Page 53 - Bulletin 8 2004

50

breaking out all over the country; the Colony was getting richer everyday and more
prosperous, and he was glad to think that we were utilising the knowledge gained from
different sources, for travelling made us all wiser and better men. When we travelled we
found out how small was the place to where we belong, and there was no book in the
world better than that set out before us in the knowledge gained by travelling, and
finding out that there were other countries in some ways even better than our own. He
thought that was a great occasion for the Cape, and he was glad to be able to think that
possibly he might be there to travel over that line which been just inaugurated. If he
were far away he should always listen with intense pleasure to anything about the Cape,
and he believed that nothing would benefit that part of the Colony more than the Kalk
Bay and Simon’s Town railway. (Cheers.)
Mr Elliott said his duties were simple. He was going to ask the engineers to be
good enough to proceed with the railway as quickly as possible; the rest would be in
their hands, and he hoped before long to see the engine steam into Simon’s Town. That
had been his pet scheme for many years; he remembered suggesting to the Hon. the
Commissioner’s predecessor the commencement of the line, but then the account at the
bank was far less, things were not nearly so favourable. However, he suggested that the
Imperial Government should be approached, but the hon. gentleman’s predecessor said,
almost in the words of the Admiral, that we should be hampered if this were done. Now,
we had a free hand, and he hoped there would be no difficulty in carrying out the
promise made by the Hon. the Commissioner. Of course there were difficulties in the
way, and he preferred to say that the line would be ready in six months providing no
unforeseen circumstances occurred to prevent it. However, he hoped the railway would
be finished within the stated time. [Mr Pauling: Or sooner if practicable. (Laughter.)]
Mr Hugo also referred in cordial terms to the undertaking, which he said was
much needed, and ought to have been carried out long ago. (Hear, hear) He concluded
by proposing the toast of “The Ministry.”
The Hon. W. Pearson, M.L.A, acknowledged the toast. He said it was regrettable
that the railway had not been made before, because it was a matter of necessity, which
was better done sooner than later. They were remedying a defect, and no doubt that
remedy would be conducive to the great benefit of the Simon’s Town district and
Colony generally. As to the Imperial Government, he thought the less they depended
upon it for material assistance the better it would be. For its Imperial assistance they
were always grateful and thankful, but it was their duty, as it was their right, to build
their own railways and to defend their own ports, as one of the immediate contingents
of the grand British Empire. They should not look for as much help from outside, but
exercise the right of grown-up sons who had commenced their own households. At the
same time, they recognised the debt they owed to the army and navy, but they must not
ignore their own duty and the privilege of their birthright – the right to maintain
themselves, and be one of the colonies of the world. He hoped that they would act in
this spirit, and that all the colonies would be so well prepared that there should be no
war possible, and no talk of war in the future, but that such feelings would be subdued.
The Government was perfectly willing to do all it could for the benefit of that portion of
the Colony, as of all others, but it was largely a question of money, without which they
could d nothing.
The Rev. E. J. Williams, chairman of the Simon’s Town Municipality, having
also addressed a few observations to those present, as to the importance of the railway,