of these tradesmen, or ‘mechanics’, had no education. Educating them was seen as free education for their children. “In most parts of Australia, early library services were provided by churches and Sunday schools and through organisations such as mechanics’ institutes and literary organisations.

“Mechanics’ Institutes developed in Western Australia in a sporadic way with the Katanning branch being established in 1894 by a pioneer of the area, Frederick Piesse.

“The institute’s aim was the ‘cultivation of literature, science, and art, the intellectual improvement and the recreation of its members’. “Mr. Piesse originally built an agricultural hall on the Austral Terrace site in 1896 for the sole use and benefit of the agricultural community.”

The single-storey brick building was a simple, rectangular hall with a pitched corrugated iron roof. In 1899 the Agricultural Hall Committee and the Mechanics’ Institute amalgamated and the institute was given a 200-pound grant to improve the hall to become known as the Mechanics’ Institute and Public Hall.

Mechanics Institute c1905
Katanning Historical Society Photo

Mr. Kierath said that over the years the hall had undergone many changes and it was almost amalgamated into a complex of buildings including the adjacent town hall. “The building has provided a wide range of services over the years including a library, reading room and facilities for billiards, chess, cards and table tennis,” he said. “The billiard room still houses three tables, two of which are original.

“Many locals will remember it fondly as a venue for balls and dances, cinema and theatrical and other performances. “It’s changing face shows the growth of the town of Katanning.” Mr. Kierath said the institute was in fair condition but had a high degree of authenticity, as it was still used as the shire library.

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WHAT’S IN A NAME
KATANNING MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE.
TRUSTEES versus MEMBERS

Great Southern Herald
23 January 1904 – P3

Last year, a sub-committee of the Mechanics’ Institute and Public Hall was appointed to draft new rules and a change of name; was recommended in them. The name suggested was ‘The Mechanics’ Institute (incorporated,’ and at a general meeting of members held subsequently each rule was read out and agreed to. The Institute was therefore incorporated under the “Associations Incorporation Act 1895″ as the Katanning Mechanics’ Institute.” The only thing wanted was the signatures of the trustees to the memorial, which it was necessary to forward to the Titles Office.

At the annual meeting of the Institute on Wednesday, when the chairman, Mr. Roth asked whether there was any business arising out of the minutes, Hon. F.H. Piesse drew attention to this question. He instanced the reason of the amalgamation of the Mechanics’ Institute and the Public Hall in the first place, and said that he could not understand why the change of name had been decided upon. He had postponed signing the memorial on that account and attended the meeting to get information and talk the matter over with members more than anything else. He was anxious to act in accordance with their wishes and was not at that stage prepared to express a definite opinion. He would give further attention to the matter and would carefully consider his position as a trustee.

Mr. E. B. Johnston, secretary of the sub-committee which framed the rules, said that the name Mechanics Institute and Public Hall had been considered too cumbersome, and that the committee, thinking Mechanics’ Institute (incorporated) would be much more advantageous, recommended the change of name which was agreed to at a property advertised general meeting of members, at which a motion “to retain” the old name; was rejected. Mr. W. Pemble then addressed the meeting with much warmth, and insinuated that there had been too much secrecy over the matter. He next read some old minutes dealing with the amalgamation of the Mechanics’ Institute and Public Hall.

“There must have been some misgivings,” he remarked as he finished reading, “or it would not have been stipulated that the name must be chosen by the public.”
The Chairman: – This discussion is informal. Does anyone wish to bring forward a motion on the subject?
Hon. F. H. Piesse said he thought a public meeting should be called to deal with the matter.

Mr Pemble declared that he would refuse to sign the memorial at the present stage. He had objected to the change of name and had told the other members of the sub committee that he held the old agreement and minutes of meetings.
Mr Johnston: I never remember you saying so.

After further discussion the matter dropped without any future action being decided upon. Affairs are therefore now at a deadlock. The trustees refuse to sign the memorial which is for the purpose of having the property vested in members as a body because they would thus be signing a document which confirmed the alteration, which has already been approved by the Supreme Court.

To revert to the old name would mean extra expense. Moreover, Mr Pemble declared that the amalgamation of the Mechanics’ Institute and Public Hall as decided upon in the first instance was binding on all time.

The other members of the committee I assert that they were ignorant of the existence of the records in this connection when they were engaged on the work of framing new rules. At any rate unless a general meeting of members is called it is not likely that anything will be done in the matter, as ‘we understand’ the committee will not budge, in any case, it has no power to overrule the wish of the members to have the name altered, as expressed at the special general meeting.

THE COMMITTEE’S POSITION.
When seen by a representative of “The Great Southern Herald,” Mr. K. B. Johnston made, the following statement on behalf of the retiring Committee. “Some misunderstanding appears to have arisen, in connection with the recent change of the name of the Katanning Mechanics’ Institute (incorporated). The facts of the case are as follow. On assuming office last year, the incoming committee found that the Institute had no rules or constitution whatever. I recognised at once the danger of such a body being without a legal status, and a subcommittee was appointed to draw up suitable rules. This task was completed after correspondence with sister Institutes in the agricultural districts throughout this state. The change of name was recommended in the rules for convenience and to fall in line with all similar bodies.

After adoption by the committee, the rules were accepted at a well-advertised and representative special general meeting of the members of the amalgamated body, which a motion to retain the old name was rejected.. Mr W. Pemble, one of the trustees, presided at that meeting, and as he assisted to frame the new rules, he was aware of the proposed change. Mr Cronin, a second trustee, is a member of the committee, and seconded the motion to have the Institute incorporated. Mr Pemble certainly voted against the change of name last July but no other action was taken, Had the trustees then written to the committee or expressed their views on the subject strongly, I believe their wishes would have been met! Many members, of course, did not know of the interesting ancient history concerning the amalgamation – which has since unearthed. However, after compliance with the statutory formalities the Institute incorporated by the Supreme Court on November 5 last under the ‘Associations Incorporation Act 1895,’ as the Katanning Mechanics’ Institute.

The rules have also been passed by the Supreme Court. The signing of the memorial by the trustees in no way affects the incorporation, which as stated above, is complete, and confers many benefits on the members.

The memorial is only necessary in order to have the incorporation noted in the Titles Office. It is to be regretted if this slight alteration does not please the older members, the value of whose services to the Institute and to the town and district cannot be overestimated. I am glad to be able to assure them, however, that under the new constitution the farmers are rightly granted more privileges than they ever had before. It is provided that three members of the committee must be country members, and new concessions are given in regard to, the number of books lent to them, Ac.”

A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST
The old minutes and records which Mr. Pemble read out at the meeting on Wednesday evening will, of no doubt, be interesting to members. We Therefore publish that portion which leads up to the amalgamation of the Mechanics’ Institute and Public Hall.

On February 28, 1899, Mr Pemble, the secretary of the Agricultural committee, received the following telegram from Hon. F.H. Piesse, who is in Perth on that date: “Would like to meet your committee Saturday night next discuss question of expenditure of two hundred pounds voted for the Mechanics Institute and for amalgamation of Agricultural Hall and Institute interests upon lines I will be prepared to place before a combined committee if they will meet me together. Hope you can arrange meeting accordingly.”

On the Saturday evening following the above date a meeting was held under the presidency of the late Dr. W. K. Adam, Messrs Garstone, Pemble and Cronin attended on behalf of the Building Committee, and Messrs, Lebad, O’Brien, D. Wilson, Jefferies, Langley, Fonceca, A. E. Piesse and Livesey the Mechanics’ Institute. Hon. F. H. Piesse expounded his views with regard to the proposed amalgamation of the two bodies. A considerable amount of discussion ensued, but eventually the following resolution was agreed to.

“That the committees of both institutions resign and that the secretaries of both institutions convene a public meeting of subscribers for the purpose of electing a new committee to take over the control of the Agricultural Hall and the Katanning Mechanics Institute together with the expenditure of the proposed grant of £200 to be made to the Mechanics’ Institute.” The members of both committees duly resigned office and a public meeting was convened for March 18. Prior to this, however, the Agricultural Hall Building Committee laid down the following conditions before it would agree to amalgamation.

1. The Agricultural Hall building committee will nominate three of its number to act with four elected by the Mechanics’ Institute, to form a committee of management.
2. The committee shall be elected annually, and each committee must include three farmers. 3. The name chosen for the combined societies shall resemble the whole names as nearly as possible, and the name shall be decided at the public meetings.
3. The amalgamated committees shall be governed by the by-laws submitted herewith until by-laws for the society, which must have the conditions of agreement inserted therein, are framed by its members.

At the public meeting Mr Pemble, who occupied the chair, said that if town and country members could agree by amalgamation, it would be better for both parties concerned. A considerable amount of discussion took place with reference to the conditions of the Agricultural Hall Building Committee, but eventually, on the advice of the late Dr. W. K. Adam, who foresaw that no better ones could be obtained, they were agreed to.

Mr Langley then proposed, and Mr Livesey seconded, “That the name of the amalgamated societies be called the Mechanics’ Institute and Public Hall.” After the motion had been carried the election of officers took place and resulted as follows. President, late Dr. Adam; committee, A. E. Piesse, Langley, Livesey, Lebad (Mechanics’ Institute); Pemble, Garstone and M. Cronin (Hall).

On April 27,1899, Mr Pemble received a communication from the Under-Secretary for Public Works, Mr Jull, stating that the hon. minister had acceded to the request to allow the proposed committee management for the hall to consist of those members nominated by the building committee, and four gentlemen elected by the residents.

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IN THE NEWS

KATANNING.

The Inquirer and Commercial News
7 April 1899 – p8

A successful social gathering in aid of the funds of the Anglican Church was held in the Agricultural Hall on Monday night, all denominations being well represented. Card-playing and various other games were indulged in and songs were rendered by Misses Starr, Doolette. and Newton, and Messrs. Livesey, Howes, and McIndoe. Dancing commenced at about 11 o’clock, and was continued for several hours. Refreshments were provided by the ladies of the church committee.

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Katanning Town Hall

From the inHerit Website:

The Katanning Town Hall has high historical and social significance. It has been the centre of many important institutions in Katanning, such as the Mechanics’ Institute, the Katanning Roads Board and the Katanning Agricultural Committee, as well as providing an important social venue for the local community.

Katanning Town Hall c 1930
With the Dalgety building on the left and the Goldsborough Mort building on the right.
WA State Library photo

Although it has undergone many modifications and changes, the original hall building is still the main feature and has significant architectural value. The foundation stone for the Katanning Town Hall was laid on 22nd August 1896 by the Hon F H Piesse, MLA. The building was made possible through the donation of 10,000 bricks by F & C Piesse, government subsidy and voluntary labour to cart the bricks, sand and lime.

The opening ceremony was reported in the Australian Advertiser
27 August1896

A photograph of the tout ensemble was then taken by the representatives of Messrs. Nixon and Mirrilees, Fremantle, and then the casket containing town records ….a copy of the West Australian of August 21st, and of the Australian Advertiser of August 22nd, together with all the silver coins of the realm, was sealed and securely cemented at the back of the foundation stone, which was a block of granite suitably inscribed,

Katanning Town Hall c 1940’s

The agricultural hall cost £3000 to build, the contractor being Mr. George Thomas, and the contractor for the woodwork was Mr. Andrew Stewart. It was officially opened in 1897.

In 1899 it became known as the Mechanics’ Institute and Public Hall after it was decided at a public meeting to amalgamate the Mechanics’ Institute and the Agricultural Hall committee. Improvements were carried out to the hall at this time, giving the Mechanics’ Institute members permanent quarters.

By 1903, some ill feeling had developed between the institute members and the agriculturalists over the suggestion to change the name to the simpler “Mechanics’ Institute (inc.)”. The Roads Board also leased a room in the hall for their office at this time.

In 1907, a new Mechanic’s Hall was erected next to the old one, which was by now in a state of disrepair and included “four shops, a main entrance, a spacious cloakroom, a ticket office, a large stage and dressing rooms”. [Bignell, p 238]

Elaborate wrought iron gates (made by B Makutz) were also added, “scenic stage backdrops designed by P Goatcher and a panelled ceiling, the work of a Mr. Tindale – all well-known Perth contractors – while the intricate electric light system was personally supervised by F T R Piesse“. [Bignell, p.38] The architect for this work was J Herbert Eales and the contractor was Alex Thomson. The existing hall was also renovated at the same time, using brick partitioning and incorporating a reading room and library as well as a billiards room and caretaker’s quarters. Not long after this work, the Roads Board offices were also refurbished.

The Town Hall c2010
Photo by Arthur Todd

Extensive additions and alterations were completed in 1928, which included the addition of the second storey. The architects were Eales & Cohen of Perth, the contractor was Alex Thomson and the contract price was £6495. With the completion of these additions and alterations, the building was now more commonly referred to as the Town Hall. Inside the hall was housed the Road Board offices and meeting room, and a large modern hall with a gallery.

A library was added in 1944. The building is rendered in a mannered classical mode and, in 1979, further additions and alterations were carried out in a Post-war Functionalist style. The architects were Henderson and Thompson, and the supervisor was V C Philpott.

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WHAT ARE “MECHANIC’S INSTITUTES?

From Wikipedia

Mechanics’ institutes are educational establishments, originally formed to provide adult education, particularly in technical subjects, to working men. Similar organisations are sometimes simply called “institutes”. As such, they were often funded by local industrialists on the grounds that they would ultimately benefit from having more knowledgeable and skilled employees (such philanthropy was shown by, among others, Robert Stephenson, James Nasmyth, John Davis Barnett and Joseph Whitworth). The mechanics’ institutes were used as “libraries” for the adult working class, and provided them with an alternative pastime to gambling and drinking in pubs. Continue reading

MECHANIC’S INSTITUTES OF AUSTRALIA

Mechanics’ Institutes were a Victorian institution which spread to the corners of the English speaking world, including Australian colonies where they were set up in virtually every colony. The world’s first Mechanics’ Institute was established in Edinburgh, Scotland, in October 1821 as the School of Arts of Edinburgh.

In Australia, the first Mechanics’ Institute was established in Hobart in 1827, followed by the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts in 1833, Newcastle School of Arts in 1835, then the Melbourne Mechanics’ Institute established in 1839 (renamed the Melbourne Athenaeum in 1873). From the 1850s, Mechanics’ Institutes quickly spread throughout Victoria wherever a hall, library or school was needed. Over 1200 Mechanics’ Institutes were built in Victoria but just over 500 remain today, and only six still operate their lending library services. Continue reading