The following in an extract from the Cyclopedia of Fiji.
THE late MR. JOHN WISHART, Sen., was born at Stromness, Orkney Islands, in September, 1835, and resided there till about twenty years of age. He then went to Victoria, and worked on the gold-fields for some time, shortly afterwards commencing business as contractor. In 1865 he left Victoria for South Australia, where he resided until he came to Fiji, in April, 1901. Since commencing business he had by himself and with partners carried out large works of varied descriptions the principal being in South Australia. These include the second section of the Intercolonial railway, from Mount Lofty to Nairne. This is a heavily-constructed line passing through the ranges, and having one tunnel and four large iron bridges. This line is twenty-two miles long, and cost about £150,000. Iron railway bridges at Hamley and Morphett Street, Adelaide, and the Robinson swing bridge, Port Adelaide were also built under the supervision of the late Mr. Wishart, as well as the iron bridges over the Torrens, near the City, also at Frome, Hindmarsh, and Hackney. Larg’s Bay pier (coaling and landing place for mail steamers) and railway, and numerous other bridges, buildings, jetties, wharves, are additional monuments to Mr. Wishart’s constructive ability. In brief, the following more or less important works throughout Australia were undertaken and carried out by Mr. Wishart, sen.:-In Victoria – The first section of the Melbourne water supply, from Preston to Kangaroo Ground, costing about £110,000 ; and numerous smaller works in the early days.
In Tasmania – The road bridge over the Derwent River, £20,000 ; and the Mount Cameron water race, £26,000.
In Western Australia – Jetties at Albany, £25,000 ; Fremantle, £12,000 ; Carnarvon, £10,000 ; Busselton, £8,000 ; Broome, £30,000 (this last work includes a tramway and water supply) and smaller ones at Esperance Bay and Euela. Railway bridge at Guildford, £10,000 ; and the Cape Leeuwin lighthouse, a masonry structure, 145 feet high carrying a Chance’s first-order dioptric light, visible 28 miles. The freestone for the masonry was procured from a quarry about half a mile away.
In New South Wales – Dry docks on the Clarence and Tweed Rivers, and the Cowra Bridge. The latter is a unique structure, the three large spans being 165 feet, resting on cylinders sunk 50 feet into the ground by the airlock system. The top cords and braces are of ironbark timber, and the bottom cords are of steel. The approach truss spans are 90 feet. Since coming to Fiji the firm renewed and extended the Queen’s Wharf, Suva, and also the Queen’s Wharf, Levuka ; erected the Wakaya lighthouse; Sabeto bridge, and numerous bridges on Viti Levu, Ovalau, and Vanua Levu. The firm, which consists of the late Mr. Wishart’s two sons, started as timber merchants in 1902, and later bought out the old-established business of Messrs. J. C. Smith & Co.
Mr. Wishart died at Suva, on July 20, 1906.
