TO THE SPRINGS (MT WELLINGTON) BY CHARABANC !!

[Ross Ewington]

In my experience, there are many portraits of travellers commencing their journey from Hobart to Mt Wellington in a crowded horse-drawn or
motorised charabanc. Revellers could often order these portraits upon their return from the photographer concerned, in this case William Fellowes
who traded as "D.I.C." from premises at 173 Elizabeth Street in Hobart (now Macfie's music store).

This photo is dated 'Mt Wellington, Feb 20th 1918'.

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The vehicle in this photo has Garnet Self's Tourist Drive(?) on the side - does anyone know anything about this operator?

PLEASE POST SIMILAR IMAGES THAT YOU MAY HAVE IN YOUR COLLECTION BELOW

[Maria Grist]

This is one of the the regular common postcards taken on the Huon Road. I have two other common postcards which are taken from a further viewpoint away from the people.

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Here's two advertisements I gleaned earlier from Trove:
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Friday 26 December 1919, page 2
SPRINGS (MOUNT WELLINGTON), 5/.
DAILY, BY MOTOR CHARABANC.
Brown's River. 3/; Huonville. 12/; Franklin, 13/; Geeveston, 15/. All Fares Return.
Book at
GOVERNMENT BUREAU.
Or
WEBSTER, ROMETCH LTD.
Cr. Murray and Collins streets,
(Proprietors).
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Friday 23 October 1914, page 2
TOURIST TRIPS
BY MOTOR-CAR AND HORSE BRAKES.
DAILY TO Mount Wellington (The Springs), Brown's River, Round Trip to Brown's River, via Fern Tree and Huon road, Etc., Etc. By the BEST HORSED VEHICLES IN TASMANIA.
DAILY TO Huonville. 10/; Franklin, 11/; Geeveston, 13/;Russell Falls 20/,; Port Arthur, £2, Etc., Etc, by UP-TO-DATE AND RELIABLE MOTOR-CARS
WEBSTER, ROMETCH LTD.,
Tel., 714. 78 Murray-st
GARAGE, 19 Argyle-st, Tel 1019; or Tourist Office, opp. G. P. O.

There's more but it needs correcting and I will post it later.

[Maria Grist]

Some more advertisements, these are older:
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Saturday 19 March 1892, page 1
MOUNT WELLINGTON, FERN TREE BOWER, HUON ROAD, ETC. WEBSTER'S ROYAL MAIL COACHES TO HUON leave British Hotel, Liverpool- street, at 9 a.m. DAILY, passing Mountain Road, Fern Tree Bower, Longley and Lower Longley, return from the above places same day, leaving Fern Tree at 3 and 5 p.m., allowing ample time to visit the Mountain. Those preferring a more lengthened drive may visit Huonville, Franklin, Shipwrights' Point, or Geeveston, and return next day. Visitors will find on this road some of the grandest scenery in the Colonies. Private Parties taken to Mountain Road, Fern Tree Bower, or any part of Huon at Moderate Charges. For further particulars apply to JOHN WEBSTER, Huon Coach Office, British Hotel, Liverpool street. K. L. WEBSTER & CO., Proprietors.
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), Wednesday 7 March 1888, page 1
HUON ROYAL MAIL COACH leaves the British Hotel EVERY MORNING at 9 o'clock. Visitors can go to Mount Wellington Track and Fern Tree Bower ; also meet up coach returning same day. The scenery cannot be surpassed, and is the grandest drive in the colony. Good Accommodation at Huon. WALTER WEBSTER, Proprietor.

[Maria Grist]

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860-1954), Tuesday 26 November 1912, page 2 has an article describing the inauguration of a new motor mail and passenger service from Hobart to the Huon, by Messrs. Webster, Rometch, and Duncan Ltd.
The firm had stables at Longley, see The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860-1954), Monday 5 February 1912, page 6
Passing of the Huon Coach, a short survey and history, reminiscences of the driver: The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860-1954), Friday 13 June 1913, page 6 describes the "funeral of the Huon horse coach" and the "huge grey motor-omnibuses" which replaced them. Mention is made of Mr. Frank Webster, one-time proprietor, Mr. Walter Webster (now dead) his brother, of the Huon Coach and Mr. Geo. Rometch, of the present company. There is a lot more information in this article about the history of the company, which started around 1877.

[Maria Grist]

More on Austin's: Another card, which I don't own, an advertising card, has this written on it:

"AUSTIN's Drives for Tourists to Ferntree Bower, Springs, Brown's River, Round Trips every Day, Private Picnic Parties Catered for. First Firm to introduce the Char-a-banc in Tasmania. All top male racing horses (this last sentence was unclear). Stables 130 Liverpool Street. Office. Telephone 857."

This card was postmarked July 11.

[Ross Ewington]

many thanks Maria for all the images and information ... it's a terrific topic to have 'a look' into I think!

regards, Ross

[Maria Grist]

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Here's one from the Webster, Rometch and Duncan firm. Their name in on the side ... Not sure it shows up at this size but easy to see on original. The back says: "This is us coming down from Mt Wellington. You will notice I am next to Driver as usual. The trip cost 6/- each. we go to New Norfolk tomorrow." Not postally used, no photographer's name.

[Malcolm Groom]

I have come across another card with a similar view and with Tasmanian Tourist Bureau back. Posted under cover but message is to family members living in Dover and is dated 27 December 1918.

There were obviously no laws on overloading but presumably it was loaded more for the benefit of the photograph!

Taken in Macquarie Street opposite Church House near St David's Cathedral and outside the Tourist Bureau (now State Treasury)

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