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By Fitzroy
Once the town of Rockhampton was formed, and it had a population of less
than 1000 persons, there was a a very widespread feeling that a School of
Arts should be formed, so that the inhabitants should have a cheap and ready
means of reading the papers of the other states, and obtaining books and other
information so badly needed in a a new community.
 |
|
Rockhampton School of Arts 1900 |
When the present School of Arts is visited, and all its books, papers, and
up todate comforts and conveniences are inspected, it is good to know the
pioneers of 1861 made the first all important move in establishing that splendid
institution. It is comparatively easy to start thinking when all are of one
mind, though so far as a School of Arts was concerned there were those who
were thought to the idea premature, though they were not opposed to it. Those
most earnestly in favour of the institution got over all the initial difficulties,
and on July 23, 1861, a meeting was convened in the old court house to give
the idea a practical start.
There was a large attandance of leading townsmen, and it was enthusiasticlly
decided that a School of Arts should be established in Rockhampton. The following
gentlemen were appointed a preliminary committee, all of whom were familiar
enough to the writer, but alas all dead years ago :- Messrs. S. Kelly (Rev),
John Jardine, John Palmer, Robert M Hunter, J A Larnach, A F Woods, Frank
N Beddek, Andrew Bertram, and C Archer. At a committee meeting, held two days
subsequently, Mr William J Brown, P D Mansfield, William H. Buzacott, and
Henry Moore were added to the committee. The committee then decided that the
institution should be named the Rockhampton school of Arst, and that its main
object should be :- the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other usual
knowledge amongst its members, to be obtained by means of a reading room,
the delivery of lectures, a library, and the establishment of class.
The institution thus started with the most approved objects and aspirations,
and it will be no exaggeration to say that they have been carried out to the
letter, and the Rockhampton School of Arts stands high among such institutions
throughout the length and breadth of this state.
In January, 1862, the officials of the new institution were appointed by ballot,
which excited a great deal of interest. The appointments were as follows :-
President, John Jardine; vice-president, Samuel Kelly (Rev), and Robert M
Hunter; treasurer, John A Lanarch; Hon. Secretary, G A Dan Taffe and F K Milne;
Committee, Frank Hall, Charles Pybus, J R Ross, A Thozet, Albrech Feez, John
Palmer, Andrew Bertram, P D Mansfield, Lambert J. Bird, George Ranken, and
George H. Buzacott. A very strong and influential lot of gentlemen, as all
will admit who remember them personally.
That indispensable government building, the court house, was at once thought
of as the place to start proceedings, and as the Police Magistrate was the
President of the new institution there was presumably no hesitation in allowing
a portion of the building to be used as a reading room and library.
Of course it was intanded to erect a suitable building with all speed, but
though the committee collected £100 redily enough. The government with
characteristic dilatoriness in money matters was not so prompt with its money
on the cost. The consequence was that the project remained in abeyance from
July 9, 1860, till August 4, 1864, when I a public meeting held in the court
house, of which W. J. Brown presided. The chairman outlined the position,
from which it appeared that the £100 promised had only resulted in £53
in cash in hand. What was required was £200 pounds in cash, so that
with an equal amount from the government a building costing £400 might
be erected. These delays meant that the population of the town had considerably
increased, and the sub-committee appointed were so successful in their canvassing
that with promises they raised a total of £434, which with an equal
amount from the Government would mean a far more suitable building than was
suggested by Mr Brown. In 1863 plans were prepared, and tenders called, that
of Messars. Dowland and Hartley, at £800, being accepted. The contractors
carried out their part of the agreement, and the building was erected on the
present site occupied a by the School of Arts. The formal opening all the
institution was performed by the member for the district, the Honourable John
Douglas, M. L. A., who in a long speech, commended the people on having acquired
a fine building for the purpose originally intended, which was a credit alike
to subscriber's and to Rockhampton. The officials of the institution where
:- President, John Douglas, M. L. A.; vice president's, R. H. D. White and
W. J. Brown; treasurer, J T Walker; trustees, J. A. Lanark, and John Jardine,
and A. F. Wood; honourable secretary, J S Gray; committee, Samuel Savage (Rev),
R M Hunter, R J McWilliam, J Smith, R Gardner, C C Gerber, John Ferguson,
G B Shaw, and C Polson. The writer is not certain whether any of these gentlemen
are still alive, but probably they have all passed away.
W J Brown was one of those who took a keen interest in the institution from
its inception, and the following year he was elected president, holding the
position for two years. Then R A D White was chosen as president, and A Kerr
was hon secretary. The former was the celebrated "Bobby" White,
such a popular resident of those days. He was manager of the Bank of New South
Wales when it was in the building known subsequently as "Cooinda"
at the corner of Denham and Bolsover streets. In the late Sixties Bobby was
on the Gympie Maryborough coach when it was stuck up by bushrangers, and was
largely responsible for driving them off. R. H. D. was captain of the Rockhampton
rifle corps, and of being a tall big man off about 15 s looked remarkably
refined in his uniform. Captain White did not remain long in Rockhampton,
but there are still many a man who will remember what a genial and hearty
fellow he was.
Iin 1868 the School of Arts was so well established, and was making such progress
that it was decided to have a payable secretary and librarian. William John
Cumming was appointed, and held the position for some years, but he was really
to irascible for such a position. and was succeeded by G H Pilcher B. A.,
who made way for George Potts who resigned in 1889. He was succeeded by N
M M Davidson, on whose retirement W. K. Cleeve was appointed and still holds
the position, and holds it with credit to himself and satisfaction to subscribers.
In fairness it should be added that a modicum of this commandation must be
given to his capable and attentive assistant, Miss Gracie Perrier..