Page 274 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

297.

PAXT0 N SCH0 0 L

Mr. Watkins Gates of Francis Street, Paxton, on 30th December 1925,
cleared fifteen (15) trees adjacent to the school for £7.10.0. ($15.00). These
trees had been considered dangerous and a possible fire hazard. Mr. Gates
also erected a dividing fence between the neighbouring Presbyterian Church and
the school. For this work he was paid £30.0.0. ($60.00).

When school enrolments reached 110 pupils in May 1926, with ' a daily
average attendance of 96, and the school's staff of three (3) teachers working
in two (2) classrooms, the Education Department arratiged with Mr. D. Davies,
the 'Church Secretary' of Paxton Congregational Church, to rent the Church as
additional school accommodation. The building was leased from 19th May 1926,
at £1.10.0. ($3.00) per week rental. It was situated about one hundred (100)
yartjs from the school. Eleven (11) desks and eleven forms were sent by the
Department as temporary school furniture.

The Paxton Progress Associat~o9, on 10th July 1926, directed their

Secre~ary Mr. F.S. McLeish, to write to the Education Department seeking the

construction of a new school. The Department refused to erect a school but
agreed to make additions to the present building. The Education Department's
Building Section estimated the cost of the alterations at £1,249.0.0. ($2,498.00)
Contract No. 3652 authorised Mr. H.J. Kay of 30 Hewison Street Tighes Hill,
to perform the work for his contract price of £986.0.0. ($1,972.00). The
alterations were completed on 15th September 1927 and the Congregational Church
·Hall was vacated. New furniture was supplied at the school and the temporary
furniture supplied at the Church was returned to the Education Department's
furniture workshops.

During September 1927, a drinking water shortage at the school caused
a minor panic. Telegrams were exchanged between Mr. George Booth, Member of
Parliament, Mr. R. Fitzell, the School Headmaster, and the Education Department.
Results of the telegram exchanges were tha~ the Education Depart~ent authorised
the purchase of water from the Kearsley Shire Council.

On 12th April 1928, the local Paxton Progress Association was .granted
permission to conduct their meetings in the school buildings.