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received. Part of the problem was the absence of accurate survey information about the

terrain and also likely passenger volumes, neither of which Council possessed.

The matter rested there until early 1910. Then, in response to representations from the Cape
Peninsula Publicity Association, Council agreed that surveyors be requested to provide

estimates of the cost of undertaking a survey of Platteklip and Stinkwater gorges, as well as
other probable routes. Mr O. C. McPherson agreed to do so for a fee of £250 but was then not

appointed. At the same time the City Engineer, Mr W. J. Jeffries, again raised the issue of

water pollution should the catchment become “the playground for all and sundry.” The
Council Joint Committee concluded that an inspection of the mountain should precede any

decision on the matter. This was delayed for some months by bureaucratic inefficiencies and

the weather.

As it had done during previous decades, The Cape Argus continued its support of proposals
to ascend the mountain:

The Cape Argus, Saturday, October 1, 1910.

TABLE MOUNTAIN RAILWAY

A letter, which we published in a recent issue, revives the controversy over the Table
Mountain railway scheme, of which little has been heard lately. There have been two classes
of opponents to the project. There are the hardy mountaineers, who look upon the mountain
as their special preserve, and regard a railway as pure vandalism; and there are those who fear
that a railway would affect the purity of the city water supply. Neither of these objections, in
our opinion, hold good. With regard to water supply, it has been proved that, with due
precautions, there need be no fear of pollution. As to the sentimental objections of the
mountaineers, which are set forth by our latest correspondent, they are completely
outweighed by the advantages which a railway would confer. At present the joys of the
mountain top are confined exclusively to the robust; a railway would bring them within reach
of all. Nor need the scheme prejudicially affect the appearance of the face of the mountain. It
should be quite within the powers of engineering skill to construct a railway along such a
route as to avoid this. Apart from the pleasure that a railway would bring to thousands of
residents of the Peninsula who have never climbed the mountain, it is impossible to
overestimate its importance as an attraction to visitors. Cape Town is at last waking up to the
necessity for developing its assets, and the greatest of these is undoubtedly the mountain. We
may hope, therefore, that preliminary steps for the building of the railway will not be longer
delayed. It will be remembered that the question was referred by the City Council to the
Health and Waterworks Committee as a Joint Committee, to inspect the site. Unfortunately
the weather has not hitherto been favourable on the days fixed for inspection. An opportunity
was given to Councillors last Saturday, when the annual visit to the mountain reservoirs took