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Cover of the First Rules and Office Bearers 1854 |
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The first rules of the Prahran Mechanics’ Institute were passed at the public meeting on 1 May 1854. The rules show that the library was open to members every evening except Sundays, from 6pm to 10pm, and that overdue fines of sixpence per day applied (this is considerably higher than our overdue fees today!). The rules also state that “members of other Mechanics’ Institutes in the Australian colonies shall be admitted as honorary member of the Prahran Mechanics’ Institute for a period of six weeks.” This rule was moved by Rusden. He wrote to the Argus, 30 May 1854 :- Now that kindred Institutes are in the course of formation in other parts of Victoria, the rule I speak of must have considerable and beneficial influence ; and I trust that each Institution which may be formed in the colony will see cause for following the example which has been set at Prahran. |
In the process of time, we may fairly expect that our example will be followed in the neighboring colonies ; and then — when a colonist who neither aspires to A Heaven like Bedlam, slovenly and sad nor is enslaved by That jolly God who passes hours too well, To promise heaven, or threaten us with hell. When such a colonist travels from place to place in Australasia, he will find himself always at home amidst the gathered wisdom of the world. (Source: La Trobe Rare Books Collection, State Library of Victoria.) |
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