Page 349 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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380.

WESTON SCHOOL 5/18093 A
STATE ARCHIVES FILE NOS. 5118093 B
5/18094 A
5118094 B
5118095 A
5/18095 B

Soon after the year 1900, the Australian Agricultural Company commenced
to look for coal leases in the new developing areas of the Greta coal seams
on the South Maitland field. Professor Edgeworth David had written glowing
reports on the coal future in the region. At a meeting of the Australian
Agricultural Company held in Newcastle in April 1902, the shareholders were
advised that negotiations were almost completed for the Company to take over
the Hebblewhite's estate of 1,280 acres.

The Newcastle Herald ne wspaper in its issue of 3rd October 1902,
informed its readers that the "A.A." Company had by that date, some 2,500 acres
of coal on the South Maitland field to work. In addition to the Hebblewhite
Lease, it had obtained another large mining area from the Aberdare Collieries
of N.S.W. As at the date of this report, some 50 men were camped in tents
on this new "A.A." land, and development work was progressing.

James Weston and Jane Swanson subdivided their lands to commence the
pri';ate township of "Weston". The Department of Public Instruction, with its
recent experiences at Stanford Merthyr and Pelaw Main mining villages, was alert
to the needs of a possible school in this new township. With this in view
the Department, on 25th July 1903, purchased an area of two (2) acres 0 roods
three (3) perches from James Weston and Jane Swanson. The Solicitors handling
the legal arrangements were R.W. Thompson & Son of Maitland. The contract
price was £100.0.0. ($200.00). This price was for that area consisting of
Lots No. 13 to 22 inclusive in Section No. 18, Private Township of Weston, Parish
of St3nford, County of Northumberland, and was situated between what is now
Fifth 3nd Sixth Streets.

Tenders for the erection of a new school at Weston were called in
Ma y 1904. The building was to be a single classroom with a small hatroom and