Page 247 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

270.

MURRAYS RUN SCHOOL

The Department of Public Instruction r~plied to the main corres-
pondent, Rev. C.D. Newman, in the following terms:-

"If the applicants promise to build within a reasonable
time, say three or four months, and on a suitable site,
say l~ miles nearer Mr. Sternbech's homestead, a
suitable slab schoolhouse at least twenty (20) feet
long by ten (10) feet wide and eight (8) feet high;
the structure to have a fireplace, two frame-windows,
a side door and boarded or slabbed floor. The appli-
cants must also supply four (4) desks and four (4) forms
each eight (8) feet long. Further, there must be
provided a lavatory, twenty (20) hat-pegs and a water-
butt. If these terms can be met, the Department will
reconunend that aid for a Provisional school should be
granted".

During March 1877, Rev. C.D. Newman replied on behalf of his fellow promoters,
that they accepted the Department's terms and would arrange to erect a
schoolhouse.

In view of this agreement, on 31st March 1877, Inspector J. Jones
directed Mr. Israel Unsworth to take possession of the school material, includin8
books, slates, maps, etc., belonging to the then recently closed Stockyard
Creek Provisional School.

The Department of Public Instruction's records show that Murrays
Run Provisional School officially opened on 1st April 1877.

The Murrays Run residents carried out their part of the agreement
by erecting their new school on 7th July 1877. Two (2) acres of Crown Land
had been surveyed by R.H. Matthews of Singletor1. Thi3 wna on Bu8h Creek Rond
between James Knight's and Joseph Clark's land and was on Part of Portion No.
8, Parish or Hay. The land had be(rn Lledicate<I on 5th July 1.882. The n~w
classroom was twenty (20) feet long by twelve (12) feet wide and was nine (9)