Donated by Nina Avery on behalf of the great-great-grand daughter of Henry Thomas Cooper
Board of Works Office
St. John’s Newfoundland
29 April 1895
Hy Thos Cooper of Inglewood N.W. Arm Random
I am instructed to inform you that the Government has been pleased to appoint you as Keeper of the recently created lighthouse on Random Id.
The service is one requiring the greatest attention and watchfulness. The good or bad appearance of the light depends very much on the care taken by the Keeper in having his lamp thoroughly clean and properly trimmed and the house and ? as bright as possible. The lamp is to be lighted shortly before sunset, turned up gradually and carefully watched until the flame is as large as possible without smoke. The light is to be extinguished at day light. You will have to do the painting required and generally to keep the station clean and in as good order as possible doing any work you may be directed to do.
Your pay as keeper will be four hundred dollars per annum paid quarterly and one hundred and sixty dollars with which to provide yourself with a fit and sufficient assistant. You may select whom you please, but you will advise me of his name, age and whether he can write or not.
J.T. Nevill
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Uploaded January 2016