Page 248 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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MURRAYS RUN SCHOOL

feet high. The schoolhouse building material and school furniture had been
provided by James Sternbeck's family. Matthew Sternbeck had made an offer
to the Department of Public Instruction to fence the schoolground with a tender
of 3/9d. ($0.39) per rod plus the supply of a gate for £1.5.0. ($2.50). The
Department's Inspector recommended that the fencing should be stood over.

When .the daily average attendance at Murrays Run School reached
twenty four (24) pupils on 19th November 1882, the Department of Public
Instruction raised the status of the school to that of a 'Public School'.

John Goldsmith of Wollombi, on 19th January 1887, submitted a tender
of £9.0.0. ($18.00) to carry out some renovations to the school teacher's
residence at Murrays Run. The specifications set out the following
requirements:-

1. To put roof in thorough repair.
2. To take down defective slabs and renew with slabs

of good condition.
3. To take floor slabs up and put same in thorough

repair.
4. To purchase and fit a small 'Colonial' oven and to

stone the fireplace.
5. To put up a partition.
6. To repair doors and windows.
7. To plaster and paper the house inside; to whitewash

outside.
8. To make a drain at the rear of the premises.

The Department accepted Mr. Goldsmit~'s tender.

Teacher Mr. Stuart Black, was accused of misconduct on 12th O~tober
1888. Following an inquiry, the De;artment of Public Instruction found him
guilty of intemperance and he was fi;.~d a weeks' pay. This had followed some
local information given to the Depar:~ent's Inspector that Mr. Black had been
absent from school and spending long periods in the Laguna Inn. In his reply