Page 167 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

190.

KI T CHE NE R S C H 0 0 L

at least three (3) more desks. Three additional desks and forms were sent
from East Maitland to Cessnock by rail, and transported to the Kitchener
School by a local carrier, Mr. Buchanan.

Miss Evelyn Mcintosh, in October 1919, who was travelling by her
sulky from Cessnock to Kitchener, asked for an increase in her forage allow-
ance to help pay for the erection of a sulky storage shed area at the school.
When her request was refused, Miss Mcintosh corrunenced to use a bicycle for
her transport. When the Inspector became aware of this, her forage allowance
was reduced to £5.0.0. ($10.00) per annum.

Quite a number of local Kitchener people pressed for the erection
of a proper school, and for additional teaching staff. On 14th November 1919,
Mr. Frank Lovett, Clerk at the Colliery, visited the school and found over
sixty (60) pupils being taught by the one lady teacher. On 21st November 1919,
a Clergyman, Rev. H.E. Lawson of Bridge Street Cessnock, complained to the
Education Department about the Kitchener School. He described his Scripture
Class of one hour durationas being most trying in the unlined, unceiled, one
room classroom. He pitied the poor teacher who had to teach all day under
such poor circumstances.

These complaints, plus some Political pressure by Mr. W. Kearsley,
the local Member of the Legislative Assembly, encouraged the Education Depart-
ment to adopt the recommendation made by its Inspector William E. James.
This recommendation was that the Education Department should erect a two roomed
school, of the No. 4 Standard Plan Style similar to that recently erected at
Kearsley and Abernethy. The Department agreed and called tenders.

Mr. W. James, School Inspector, had also advised his Department that
the trend appeared to be that school numbers would increase. He added that an
assistant teacher should be provided. Further, that until the new school was
built, additional temporary accommodation should be arranged. To acccmplish
thi s, on 2nd February 1920, a room was rented from Mr. David Emerson, the
Postmaster at Kitchener. The room was leased at Ten (10) shillings ($1.00)
per week rental.