Page 338 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

369.

SWEETMANS CREEK SCHOOL

match the resident's contribution. On 8th April 1878, the Under Secretary
of the Department of Public Instruction wrote to Jacob Lumby that the
Department approved the establishment of the school in the terms of their
Inspector's recommendation, and that aid would be granted.

However, when the local residents had not advised the carrying out
of their part of the conditions, another letter was sent by the Department
on 25th July 1878. This too was followed by yet another reminder dated
29th August 1879. Evidently, the conditions were met because John Shanahan
of Branxton was appointed as teacher in September 1878.

The Archives files do not indicate the location of this school,
although a notation in their records dated 5th May 1883, expresses the
Department's opinion of the poor quality and standard of the building of
the Sweetmans Creek School. It states tha~ the roof leaked and the slabs
:--. :=.~ shrunk. Steps were taken to alter this situation. On 7th July 1883,
Jac:Jb Lumby made an area of his land availa'Jle at "a peppercorn a year rental".
On 3rd December 1883, Harold Slack, a Sweet~ans Creek farmer, bought materials
to juild an improved school house. The str~cture was of a long, rectangular
sha~e with a gabled roof covered with sheets of galvanised corrugated iron.
The structure had been built from hardwood timbers and clad with weatherboards.
Mr. Slack advised the Chief Inspector of the Department of Public Instruction,
that two (2) men had built this school house in nine (9) days and that there
was no wage claim because it had been done 'Jy local voluntary labour.

Inspector T. Dwyer considered the school to be cold and draughty.
He therefore arranged on 5th June 1885, for Robert Daly of Wollombi to line the
building. Forty (40) yards of calico was used to cover the c~acks in the board
walls. For supplying the calico and the use of his labour, Mr. Daly was paid
£le.s.o. 1$36.soi.

On 14th December 1886, the shrin~age in the floor slabs was repai~ed
at a cost of £2.5.0. ($4.50). C. Johnsto~e of ~ollombi, gave the school house
a ~ainting internally and externally, on 7th September 1888. His payment was
£~.J.O. ($10.00).