Page 85 - J Delaney - City of Cessnock Education and Schools

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Again tenders were called for the third time. Once more the
lowest tender of £737.0.0 ($1 ,474.00) was defeated, because the inspector
reported that this tenderer "appeared to be a rough carpenter of unsteady
habits". The inspector added that a building this tenderer had contracted
to erect for the Bishop of England was so insecure, that it had to be
rebuilt.

The next highest tender of £745.10.0 ($1,491 .00) was by Mr. R.
Cook of East Maitland. The building, which was thirty two (32) feet by
sixteen feet, was completed and occupied by the teacher on 1st October 187'7.
The school was closed from 9th to 25th February 1881, whilst the building
was lined and the interior painted, as this evidently had not been done during
the construction. During July 1881, Mr. F.J. Woodbury built a weathershed.
The Department had allowed £15.0.0 ($30.00) as a maximum amount for this work.

During the 1880's there were more refusals by parents to pay school
fees. These parents supported their refusal by pointing out that the 'Public
Instruction Act 1880' was for "free, compulsory and secular" schooling. The
school attendance officer paid a special visit to Cessnock to convince the
parents they were interpreting the phrase too literally.

On 4th May 1882, Mr. Henry Brettell was appointed as teacher at
Cessnock. He was previously at a small school near Taree. In order to reach
his new post, he had to travel from Taree to Sydney by sea, from Sydney to
Newcastle by sea, to Maitland by train, from Maitland to Cessnock by coach.
In all the journey took a week.

On 28th April 1884, Mr. Charles Mansfield succeeded Mr. Brettell.
He soon had a garden and erected dividing fences between the playground and
the residence. He also sought ornamental plants from the Botanical Gardens.
In his request he advised that - "the soil is ratl1er poor and the situation
dry, I would suggest if the grant is allowed, it should include twelve (12)
pines and a . few roses".