626 



for such societies as might become incorporated with it. 

 The Philosophical Society, during the first few years of its 

 existence, was dependent on the goodwill of the City Council 

 for a room in which to hold its meetings, and it eagerly 

 desired something in the nature of a permanent home. 



The only existing institution having a somewhat similar 

 scope was the almost moribund South Australian Library 

 and Mechanics' Institute. It was evident that this organiza- 

 tion could not long survive by its own unaided efforts, and 

 it was already, in 1853, seeking Government support to avoid* 

 extinction. It seemed probable that its purpose could be 

 most satisfactorily achieved by its conversion into such an 

 Institute as had been dreamed of by our Society. Conse- 

 quently the two organizations joined issue in their attempts 

 to secure this desirable object, but it was chiefly due to the 

 energy displayed by the Society's representatives, John 

 Howard Clark and B. H. Babbage, that their efforts were 

 ultimately crowned with success. 



In 1856 the South Australian Institutes Act was passed, 

 and within a month the Institute be^an its career of useful- 

 ness. It was administered by a Board of six, three of whom 

 were appointed by the Governor and three by the Societies 

 which it had power to incorporate. 



The Act provided that a sum of not less than .£500 should 

 be made available for maintenance, and a short amending 

 Act enabled the Board to make advances of money to Incor- 

 porated Societies, No time was lost by the Society in making 

 its application for incorporation, but although a sympathetic 

 reply was received, it was nevertheless pointed out, that 

 hoAvever desirous the Board of Governors might be to effect 

 such incorporation, the circumstances in which they were 

 temporarily placed rendered an immediate junction imprac- 

 ticable. The reply had reference to certain defects in the 

 Act which required amendment, and also to the difficult}'' in 

 regard to accommodation. 



The Institute was at this time housed in Green's 

 Exchange Buildings, but an endeavour was being made to 

 secure more commodious premises. Owing to the difficulty of 

 obtaining suitable rooms, the Board at length decided to apply 

 to the Government for the erection of a building on public 

 land. It was estimated that the cost would be approximately 

 £4,000, and immense energy was displayed by all parties to 

 induce Parliament to make this sum available for the purpose. 



Not the least active participant in these proceedings was 

 the Philosophical Society. Among the papers preserved in 

 the Archives is a draft memorial to the House of Assembly, 

 in the handwriting of John Howard Clark, who was then 

 Hon. Secretary. 



