Page 238 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

261 .

MU L B R I NG S C H 0 0 L

of Mount Vincent found that he had to pay £67.0.0. ($134.00) to make the
purchase. Inspector T. Dwyer forwarded a letter of congratulations and the
Department's thanks for the teacher's action.

With the change of location of the school there was a need for a
new teacher's residence closer or adjacent to the new school. Again, there
are no records in the Archives files of tenders being called or contracts made
for the construction of a residence. However, on 1st May 1884, Mr. George
Nash's premises were leased at an annual rental of £26.0.0. ($52.00). The
premises consisted of five (5) rooms situated in a lucerne and grazing paddock.
Whilst no evidence of purchase or construction of a teacher's residence is
in the files, the lease was annulled on 12th February 1885. It would appear
that a residence had been built. Records of 1887 and 1888 show repairs being
made to the teacher's residence which supports the supposition of the construct-
ion - plus that today, the residence adjoins the school.

In July 1887, a skillion room fourteen (14) feet by eight (8) feet
and eight (8) feet high, was added to the teacher's residence by Mr. Reece
Lewis of Maitland. The specifications set out that the addition was to be
constructed of hardwood, with a galvanised iron roof. It was to have a pine
door and a glass glazed window. On completion, the addition was to be painted.
Mr. R. Lewis was rewarded by a payment of £33.0.0. ($66.00).

Thomas Southam of Wickham, on 6th July 1888, made some 'white-ant'
repairs to the residence. His quote of £40.0.0. ($80.00) also provided for
the addition of a bathroom.

Teacher Sydney Dodds had a 'sideline' interest in that he owned a
three hundred (300) acre selection some three (3) miles from Mulbring. The
property name was "Woodstock" and adjoined the Richmond Vale School. It had
some ten (10) acres of vineyards plus a wine cellar, about five (5) acres of
orchard and the balance in grazing paddocks. During December 1888, Mr. H.
Hector sent a . letter to the Depart~ent of Public Instruction complaining that
Mr. Dodds was neglecting his teaching to work his vineyard. Further, Mr.
Hector complained, Mr. Dodds had a second occupation as a 'Bone Merchant' and