New Cableway To Top Of Table Mountain

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 February 1928, Page 9

New Cableway To Top Of Table Mountain

Will Be The Most Modern in the World READY IN JUNE The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, when completed, will be one of the most up-to-date cableways of its kind in the world. In the course ol an interview with a "Cape Times” representative recently, Sir Alfred Hennessy explained that the company had departed in certain details from the original plan, which meant that instead of having the cable way ready by about April, it was unlikely that it would be opened said. "Not that it was altogether to the public until June. "We have adopted some improvements in the machinery, which will make the control still more safe,” he necessary, but we intend to nave every modern improvement included. Ten more cableways similar to the Table Mountain undertaking are now being erected in Central Europe, but ,ars will be of the very la.test design.” Sir Alfred went on to say that the plan of the lower station on the contour path had been revised. A much larger building was to be erected; there would be greater accommodation for waiting passengers, and facilities would be given for obtaining light refreshments at this place. These features were not included in the original plan. The “erection ropeway,” whicn is necessary to take material to the top station, is now working. It is capable of carrying 2,0001 b of construction gear to the summit in "1 minutes, and the “box” has already done many trips. The passenger cabin the finished ropeway will make the ascent in 5J minutes. Motor Road Almost Ready

The motor road ‘Tom Kloof Nek to the lower site is almost ready. A steam roller is now busy with the top dressing of this new highway. Building operations will soon begin at the top station, where a first-class restaurant is to be erected. Comfortable inside accommodation will be provided for use when the weather is rough, and trippers will view the magnificent panorama of the lowlands from a large terrace. The restaurant should prove a great convenience, not only to those who ascend by die cableway, but also to mountaineers who may prefer to travel * “light” and secure a good meal at the top. The area in the vicinity of the upper station will be fenced off where necessary for safety, but the permanent water spring, which is well known at this spot, will not be reserved exclusively for the use of the restaurant. Mountaineers will be able to frequent this place as they have been accustomed to do in the past.

It was suggested to Sir Alfred Hennessy by our representative that fears were being aroused in certain quarters regarding the possibility of permanent disfigurement to the mountain as a result of the extensive blasting operations which have lately taken place at the top. “Although I’admit that anyone looking from Adderley Street at the moment would be promoted to say: ‘They are making a mess of the mountain,’ I have the engineer’s assurance that when the cableway is completed, and tho winter rains have set in and washed the gullies, everything will assume a perfectly normal appearance,” said Sir Alfred. Much Blasting Necessary

“In the ordinary course of events,” he proceeded, “considerable blasting was necessary at the corner of the mountain to enable the two cars moving up and down to enter and leave the top station. A cavity has been made near the summit. Tills now shows white against the weathered face of the mountain. But in this cavity the upper station will be built, and the outside will be of such a colour to tone with the surrounding rocks. Moreover, the top of the station will not protrude above the skyline and spoil the contour of the plateau when viewed from below,” Sir Alfred added that the rock which had been blasted was very frail, and an enormous amount of dust and debris had fallen down the gullies. This was now clearly visible, but the winter rains would wash most of it away. The company would do everything in its power to see that when everything was finished there would be no room for criticism of the operations from the aesthetic point of view. Necessary steps would be taken to remove any debris that may remain and might cause any permanent disfigurement.