Page 281 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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304.

PAYNES CROSSING SCHOOL

lavatories .. William Craft of Millfield, on 14th December 1896, erected a
verandah twenty four (24) feet long by six (6) feet wide. His quote had been
£31.15.0. ($63.50).

Owendale Provisional School was situated some eight (8) kilometers
(5 miles) on the Singleton side of Wollombi. When Owendale School was closed
on 20th December 1917, the furniture and school material were sent to Paynes
Crossing School. Paynes Crossing School had been using 'bush houses' made
for Easter picnics as sun shelters, but these were of little use in rainy weather.
The school had b.een built on the side of a sloping hill. On one side · the
building was six (6) feet high above the ground level. Inspector J. Pitt
recommended that by using the Owendale School seating underneath the Paynes
Crossing School building, an alternative economical weathershed could be
arranged. This course was adopted.

John Burgess renewed guttering, spouting and down piping on 29th
Octcber 1897. For this work he was paid £3.5.0. ($6.50). A washhouse and
a copper were added to the school residence on 6th April 1898. Mr. Robert
Slack of Wollombi, who had built the washhouse, ,had submitted a tender of £20.0.0.
($40.00). An additional bedroom was constructed and completed by John Burgess
on 2nd October 1899. His quote had · been £51.ll.O. · ($103.10). The following
year, on 3rd March 1900, Mr. Burgess, for a sum of £5.10.0. ($11.00) supplied
a third water storage tank .and stand.

On 25th March 1907, Teacher Harold Slack repeated his previous
application . of 28th November 1906, for the residence to be supplied with a new
stove. He pointed out that the stove was used for baking bread and was currently
causing great inconvenience. The records do not show if the Department made
an inspection. However, on 26th April 1907, Joseph Head of Lambton
was authorised by Contract No. 178 to make repairs to both the school and
residence. Repairs to the residence included the supply of both a new bath
and a new stove. The residence was also canvas lined. The quote price
i~cluding the work at the school had been £192.2.6. ($384.26). Teacher Harold
Slack received a rent allowance for occupying another house whilst the repairs
were effected. The re-construction received some set backs. Some materials