Page 56 - Bulletin 8 2004

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to celebrate in right royal fashion the attainment of their desires. Early yesterday fore-
noon the first train for Simon’s Town left Adderley street at 9.35, being followed soon
after by others. The carriages were well filled with Cape Town people anxious to
witness the proceedings at Simon’s Town, whilst other persons were picked up at the
suburban stations. The circumstances under which the line was opened were certainly of
the most favourable description. Not even the proverbial south-easter was en evidence
to blusteringly dispute every foot of the way. “Jupiter Pluv.” was on his best behaviour,
and though, of course, it is the undying privilege of mankind to grumble at the weather
at all times, the most that could be said yesterday was that the day was somewhat
oppressively hot. The train arrived at Simon’s Town about eleven o’clock – not exactly
lightning speed considering the distance covered – and was received by as interesting–
looking an assemblage as one could desire to see. The station had been extensively
adorned with flags and banners of many colours, and the platform was crowded with
ordinary, staid-looking Europeans, gorgeously–attired Malays, whose Eastern apathy
was not proof against the reigning excitement; honest British tars and red jackets;
Kroomen from Sierra Leone dressed in sailor clothes, and with merry, good-humoured
faces; hundreds of happy–looking school children, who set up the National Anthem in
brisk time; and many representatives of the Order of Forestry, under Chief Ranger
Lancaster. Stretched across the line was a piece of tape – doubtless of the reddish colour
said to be used in Government departments. As the train came in the engine broke
through the thin barrier, and amidst loud and hearty cheering the first passenger journey
on the new line was completed. The Hon. C. J. Rhodes, M.L.A., alighted from the train,
and, in declaring the line open for traffic, said he congratulated the Mayor (Mr. Hugo) –
who received Mr. Rhodes – on the fact that the community was at last placed in railway
communication with the rest of the Colony. He hoped that the public would do all in
their power to develop the traffic of the line. The Commissioner of Crown lands had
given a most liberal service of trains, but the success of the line would, of course,
depend very greatly upon the support which was received from the general community.
(Cheers.) Mr. Hugo replied in a felicitous speech, in which he said he did not doubt that
the Premier’s words would be acted upon.
When the brief ceremony at the railway-station was over a move was made
towards the town, and visitors could not but admire the hearty fashion in which the
people of Simon’s Town showed their pleasure at the approach of the railway. The ships
of war comprising the Cape Squadron were festooned with flags from stem to stern, and
presented a bright and pretty spectacle, whilst the town itself was fairly hidden by
masses of bunting and floral designs. Near the Admiral’s house was erected a fine
triumphal arch, bearing the term, presumably addressed to the railway-engine,
“Welcome”, and the surrounding villas were tastefully decorated with flags and
evergreens. The principal street, containing the post-office, the hotels, the Naval Club,
the leading stores, &c., was scarcely recognisable in its gay attire, and the tenants of
practically all the buildings in the place, from the railway-station to a charming villa
which appears to be the end of habitable Simon’s Town, showed their sympathy with
the advancing fortunes of the town, by adding, with the greatest generosity and good
will, their quota to the general effect, which was pleasant and picturesque in the
extreme. One leading Simon’s Town firm combined its sense of the occasion with the
sweet uses of advertisement in a most original fashion. Its premises were almost hidden
in flags, fairy lamps, &c., but in bold prominence was placed the outward and visible