Page 249 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

272.

MURRAYS RUN SCHOOL

the teacher had stated that he was suffering from private grief after his wife's
recent death. Further, that his absence from school had been due to a fall
from his horse. The Department may have held some sympathy, but the punishment
and fine remained.

The Department of Public Instruction considered that the original
schoolhouse built by the local residents from donated materials was not to
the standards and requirements set by the Department. So, in late 1890 the
Department purchased one (1) acre from James Sternbeck. This was partly in
Portion 135 with the balance in Portion No. 18, Parish of Hay, and was part
of a thirty (30) acre property (see Government Gazette dated 23rd October 1890).

The Government Architect designed a new schoolhouse twenty (20) feet
long by sixteen (16) feet wide by nine (9) feet high which was also to have
a verandah. The building was to be of weatherboard construction with a
corrugated iron roof. A 400 gallon water storage tank was also to be sup?lied.
The Architect had estimated that the school building should cost £100.0.0.
($200.00). Mr. J.T. Chapman of Cessnock Village was the successful contractor
with his quote of £85.0.0. ($170.00). Before the building was completed,
Mr. Chapman agreed, for the payment of an additional sum of £15.0.0. ($30.00),
to line the structure. The new building was ready for occupancy on 15th
January 1891.

New school furniture was supplied and this included:-

Six (6) Desks Eight (8) feet long, on iron stands.

Six (6) Forms To match the desks.

One (1) Bookpress.

One (1) Austrian Chair.

The Department had forwarded the furniture by rail to Wyong Stati~n
at a cost of 14/3d. ($1.43) freight. Matthew Sternbeck was paid £1.0.6.
($2.06) for the cartage from Wyong to the Murrays Run School.

Because its materials had been donated by James Sternbeck's family,.