Page 126 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

133.

CONGEWAI SCHOOL
(ORIGINAL NAME EGLINFORD PUBLIC SCHOOL)

The school classroom was lengthened some eight (8) feet on 16th
July 1890 by removing the west wall and filling in the extra added space.
The specifications set out:-

"Carefully remove western wall, gable and
steps of the present building and re-use
in the construction of the new building .
Provide and fix two desks and forms of
exactly similar material and pattern as
those in present use and of sufficient
length to leave a space of 24 inches".

Mr. Thomas Caban of Ellalong was paid £25.0.0 ($50.00) for this activity.
In April 1891, Mr. T. Caban was paid £2.0.0 ($4.00) to close up the floor-
boards and ceiling boards.

Mr. George Daunt of Quorrobolong, on 16th March 1894, was paid
fifteen shillings ($1 .50) for effecting minor repairs to the school door and
to the water storage tank. On 11th January 1896, Mr. John Crossley, a school
neighbour, was paid £4.15.0 ($9.50), for removing some trees that were considered
a possible danger to the school building.

In October 1896, Mr. E.J. Woodlands added a verandah at a cost of
£8.10.0 ($17.00). He followed this by repainting the school internally and
externally with three coats of paint. For the painting work, he was paid
£4.9.6 ($8.96).

During 1897, vandals broke and smashed the Eg~inford schoolhou~e ·
windows on three occasions. On another visit, the water storage tank was
emptied. The local residents requested the provision of a school teacher's
residence at the school to protect the building, but the suggestion was
declined. On 31st August 1904, Mr. W. Radnidge of Ellalong, provided a six
hundred (600) gallon water storage tank, which cost £5.17.0 ($11 .70).

The Eglinford School was closed from September 1911 until January
1912. Herbert Hart, who was appointed in August 1911, found that because
of his age, the daily travel to school from his accommodation in Ellalong,
became too much for him.