Page 339 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

370.

SWEETMANS CREEK SCHOOL

During 1888, there had been a number of petitions for and against
the quality of teaching by Mrs. Margaret Lumby. Evidently the Department
of Public Instruction had been satisfied because she had remained in the
position until December 1889 after having taught at the school for a little
over ten (10) years. The archives files show that Inspector T. Dwyer coaxed
Mrs. M. Lumby to resign and she was replaced by Miss Sarah Morton.

Thomas Smith of Nerone Creek, on 12th July 1889, added a verandah
to the front of the school. He also built two lavatories. His quote had
been £23.11.0 ($47.10).

Four (4) acres of Portion No. 8, Parish of Corrabaree, which was
part of Jacob Lumby's original grant of one hundred (100) acres and on which

the school stood, was resumed on 17th April 1891. Compensation of tso.o.o

($100.00) was paid to Richard Lur.2y. The Department of Public Instruction
i!T:rnedic:.tely ar!"anged to enclose tr::s four (4) c:.cre site with a suitable fence.
Solomon Morton of Millfield wc:.s pc.id 4/- ($0.40¢) a rod and he completed the
project on 9th June 1891.

On 16th August 1897, SclGmon Morton was paid £8.9.0 ($16.90) for
me.king some minor repairs and re-painting the school. The following year
on 7th November 1898, he was engc:.ged to make more major improvements. The
archives file does not disclose his payment. The school was closed for one
week to allow the following work to be performed:-

1. Construct a ~ew chimney and fireplace in the school house.
2. Line the classroom with Gunnedah Pine.
3. Repair the sc~ool house weather~oards.
4. Build a rail ~ence along the verandah front.

Reg. Dougherty of Wollcm~i, on 12th March 1902, was paid £7.17.9
($15.791 for his labour in re-flooring the lavatories, in erecting new front
steps and for removing some trees considered to be dangerous. On 12th Mar~h
1905, William Craft of Millfield was engaged fer £7.0.0 ($14.00) to close
up some old slab timbers, for renewing the ridge capping and for erecting
hc:.t pegs on the verc:.ndah.