Drinking water was obtained from a nearby spring. Suitability of the drinking water wasn’t the problem but the water carriers could be! Often they returned to the schoolhouse soaked, from having - intentionally or unintentionally fallen into the water. The teacher either had to see that the student was placed near enough to the stove to dry out - as well as possible. Or the teacher could send the student home to change clothing. This would be a welcome respite from “book- learning”, a chilling thought for a winter morning!! The women of the District were very dis— satisfied with the situation and proposed in the early 40’s that a proper well be dug. The motion was defeated after some wrangling over who had a vote. This effectively kept the women out of the decision. However, a few years later, as more women took an active part in the Annual Meetings of the school, they proposed to pay for the digging of a well IF the school was moved to a more suitable site.

Much controversy erupted over this proposal but the suggestion won enough support to be passed at the Annual Meeting of June, 1947. More disputes arose over the legality of the vot- ers. A Special Meeting was held on August 7, 1947. Another Special Meeting was called for September 17, 1947, when 41 ratepayers met to again support the issue. A report was read from the Provincial Government stating “the Government would pay up to $400.00 for improve- ments made on the two—room school providing District would equal the amount”. Provision was also made for “equalization on other costs which would be incurred in the re-location”. A third vote was taken at this meeting and the motion to move the school to a new site “carried 25 for and 16 against”.

One acre of land, located next to the Masonic Hall, was purchased from Mr. and Mrs. James E. Hiscott for $150.00. Research and the deed cost $7.00 and was registered November 17, 1947, for $2.00. The total cost of relocating and repairing the school was $1139.11, with the Department of Education paying 40% to 50% of this total. To help defray the cost, all prop- erty owners and payers of poll tax were required to pay $10.00 each. This was payable over a two year period. A decision was made regarding the former property which stated that the “deed was to be searched for the old school lot and if found then (it) may be disposed of as Trustees saw fit”. When the new highway was built to New Glasgow in 1950, the Provincial Government expropriated the land, and paid the school Trustees $50.00 for the clay fill taken from the lot. A further motion was passed at the Annual meeting of 1953, when it carried that “the fence be repaired on the old school site; (by the District, cost $26.00) this fence to be kept in repair by Blois MacEwen and his successors”.

Today, only an unattractive piece of land remains to remind one of what was a “wonderful seat of learning”.

The relocated building was wired for electricity in 1955 at a cost of $184.50. This amount was equally divided between the District and the members of the Women’s Institute. Meter charges for a number of years were also equally divided between the Institute members and the District.

A new hardwood floor was laid in part of the school in 1934. The teachers must have been responsible for raising the money for this improvement. The record states “a vote of thanks was

moved for the Teachers for the part they had taken in getting up a play for the hardwood floor for the upper room”. This floor remains the same today. The lower room was tiled in 1960 at a

cost of $386.88, with the Government grant being $181.62.

The Stanley Bridge School #91 officially closed in June 1976. It is presently owned by Georgene Enman, of Granville, who operates a Craft shop during the summer months.

125