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Legislative Council.
In the Legislative Council to-day Sir Thomas Mackenzie asked the Attorney-General whether the time had not arrived for the erection of an automatic light on Barrett's Reef, at the entrance to Wellington Harbour, in order that greater safety may be given to navigation. He said that some forty masters of steamers had petitioned to have a light placed on the reef. The reef was exceedingly dangerous in foggy weather.
In reply, Sir Francis Bell, Attorney - General, said Barrett's Reef was within the limits of Wellington Harbour, and the question of placing a light on the reef was a matter for the Harbour Board to determine.
According to a return dated 15th May, 1858, the total cost up to that date, including the salary and passage of Mr. Edward Wright, who had been sent out to superintend the erection, amounted to £2,554. Mr. Wright reported on the same date that the cost of erecting the lighthouse, if landed at Fitzroy Bay, would be £750; if landed inside the harbour, two miles and three-quarters from Pencarrow, the cost would be £2,000, exclusive of landing the material on the beach at the selected point. In a return to the General Assembly, 1867, the total cost of Pencarrow to date was stated to be £6,422. The light was exhibited from the 1st January, 1859. It was described as being of the second order, catadioptric system, with eclipses at intervals of two minutes. The cause of the change to a fixed light from September of the same year has not been traced; it was probably some trouble with the mechanism. The first keeper of the light was Mrs. Bennett, widow of the first keeper of the temporary light, with W. Lyell as assistant. In the 1865 report of the Marine Board Engineer, Mr. Balfour, Pencarrow is referred to: “While engaged in a survey of the strait we happened to pass Pencarrow at night, and, as the light was very poor, we landed to examine it. We found everything in good order except the light, which, though very white and clear, was miserably low, being only 1 ½ in. from the burner to the top, whereas the standard height is from 3 ½ in. to 4 in.” He suggested that the services of the trained light-keeper who had been brought out by the Provincial Council of Otago should be secured in order to examine and adjust the apparatus and instruct the keepers. In 1867 the Engineer reported that the roof of the keepers' cottage had been blown off during a gale. He also suggested that a better path to the lighthouse be formed, and that a store be erected on the beach, also one on the hill, which could be used as a workshop. During that year £298 was expended, so probably his suggestions were agreed to. A new set of lamps were installed during the year 1869–70. The Marine Engineer, on the 18th June, 1869, reported that the buildings were much decayed. During the following year new dwellings for the keepers were erected at a cost of £764.
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In 1864–66 the Marine Act of 1863, which imposed duties on the provinces in connection with lights and beacons, was amended. The Marine Board was abolished, and the Provincial powers in connection with lights and beacons withdrawn, the powers being vested in the Governor, who was also given authority to purchase any of the lights and beacons from the Provincial Governments. It would probably be at this time that the management of Pencarrow passed to the Marine Department.
In 1864 the Chamber of Commerce urged that a light be placed on Point Gordon, but the President of the Marine Board pointed out that Somes Island would be a better position, therefore it had been decided to erect a lighthouse there. It was erected and maintained by the Provincial Council until the abolition of the provinces, in 1875, when the Marine Department took over the responsibility and expense until a few years ago, when they were passed on to the Harbour Board. The light was first shown on the 17th February, 1866. It was manufactured by Messrs Chance Bros. and Co., and described as being catadioptric, of the fourth order, showing a fixed white light in mid-channel, a fixed red light on the western and a fixed green light on the eastern shore. Keepers' dwellings were erected in October, 1865, at a cost of £695. Some trouble was caused at the outset owing to the divisional lights not working satisfactorily. Mr. W. Lyell, transferred from Pencarrow, was the first keeper, with D. Susans as assistant.
Colza-oil was used by New Zealand lighthouses until 1872. The Marine Department report of that year suggested a change to kerosene, which would result in more brilliant lighting at a reduced cost. In 1876 the report gave details of the illuminating-power of kerosene. In 1877 Pencarrow and Tiritiri were the only lights using colza. In 1881 kerosene lighting was completely installed. In 1878 Pencarrow consumed 510 gallons of colza, in 1881 734 gallons of kerosene. During the financial year 1921–22 867 gallons were used. It may be of interest to note that the cost of oils and wicks in 1857 was: Lamp-oil, 10s. per gallon; sperm, 5s. 10d. per gallon; cotton wick, 10s. per pound.
According to a return, the Government secured the freehold of the lighthouse reserve, consisting of 69 acres, from the Maori in 1873, although in 1841 it was notified that the Government has reserved land at Pencarrow for public service.