Page 57 - Bulletin 8 2004

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signs - two realistic-looking pictures of ships – that the firm is the local agent for two
famous steamship companies. The town was full of visitors during the greater part of
the day, and congratulations were freely offered the townspeople. During the forenoon
the Admiral, with kindly forethought, placed at the disposal of visitors a number of
steam pinnaces, by which those who wished to see the British bulwarks in Simon’s Bay
had the opportunity offered them, and many accepted the invitation.
Soon after one o’clock a large company sat down, at the British Hotel, to a
luncheon which was excellent as to quality, and, under the circumstances, exceptionally
well served. The Mayor of Simon’s Town (Mr. F. H. S. Hugo) presided, supported by
the Hon. C. J. Rhodes, M.L.A., the Hon. J. X. Merriman, M.L.A., the Hon. J. Rose-
Innes, Q.C., M.L.A., Admiral Nicholson, Mr. A. Ohlsson, M.L.A., Dr. Smuts, M.L.A.,
Mr. Horne, C.C. & R.M., the Rev Father Meagher, the Rev. Mr. Eedes, and many
others. Mr. Runciman and Dr. Clarke were the vice-chairmen.
After dinner the loyal toasts were drunk, and apologies for non-attendance
announced from His Excellency the Governor, Mr. C. J. Manuel, Mr. D. P. Graaff
(Mayor of Cape Town), and others.
The Chairman, in proposing the toast of “The Ministry”, said that wonders never
ceased in this world, and certainly the experience of Simon’s Town bore out that axiom.
Something that they had waited for longingly for many years had at length come to
them. Those seated around that festive board that day were privileged to see what their
forefathers would have given much to see. Many of their friends who were present
when the first sod of the new line was cut, a year ago, had now joined the majority. It
was a most wonderful thing that they had got a railway. Hitherto Simon’s Town people
had been a forlorn people – (laughter) – a people regarding whom it seemed to be said,
as it was said of Nazareth of old, that nothing good could come to their district.
(Laughter.) They seemed to people without friends of any sort. True, their
Parliamentary friends remembered them when there was an election – (renewed
laughter) – but that was only now and then. When, however, they had once got through
the stirring times of an election, they seemed to be forgotten altogether. They knocked
time after time at the door of the Commissioner of Public Works, and they sent petition
after petition, but no good seemed to result. However, happier times came at last, and
now the railway was an accomplished fact. (Cheers.) At present there was a
Government in power which had done well to Simon’s Town, and Simon’s Town felt
glad and grateful. He was very proud to see at that board the members of the
Government and the Admiral, and many friends who had come there to congratulate
them. (Hear, hear.) The line was one which had been long wanted, and he hoped it
would further that South African idea of unity among the different South African States.
He hoped that the Premier would give them a short narrative of his recent trip.
(Laughter.) That journey was one of the cleverest political moves that any man could
have made. He believed that Mr. Rhodes was at one with the people of South Africa and
that he had made up his mind to benefit the Cape Colony. He believed the railway
would pay for the money which had been spent on its construction, and that it would
prove an immense boon to the people of the district. Some of their townsmen might
suffer. No really grand movement was carried through without some suffering, but he
believed that the Simon’s Town railway was a public work for the public good, and that
it would be appreciated in that spirit. (Cheers.)
The toast was cordially drunk.