1832 Hobart to Launceston mail run

[Geoff Dane]

The following is part of a notice in the Hobart Town Courier of 10 August 1832 and details the route and timing of the mail transfer between Hobart town and Launceston.

To all Postmasters
The following alterations and arrangements will take place in this Department from Tuesday the 28th inst (Aug 1832).

The Mail will leave Hobart town for Launceston on Tuesday and Friday in each week at 9 o’clock P.M., and will arrive at Launceston on Wednesday and Saturday, at 5 o’clock P.M. The Mail will leave Launceston at 12 o’clock (noon) on Monday and Thursday in each week and will arrive at Hobart town, on Tuesday and Friday at 8 o’clock, A.M.

The Horse Messenger will carry a time bill, upon which his arrival at and departure from each station, will be carefully noted.
From Hobart town to Launceston.

The probable time for the arrival of the Mail at the intermediate Post stations will be as follows:-

Departure from:
Hobart town 9 P.M.
Hestercombe, Govett’s half past 10 P.M.
Brighton, half past 11
Green ponds, half past 1 P.M. (should have stated A.M.)
Cross Marsh (Berthon’s) 1 qr, past 2
Lovely banks, half past 3
Jericho, half past 4
Oatlands, 3 qrs, past 6
Antill ponds, 3 qrs, past 6
Ross, half-past 8
Campbell town, do 10
Snake banks (Wedge’s) half past, 1 P.M.
Simmon’s plains (Youl’s), ½ past 2
Perth 3
Launceston 5.

From here the article covers details of the Launceston to Hobart run and the deliveries to other places from the various intermediate post stations. The concluding paragraphs are interesting though.

The regulations for rewarding convicts to be hereafter employed by this department, are transmitted herewith, and it is hoped that any act of misconduct, irregularity or unnecessary delay in the Messengers , will be immediately reported to the Committee.
It is very desirable that the money for the postage of letters should not be received by the Messengers, the Post Masters must endeavour to make arrangements with the Inhabitants of their respective districts, for the payments themselves.

(signed) John Montagu and George Yeoland

Hestercombe was the Derwent River crossing at what is now called Austins Ferry.