LXXXIV. NEW SOUTH WALES LIGHTHOUSES. 



the Governor and staff, accompanied by His Honor the Lieu- 

 tenant Governor, the Judge Advocate, and Captain Gill, the 

 Principal Engineer, proceeded to the South Head where (every- 

 thing being in readiness for the occasion) His Excellency was 

 pleased to lay the foundation stone of a most useful building in- 

 tended for the several purposes of a signal and lighthouse, and a 

 guard house and barracks for a small military detachment. The 

 centre of this building, we understand, is to be raised 65 feet 

 above the level of the eminence on which it is placed, and will 

 form a square pyramidal tower, on the top of which a light is to 

 be placed for the direction of vessels approaching the coast, which 

 from its elevation will be seen at an immense distance at sea, and 

 be an object handsome to behold from the town of Sydney. The 

 wings of the building are to form the guard house and barracks. 

 Huge blocks of excellent stone are prepared for the edifice, and 

 afford the strongest assurance that it will prove a permanent 

 security for all vessels that may approach the coast. To this 

 building which opens the prospect of a monument for future ages 

 to contemplate with pride, His Excellency gave the name of 

 Macquarie Tower, and when considered with a view to the com- 

 mercial interests of this colony, it cannot fail of proving a most 

 valuable and important acquisition." A correction of the des- 

 cription appeared in the Gazette of 20th July, 1816, and ran as 

 follows: — "The centre of this handsome building is to be raised 

 65 feet above the eminence on which it is placed, and will form a 

 square base or pedestal with a circular tower crowned with a 

 frieze, on which will be carved the four winds in alto relievo distri- 

 buting their good and evil qualities from their drapery as they 

 appear to fly round the tower, above which will be a cornice and 

 lantern with revolving light, the whole forming an appropriate 

 capital to the tower. On the inside is intended to be a geometri- 

 cal stone staircase leading up to the lantern, and two basso relievos 

 will be on the pedestal. The wings of the building are to form 

 the guard house and barrack." 



The building was designed and executed under the superinten- 

 dence of Captain John Gill, Acting Engineer; Francis Howard 



