About the middle of April, arrangements were made with Mr Charles Neilson, a builder in Aberdeen, to select granite masons for the works at the Skerryvore, as it was expected that the operation of dressing stones for the Tower would be begun in the ensuing summer; and it was also obvious, that their services would be required in excavating seats for the supports of the Barrack-house on the Rock. Masons were accordingly selected, and engaged on the terms stated in the following letter to Mr James Scott, the Foreman, who was sent to Aberdeen to assist in choosing the men:--“Although it is difficult to fix the precise number of men who may be required, during the progress of the works, as this must, in some measure, depend upon the produce of the quarries at Hynish, and of those to be opened in Mull, you may, in the mean time, engage thirty masons or stone-cutters, twelve quarriers, and three or four smiths, for two years of certain employment. With regard to the rate of wages to be paid to the men, this will, in some measure, depend upon the demand for the season at Aberdeen; it is, at all events, expected, that they will on no account exceed the rate of 3s. 10d. per day for masons, and 2s. 6d. per day for quarriers, as paid last season during the long day, or from the 1st of February till 31st of October; and for the short day during the remaining three months, 3s. for the masons, and 2s. for the quarriers, from 1st November till 31st January. “It is intended that subsistence money shall be paid to such of the families or relatives of the workmen as may require it; and that their wages shall be fully settled monthly, deducting the subsistence money advanced to their relatives. A Store will be kept at the works by the Lighthouse Board, from which provisions will be served out at stated periods, to be fixed by the storekeeper; and these provisions shall be sold to the workmen at the cost prices at which such stores are laid in. Barrack accommodation or lodgings, with cooking, will also, as formerly, be allowed to the men free of expense.” ~Progress of the outfit for the season’s operations.~