Obituaries Australia

James Barnet, 1900

National Archives of Australia, C4076:HN10003A

Mr. James Johnstone Barnet, F.R.I.B.A., died at his residence, Braeside, Forest Lodge, early yesterday morning at the age of 78. Born at Arbroath, Scotland, in 1827, Mr. Barnet was educated at the High School of his native town, and afterwards proceeded to London, where he served five years' apprenticeship to a builder. A term of instruction in drawing and design under W. Dyce, R.A., was followed by his studying architecture under C. J. Richardson, F.R.I.B.A. In 1854 Mr. Barnet arrived in Sydney, and soon afterwards was appointed clerk of works at the Sydney University, then in progress. In 1860 he joined the Colonial Architect's Department as clerk of works, and two years later he was appointed acting Colonial Architect, and in January, 1865, succeeded Mr. Alexander Dawson as Colonial Architect, a position which he retained until his retirement from the service in 1890. Amongst the buildings carried out by him were the General Post-office, the Colonial Secretary's, Public Works, and Lands buildings, the Museum, Custom-house, Public Library, medical school at the Sydney University, and numerous gaols, lighthouses (including the present Sydney lighthouse), and other buildings throughout the State. Mr. Barnet has left a grown-up family of sons and daughters. One son, the Rev. Donald Barnet, is stationed at Kiama; Mr. James Barnet is an architect; and another son is in the Public Works Department. Mr. Barnet was hale and hearty up to about a month ago, when he was attacked with a bronchial affection from which he had not strength to recover. Deceased was a prominent member of the Highland Society and the Zoological Society for many years.