Page 147 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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E L L AL 0 NG S C H0 0 L

The Government Architect had estimated that for his plans and specifications,
the new school and residence should cost £420.0.0 ($840.00). When tenders
were called, the successful contractor was John Libby of Abbott Street,
West Maitland, with his tender price of £394.0.0 ($788.00). The school
was completed and opened on 15th May 1879.

A weathershed fourteen (14) feet long by twelve (12) feet wide
and eight (8) feet high, with an iron roof was built on 27th March 1886
by W. Hurn. His tender price was £30.0.0 ($60.00). At this period the
school enrolment was eighty (80) pupils, with a daily average -attendance
of fifty four (54).

The Ellalong School Board on 30th November 1888, wrote to the
Department of Public Instruction seeking the construction of a new teacher's
residence. The Board, in their letter, had suggested to the Department
that the residence could be built for £550.0.0 ($1,100.00). However,
the Department left the request for a new residence in abeyance.

William Taylor of Ellalong, on 8th May 1889, built a second
weathershed. This was fifteen (15) feet long, twelve (12) feet wide,
twelve (12) feet high at the front and eight (8) feet high at the rear.
His price was £19.10.0 ($39.00). A month later, on 14th June 1889. Thomas
Southam and his brother repaired and re-lined the schoolhouse and teacher's
residence, after first removing the 'white-ant damage'.

The Department of Public Instruction finally agreed to build
a new teacher's residence separate from the school ea~ly in 1890. This
residence was to be erected on Lot No. 2, Section No. 18, currently the
home of H.R. Hall. Tenders were called for the construction of a brick
residence of five (5) rooms, plus a kitchen, pantry and bathroom. The
successful contractor was James Richardson of Free Church Street, West
Maitland. His tender price was £675.0.0 ($1 ,350.00). The building was
completed .and occupied on 13th June 1890. The old residence ~as purchased
and demolished on 18th August 1896 by Charles Chapman for £3.10.0 ($7.00).
The school itself was re-painted by Charles Chapman and completed on
10th October 1897. His quote had been £23.18.0 ($47.80).