Page 222 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

245.

MOUNT VIEW SCHOOL

28 perches was part of Portion No. 105. Both portions were in the Parish
of Millfield. The land was resumed and dedicated on 15th July 1892 and
appears in the Government Gazette dated 26th November 1892.

Tenders were sought for the removal and re-erection of the old school
building and residence. The successful contractor was Mr. Arthur Bridge of
Cessnock with a quote of £519.15.3. ($1,039.53). To allow school to continue
whilst the removal work was being performed, Mr. J. Fogg's barn was leased
at a rental of 5/- ($0.50) per week. As a temporary residence for the teacher
William Bates and his family, a four-roomed furnished cottage standing on two
(2) acres of land, was leased for six months, corrunencing 19th September 1891,
at a charge of £20.0.0. ($40.00). The school and residence were ready for
occupancy on 20th February 1892.

An interesting feature in this re-construction was that the bricks,
2, 500 ir: number, used in the re-erection on the ne\.,r Mount View site, were part
of a kiln originally made for a new Convent built in Cessnock in 1891. The
Priest had condemned the bricks because the bric~aker would not allow this
kiln to be 'picked'. However, the Department of Public Instruction Inspector,
when shc·..m the bricks at Cessnock, reported that the bricks were good, fair
and sou~d, very superior to the bricks in the old ·chimneys on the old site.

Francis Stewart, a contractor, on 15th March 1892, for his tender
of £87.9.9. ($174.99) won the contract for the schoolground improvements, which
included 142 rods of fencing, four (ti) acres of clearing and the supply of
two (2) 400 gallon tanks.

William King, during 1893, made an application to buy or rent the
old school site grounds.

Eden Joseph Woodlands, a local farmer from "Wattle Ridge" property,
made repairs and re-painted the classroom in Dec9~ber 1895. His contract
price ·..;:::.s £32.0.0. ($64.00). In Murch 1892, E.J. Woodlands made further
repairs. His tender on this occasion was £39.10.0. ($79.00). Almost ten
(lOJ years later E.J. Woodlands, on 29th October 1907, built a new weathershed