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Doyleston (Later Ellesmere) Mutual Improvement Association
Description
TitleDoyleston (Later Ellesmere) Mutual Improvement Association
DescriptionIn August and December 1871, Doyleston was referred to as the “Modern Athens” in the newspapers.
Again in January 1874 it was called “the brains of Ellesmere”.
“Modern Athens” probably had more to do with the success of a Mutual Improvement Association (MIA) rather than the number of stone buildings in Doyleston.
MIAs were common in Canterbury. Kaiapoi established one in 1865, St Albans 1867, and several operated in Christchurch during the 1870s.
The Doyleston MIA started in April 1869 and the second meeting was reported in May. This meeting was held at the Creek Lodge, Boggy Creek, with John Rennie in the chair.
Mr Lochhead gave an essay on “The utilisation of straw as a manure”.
Meetings were generally held fortnightly through to 1875 with periods of lesser activity.
Meetings frequently followed a similar pattern of two prepared speeches presenting both sides of a topic, followed by a general discussion and a vote.
Following the vote there were readings or recitations.
In October 1869 John Lambie read an “Essay on Man” in which he explained theories on human evolution to a very attentive audience which included several women. Mr McLachlan was then called on to read a selection from "As you Like It." Mr O'Boyle followed with a recitation, "The Spanish Champion." At this stage the Association had over 30 members.
Topics for discussion ranged from the very agricultural ones such as “Is dairy farming or grain growing the more profitable?” and, “in planting trees should evergreen or deciduous preponderate?” through to Provincial matters, such as “Would a reduction in the price of our waste lands invite capitalists to the province?” through to National matters such as, “Will the large expenditure proposed by the present Ministry on the construction of railways benefit the colony and prove remunerative?”.
The topic, “ Should marriage with a deceased wife’s sister be made legal?” seems strange today.
Meetings were held in Creek Lodge, Boggy Creek, until the first public hall was opened, in Doyleston, in mid-1871.
The Association built up a library and about this time it was decided to change the name from Doyleston MIA to Ellesmere MIA as gentlemen from a wide area were attending meetings.
In 1874 the Provincial Council gave the Association £75 to establish a public library and later questions were asked about how the money was spent.
Some questioned how “public” the library that the MIA constructed across the road from the town hall, really was.
One letter to the editor said that the money should have been spent lining the hall so that it could have been used as a side-school.
The Association seems to have ended at the time of a court case where the MIA represented by John Lambie v J Robb and John McLachlan, “claim £10, the value of material linked to the defendants as trustee of the town hall for enlarging same “ being part of government grant to the MIA.
Information from Papers Past
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date8 August 2019SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoyleston
DescriptionIn August and December 1871, Doyleston was referred to as the “Modern Athens” in the newspapers. Again in January 1874 it was called “the brains of Ellesmere”.
“Modern Athens” probably had more to do with the success of a Mutual Improvement Association (MIA) rather than the number of stone buildings in Doyleston.
MIAs were common in Canterbury. Kaiapoi established one in 1865, St Albans 1867, and several operated in Christchurch during the 1870s.
The Doyleston MIA started in April 1869 and the second meeting was reported in May. This meeting was held at the Creek Lodge, Boggy Creek, with John Rennie in the chair.
Mr Lochhead gave an essay on “The utilisation of straw as a manure”.
Meetings were generally held fortnightly through to 1875 with periods of lesser activity.
Meetings frequently followed a similar pattern of two prepared speeches presenting both sides of a topic, followed by a general discussion and a vote.
Following the vote there were readings or recitations.
In October 1869 John Lambie read an “Essay on Man” in which he explained theories on human evolution to a very attentive audience which included several women. Mr McLachlan was then called on to read a selection from "As you Like It." Mr O'Boyle followed with a recitation, "The Spanish Champion." At this stage the Association had over 30 members.
Topics for discussion ranged from the very agricultural ones such as “Is dairy farming or grain growing the more profitable?” and, “in planting trees should evergreen or deciduous preponderate?” through to Provincial matters, such as “Would a reduction in the price of our waste lands invite capitalists to the province?” through to National matters such as, “Will the large expenditure proposed by the present Ministry on the construction of railways benefit the colony and prove remunerative?”.
The topic, “ Should marriage with a deceased wife’s sister be made legal?” seems strange today.
Meetings were held in Creek Lodge, Boggy Creek, until the first public hall was opened, in Doyleston, in mid-1871.
The Association built up a library and about this time it was decided to change the name from Doyleston MIA to Ellesmere MIA as gentlemen from a wide area were attending meetings.
In 1874 the Provincial Council gave the Association £75 to establish a public library and later questions were asked about how the money was spent.
Some questioned how “public” the library that the MIA constructed across the road from the town hall, really was.
One letter to the editor said that the money should have been spent lining the hall so that it could have been used as a side-school.
The Association seems to have ended at the time of a court case where the MIA represented by John Lambie v J Robb and John McLachlan, “claim £10, the value of material linked to the defendants as trustee of the town hall for enlarging same “ being part of government grant to the MIA.
Information from Papers Past
Mike Noonan
Ellesmere Historical Society
Date8 August 2019SourceThe Ellesmere EchoLocationDoylestonClick on the image to add
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Doyleston (Later Ellesmere) Mutual Improvement Association (8 August 2019). Selwyn Stories, accessed 26/07/2026, https://selwynstories.selwynlibraries.co.nz/nodes/view/5265