Page 58 - Bulletin 9 2005

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were piled on top of the tank. The cart had no ‘tent’ or other covering and was supposed to
carry three passengers as well as the mails, one in front, who sat with the driver, and two

behind who sat with their backs to the driver and their feet resting on the tailboard.

He described the road, for the most part, as vile and the horses as often untrained. The

drivers required much skill. They were mainly Malays or coloured men and were
accomplished in using the whip. The post-carts were strongly built of the toughest colonial

wood, had extra long springs, and could stand an immense amount of wear and tear. (Figs
2.3 & 2.4.)

The coming of mail-trains

In 1865 the mail distribution was considerably changed as the railway from Cape Town
had reached Wynberg in December 1864. The train to Wynberg now carried the mail and a

contract was drawn up for delivery of the mail from Wynberg to Simon’s Town, with stops

at Plumstead, Diep River, Muizenberg and Kalk Bay. The timetable for mail-trains from
Cape Town to Wynberg was:

Departing Cape Town to Wynberg 8.16 am 12.50 pm and 3.10 pm.
Departing Wynberg to Cape Town 8.22 am 2.10 pm and 4.16 pm

The Government Gazette now called for tenders to adhere to these times and Vincent and

Grout were successful in securing the contract. On 16 January 1865 it was advertised that
their omnibuses would leave the Central Hotel Simon's Town at 6.45 am and 1.30 pm for

Wynberg to meet the trains leaving Cape Town at 8.16 am and 3.10 pm, respectively.

The Vincent and Grout mail contract appears not to have lasted long for The Cape