Page 84 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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He estimated the cost at £450.0.0 ($900.00). In December 1875 however,
he reported that the Government Grant of land for the school was
unsuitable because two watercourses ran through it. He recommended
the use of two acres on the southern side of the Roman Catholic Church.
A rough sketch in his letter shows the site as being on the road from
Cessnock to Branxton, between the road and the cemetery.

Meanwhile, the Council of Education had asked the Government
Architect to prepare a sketch plan of the proposed school buildings
and the teacher's residence. He returned a plan to the Council in
January 1876, estimating the cost at £800.00 ($1,600.00). The school
was to consist of a large schoolroom, capable of accommodating fifty-
two (52) children as well as a small classroom. The residence
was to be of four rooms with an outside k~tchen. The buildings were
to be of weatherboard with shingled roofs.

In April 1876 the Council decided to modify the plans.
The small classroom was omitted from the school and the outside kitchen
from the residence, one of the other rooms being converted for use
as the kitchen. With these modifications, tenders were invited.

The lowest tender was for £651 .0.0 ($1,302.00). This was
submitted by two men working in partnership. The Gover;.ment Architect
had a very poor opinion of these two as tradesmen. He reported that
by their inefficiency and desultory manner, they had exceeded the
specified contract time on a particular job. They had been unable
to cut the rafters to the required roof pitch, until he himself had
shown them how to do so. Moreover, when the building was erected,
he found it to be nine (9) inches out of the perpendicular. He regarded
these two as merely bush carpenters.

Fresh . tenders were sought. Only one was rece~~ed from
Mr. J. Pr~tchard for an amount of £800.0.0 ($1 ,600.00). This price
was considered too high.