Page 200 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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MI L L F I E L D S C H 0 0 L

On 1st October 1874, Joseph Croyle of Millfield wrote direct to the
Council of Education in Sydney offering to sell his building standing on seven
(7) acres facing Wollombi Road and opposite the flour mill, which he valued at
£300.0.0. ($600.00). He described it in his letter, as being a weatherboard
house, line~ with cedar, with twelve (12) foot high walls and with seventy (701
feet of verandahs. He summed up his description by stating that "the premises
form a commanding, healthy and attractive appearance". The Millfield local
School Board got "wind" of Mr. Croyle's offer and their Secretary Joseph Woodlar
wrote on 15th October 1874, to the Council of Education, giving the local Board'
view of Croyle's premises. The letter stated that the building required some
little repairing. It had six (6) or seven (7) well furnished rooms and in
particular, a front room twenty seven (271 feet by seventeen (17) feet, and had
a fireplace. A detached kitchen was at the rear of this building. In additic
there was a large shed; the grounds were large, cleared and fenced. The local
Board thought it was a good proposition.

Perhaps Joseph Woodlands considered that he had not given enough suppo
A second letter dated 27th October 1874, was worded in more terse terms. Josep
Woodlands, local Board Secretary, stated that the Board considered the current
Millfield school to be operating in very dilapidated conditions. The interior
of the schoolroom was exposed to wind, rain and suh. The floor was constructed
from rough slabs, so uneven that the desks and seats shook. The Council of
Education directed Inspector J. Jones to make an examination of Croyle's buildin
and this he did on 12th November 1874. The Inspector thought that the building
was in fair condition and that an amount of £30.0.0. ($60.00) would be required
for repairs. Following their Inspector's report, tQe Council decided · to purcha
Croyle's premises and advised the Millfield local School Board by letter on 18th
November 1874, of its decision. In this letter the Council stated that it woul
contribute £200.0.0. ($400.00) provided the local Board found the balance. The
local Board ag~eed and indicated that it desired to 5ell the timber on Portion
No. 96 to recover part of its share.

The first permanent Public Schoel at Millfield was the building purcha:
on 20th July 1875, from Mr. J. Croyle for £300.13.6. ($601.36). The Conveyance
for this sale is shown as No. 653, Eook No. 152. Of this amount, £100.0.0.