page_title: Richard Roach Jewell
section_title: Superintendent of Public Works
hierarchical_section_title: Richard Roach Jewell / Biography / Superintendent of Public Works
caption_attribution_description: Pensioner Barracks, Perth, Western Australia
context_page_description: Richard Roach Jewell was an architect who designed many of the important public buildings in Perth during the latter half of the nineteenth century. He was employed to supervise many major building projects around England, churches in Bristol, Cardiff, Clifton, Eye, Horsley and Stroudswater. As well as churches he also supervised construction of Stanstead College, a military prison in Gosport and fortifications at Portland Castle and Southsea Castle. He was also employed as a clerk of works in the offices of Sir Charles Barry.
context_section_description: Jewell's duties initially included overseeing repairs of buildings, roads and bridges, and supervising the construction of the boys' schools in Perth and Fremantle. He was soon given the task of designing major buildings such as Perth Gaol and the court-house.  Jewell was said to have worked hard and long into the night with his book-keeping duties.  In 1853 he wrote to Governor Fitzgerald:
  I have the honour to submit for the consideration and approval off His Excellency the Governor that he will be pleased to grant an allowance for candles used in writing the Public accounts done after office hours, as it is impossible to get the same performed during the day without neglecting other duties...
  With the arrival of 300 convicts and ticket of leave persons, Perth had the labour necessary to commence building many substantial projects. The first of these that Jewell worked on were the Claisebrook Abattoirs, of which only drawings survive, and the Colonial School on St Georges Terrace that now houses the National Trust. The Colonial School was built in two stages, the first being completed in 1854 and two wings being added in 1868 giving it a rough crucifix form. To provide for the convicts, Jewell designed the Perth Gaol in 1854. All of these building utilised limestone carted by barges from quarries at Rocky Bay.
  In about November 1854, he also designed Holy Trinity Church, York, which is in brick and of Victorian Romanesque design, and is still standing.
caption: Pensioners' Barracks in 1905 designed by Jewell in 1863
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