Page 275 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

298.

P A X T 0 N S CH0 0 L

The Department of Education works staff on 16th August 1928, on
Authority of Order No. 3062, at a charge assessed at £40.0.0. ($80.00), completed
the clearance of thirty five (35) stumps standing in an area of l~ acres in
the only partly cleared playground. A further acre of dense scrub adjoining
the playground was also cleared. Small trees and wattle trees were allowed
to stand~

Mr. F. Owens, Secretary of Paxton Parents and Citizens Association,
on 20th June 1929, requested the erection of a weathershed. The Education
Department refused the request on the basis of the school's excellent verandah
area of 104 feet long by 8 feet wide, and its two lobbies each 15 feet by 7
feet. A further request from the Paxton Parents and Citizens Association two
months later (dated 12th 'August 1929), for the school to be connected to the
newly laid ·Hunter District Water Board town water mains was also refused.
Less than a month later the Education Department's repair staff were engaged
in clearing spouting and gutters.

Teacher Robert Fitzell, on 17th June 1931, reported receipt of .
twenty four (24) new dual desks to replace ten (10) old-fashioned long desks
and ten (10) long forms. Paxtcn Baptist Church indicated a wish to purchase
the old desks and forms, but Teacher Fitzellwas directed to forward the old
school furniture to the Education Department's store at Wickham.

Early in 1935, Mr. A.H. Phillips, Secretary of Paxton's May Day Sports
Committee, sought permission from the Education Department to be allowed to
use the school playground and verandah to hold a May Day Sports carnival and
picnic. The appl~cation was sanctioned by the Department.

When the Education Department's work staff, on 21st May 1935, connecte<
the school to the Hunter District Water Board's town water mains supply, the
cost was an assessed charge of £12.1.5. ($24.15). The Paxton Parents and
Citizens Association, with the Department's approval, converted one of the old
water storage tanks into a coal and wood bin. Mr. D. O'Hearn purchased th~
remaining tanks at a cost of 151~ ($1.50) each.