Page 70 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

77.

B UC HANAN S C H 0 0 L

close and the Department of Public Instruction agreed.

On 6th January 1899, a wash-house and bathroom were added to
the teacher's residence. The contractor was James Cook of East Maitland.
His quote was £98.5.0 (£196.50).

In January 1900, the Local Member of the Legislative Assembly,
Mr. Ja'Tles Brunker, applied to the Minister for pennission for the parents
to have a social in the school building after the 'Australia Day' picnic.
"It will be a simple and quiet entertainment and the residents of the
locality will be careful not to overstep the lines of prudence". Permission
was granted on condition that there was no dancing.

The dreaded 'white ant' problem had its effect at the school
despite the fears of the early architect and her insistence of brick
construction. Extensive repairs had to be made in 1905 at a cost of
£70.0.0 ($140.00).

On 23rd October 1910, the old 1850 school site of three (3) roods
thirty (30) perches, being part of Portion No. 50 Parish of Stanford,
was sold for £15.0.0 ($30.00) to R. Logan and J. Carlton, a firm of
Solicitors. They owned the surrounding land and wished to lease the
mining rights to a coal mining firm. However, the Crown reserved to itself
all minerals under the school site.

Painting and repairs to the school were made by.Joseph Head
of Winship Street, Hamilton on 4th May, 1915. His remuneration was £153.18.0
($307.80). On 4th December 1925, at the request of the Tarro Council,
the Department of Education Works Staff performed major repairs to both
the Buchanan School and residence. These costs were assessed at £388.6.3
(£776.63).

On 18th September 1944, the weathershed was considered to have
reached a dangerous condition and was demolished by the Department's
repair staff at a cost of £61 .8.9 ($122.89). General repairs to Buchanan