Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01547:front:0:p12
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2020L01547
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 31990–34796

not until 1877 that funds were allocated by the New South Wales Government to carry out the project.10

Design

 James Barnet, colonial architect for New South  Wales, was placed in charge of designing the plans  for a light at Montague Island. Barnet, alongside prospective tenders, visited the Island and assisted in

 selecting the best location for a lightstation. His blueprints, which were created following this visit, featured a granite tower 12-m in height with tapering walls and one upper platform.

Construction

 Tenders for the construction of a light at Montague Island were called October 1878. The initial successful contractor, J Musson and Co., had  their offer of £13,900 accepted for an estimated 15-month construction period. The contract was signed on the 5 February 1879.

 Work commenced with Mr John Kelly acting as foreman of works on behalf of the government, and Mr James Peters for the contractors.
 However, poor management and inadequate materials hindered work running smoothly on-  site. The lighthouse was to stand on a large boulder overlooking the Island, and Barnet strictly instructed the boulder not to be touched. Contrary
 to these express orders, the contractor fired a shot at the boulder which detached a large mass and caused the position of the Tower to be altered by

   9     Brooks, G., and Assoc. NPWS Lighthouses (2001), pg. 4.

   10   Brooks, G., Assoc. NPWS Lighthouses (2001), pg. 4.

 several feet. Following this, J Musson and Co. gave up the contract. Tenders were called once more in July of 1879, however no successful contracts were secured.11

 Fresh tenders were called again in 1880 following renewed interest from the government and WH Jennings was deemed the successful contractor for £16,950. On Barnet's blueprints for the
 tower, (See Figure 17) the names of the original contractors can be seen crossed out and replaced by WH Jennings.

 The foundation stone was laid on St Patricks   Day 1881. Jennings recorded the progress of the construction:

   The top of the island, in the neighbourhood of the lighthouse and keepers' quarters, presents a busy appearance. Every available piece of ground at all level is occupied by masons, carpenters, plasterers, plumbers, blacksmiths, and their assistants. There is a tramway from the site of the buildings to the landing place, where a powerful crane is fixed, and moorings are made fast to the rocks and to buoys which are secured by heavy anchors in the sea. The landing of goods and materials is done quickly, 60,000 bricks, 100 casks cement, and 75 sheep having been landed in less than 24 hours. The lighthouse will be a solid and elegant structure….

   …..[the walls are] 3 feet 8 inches thick at base,
   tapering to 2 feet 2 inches….

   …..the quarters