the island [Bathurst Point], showing whether the vessel is about to enter the channel North or South of Rottnest Island., the pilot will then proceed onboard. A vessel arriving at Rottnest Island at night, and requiring a pilot, should show her position by lights, blue lights or rockets, or by firing guns, when the lightkeeper will give notice to the pilot, who will board the vessel as quickly as possible." Repairs to the tower were made in 1879 and a new lens from England was ordered the following year. These works totalling £100 were approved in the Legislative Council in 1880. In March 1881 a new first order dioptric lamp was fitted and in 1887 a locally made revolving apparatus was installed. However, the Harbour and Light Department described the light as being "behind the times". A first-order holophotal lantern with an estimated cost of £3,900 was ordered in 1891. The same year £6,000 was placed in the Government's budget estimates for a new lighthouse, which had been under consideration for some time. New tower Tenders for the new tower were accepted in October 1894 for £3,237 4s. 9d. from Messrs Parker and Rhodes, and construction commenced in March 1895. The foundation stone was laid on 25 April 1895 by the Premier of Western Australia, Sir John Forrest and included the placement of a glass bottle in a niche in the stone, containing newspapers, coins and copies of plans of the new lighthouse. It was designed by British engineer William Douglass with construction overseen by the colony's engineer-in-chief, C. Y. O'Connor. Douglass also designed the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, which was built between 1895 and 1896. Construction of the new tower alongside the original lighthouse was completed in 1896, and on the occasion of its opening on 17 March The West Australian newspaper reported: "The light is a first order Holophotal Revolving Light of 920 millimetres focal distance constructed by Messrs. Chance Bros. and Coy. Ltd, Birmingham, England, to the order of the government...The pedestal is square and contains the actuating clock with accompanying gearing. Hand rotating gear was also supplied. The clock weighs 5cwt., the rate of descent being 10 feet per second. The clock will run for a period of approximately three hours without rewinding...The optical apparatus consists of eight panels each subtending a horizontal angle of 45 degrees. The vertical angle of the lenses is 57 degrees, of