Such a fortunate condition exists in connection with New South Wales. Here and there off the mainland are small reefs and ridges, but, taken on the whole, all these danger spots are adequately covered, so that the State has not been faced with searching problems of a technical or financial character in this connection. The State boasts only two “rock” lighthouses, and these obstructions are large enough to be called “islands.” The one is South Solitary Island, off the coast north of Sydney; the other is Montague Island, to the south of the port. On the other hand, the mainland is very well patrolled, some thirty lights being scattered between Point Danger and Cape Howe, the respective northern and southern sea-limits of the country. Although the light-keepers upon the rocks may consider themselves somewhat isolated, yet their plight is enviable as compared with that of some of their comrades in other parts of the world. At Montague Island the three keepers and their families are housed in comfortable cottages in close proximity to their ward, and they maintain a small farm, including a horse, goats, well-stocked gardens, and so forth. The keepers on South Solitary Island used to be able to vary the monotony of their daily or nightly round by indulgence in exciting sport. This assumed the form of rabbit trapping and hunting, as the island was overrun with these animals. One form of game must have become somewhat nauseating in time upon the menu of the keepers, but this diversion is now a thing of the past. A mysterious disease appeared among the rabbits, and its ravages were so devastating that within a short time Montague Island knew them no more. The lighthouses of New South Wales deserve distinction in one direction. As specimens of architecture they are magnificent pieces of work, so that what the towers lack in romance they make up in attractiveness. The most imposing is the Macquarie tower, or Sydney lighthouse, mounting guard over the harbour. The first beacon was erected upon this site as far back as 1816, thereby rendering it the first lighthouse in the State, and it was fitted with an oil light, while one or two of the English lights were still open coal fires. In 1883 it was decided to modernize the lighting apparatus, so that a more powerful beam might be thrown. Electricity was the illuminant selected, the machinery for the generation of the requisite current being designed for installation in the original tower. But three-quarters of a century’s exposure to the elements had rendered this building somewhat too weak to carry the requisite heavy lenses and machinery, so a new tower was projected. The old light was kept going while its successor sprang up alongside; when the latter was completed, the oil light in the famous old tower was extinguished for ever and the building demolished.