Page 41 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

36.

BELLBIRD S C H 0 0 L

Mr. W. Farnham, on 4th February, 1909, returned the petition
duly signed by the parents of children residing at Bellbird. These
were:-

Thomas Tattersall 4 children Church of England
John Westlake 2 children Presbyterian
William Radnidge Church of England
Daniel Murrell child Church of England
James Taylor child Church of England
Mrs. ? Mc Cormach child Roman Catholic
W.E. Hall 2 children· Roman Catholic
I.J. Currie 2 children Presbyterian
Mrs. A. Craft 2 children Church of England
W. Farnham 3 children Roman Catholic
G. Williams 2 children Church of England
2 children

On receipt of this petition the Education Department directed
Inspector Friend to examine and to furnish a report. On 2nd April, 1909
Inspector Friend gave this advice to his department:-

"I recommend that the children from the Bellbird area be
conveyed to the Cessnock School at this time, until the ·
likely centre of population at Bellbird be determined.
Mr. J.P. Doyle of Cessnock is willing to convey the children
at five (5) pence ($0.05¢) per day per child. The horse-
draw~ bus will leave Bellbird at 8.45 a.m. each day arriving .
at Cessnock Central School at 9.20 a.m. On the return
journey, it will leave the school at 4.00 p.m. I recommend
that the Department does not pay for children living on
the Cessnock side of O'Neill's Wine Shop".

Thus, following this report, the children of school-age

from Bellbird were transported to the school a: Cessnock by Mr. Joe

Doyle's coach. However, within twelve (12) months problems arose.