Thomas Saywell's Tramway and the Making of Brighton Le Sands · Thomas Saywell's Tramway and the...

of 27

2012 Junior Ron Rathbone Local History Prize

Thomas Saywell's Tramway and the Making of Brighton

Le Sands

By Rachael Lee

Thomas Saywell's Tramway and the Making of Brighton Le Sands

of 27

Introduction

It is the late 19th century, over 100 years since the arrival of Captain Cook in Botany Bay and

over 100 years from the present day. It was Mark Twain's 'Gilded Age' and the height of the

Second Industrial Revolution. Brighton Le Sands was merely an undeveloped suburb in the

midst of a sandy beach. In 1925 Sir Joseph Carruthers in a journal of the Royal Australian

Historical Society commented on an earlier paper delivered by historian C.H. Bertie recalling

the St. George area some 25 years or more years earlier wrote:

“Hardly any settlement whatever then existed on three fourths of the districts of Sans

Souci, Sandringham, Lady Robinson’s Beach, or Georges River. What little settlement

there was consisted of a few houses of entertainment for visitors close to the foreshores,

and a fair number of market-gardens about a mile or two back from the water-front. None

of this settlement had caused much alteration in the natural vegetation or in the natural

conditions of the country adjacent to the bay or the river. Some alterations, of course, did

occur from the grazing of a few horses and cattle, or from an occasional drain constructed

to mitigate the flooding of low-lying market-gardens. The water-front itself – except for a

few here and there – was untouched and unchanged. Here it was possible, thirty to fifty

years ago, to visualise those excursions of Cook and his men into the surrounding shores

of Botany Bay and Georges River…”1

Brighton Le Sands remained in this state for many years. It would take a man of vision to

transform Brighton Le Sands to the populated and modern suburb we know today.

Settlements developed along the shores of Lady Robinson Beach in the 19th century. By

1870 there were settlements close to Muddy Creek. One of these settlements, the hamlet,


of 27

which developed along its coastline, east of Rockdale, was called Lady Robinson's Beach for

a brief period in the 1880s. This hamlet grew into the suburb of 'Brighton-le-Sands'.

In 1871 Rockdale was made a municipality. Local government assumed much of the

responsibility for management of the district, including the settlements along the foreshore of

the bay, collectively known as Lady Robinson's Beach. Two roads were built to link Rocky

Point Road to the beach: Bay Street to New Brighton and Sandringham Street (built in 1875

and gravelled in 1877) which led to a foreshore hotel near Dolls Point.

Then in 1884, the first section of the Illawarra line (Redfern to Hurstville via Rockdale) was

opened. This made the Botany Bay area much more accessible. The opening of Rockdale

Station on the new railway line in 1884 heralded considerable expansion for the coastline of

the bay.

The Grand Parade, Brighton Le Sands c 1898 - Cook Park2


of 27

Thomas Saywell

Thomas Saywell (1837-1928) grew up in a small lace making

village in England. For generations, his family had been lace

makers. However, following the Industrial Revolution, the

demand of hand-made lace began to decline causing his family

to source employment in France. Following political

instability, the Saywell's decided to migrate to Australia from

Nottinghamshire, England on 6 October 1848.3 From there, he

completed his education to pursue his own business ventures.

Thomas Saywell had a good track record for spotting a good investment. This was

demonstrated by the many successful ventures he was involved in: from setting up as a

tobacconist in Sydney in 1863, to investing in coal and brick production and real estate where

he developed the Ziz-Zag Coal Co. at Lithgow and the South Bulli Colliery. To aid in the

transportation of his coal he built the Bellambi jetty in 1887 at South Bulli for £40,000 (about

$4.8 million). His coal company also won large government contracts for coal. Saywell

would go on to buy and develop other south coast mines, notably the Clifton and South

Clifton collieries.4

In 1881, the Public Works Act authorized the construction of a railway from Sydney to

Wollongong via Kiama. Saywell followed the development surrounding the route of the

proposed railway line to Illawarra District with great interest. Not only would the completed

line enable him to transport his coal to Sydney at a fraction of what it cost to move it by sea,

but the possibilities of making a real estate killing along the route of the line were unlimited.5

Portrait of Thomas Saywell1


of 27

Pleasure Grounds

By the time he bought three allotments of land at Lady Robinson's Beach, Thomas Saywell

was a well known entrepreneur and business man. Between October 1882 and April 1883, he

purchased the land at Lady Robinson's Beach between Bay Street and Bestic Street, totaling

nearly one hundred acres in area. Many before him, who had seen Brighton Le Sands, saw the

land as useless as the grounds were not suitable for farming or grazing, thus the cumulative

cost for the land was less than ten pounds ($1,200).6 However, Saywell saw potential in the

land and decided to build his Pleasure Grounds on the allotments he had bought. He

envisaged a prosperous, watering town where the rich would come to holiday. His Pleasure

grounds included public swimming baths, a picnic park, a race course and the New Brighton

Hotel (current site of the Novotel Hotel). His creation was immensely popular. People all over

Sydney flocked to Brighton Le Sands to stay at his Pleasure Grounds. Access to the Grounds

was by horse drawn carriages which ran from the city to the beach. However, travelling via a

horse drawn carriage posed a few problems. It would be inefficient to transport hundreds of

people to and from the Pleasure Grounds, especially at the slow pace of a horse drawn

carriage. He proposed to construct a tramline which would run from Rockdale to Brighton Le

Sands.

The Tramway

Although the construction of railways in NSW started with the first railway line in New

South Wales which was opened in 1855 between Sydney to Granville, horse-drawn cabs were

commonly in used to link the shopping areas as well as to link the railways to Sydney Cove.

The surfaces and carriage ways of Sydney left a lot to be desired. The roadways were mainly

unpaved and dusty thoroughfares that turn to quagmires in rainy days. Clearly a better mode

of public transport was needed.


of 27

In 1861, the colonial government of New South Wales passed the Tramways Act which

authorized the Railways to proceed with the building of the tram tracks.

By 1885, tram ways in Sydney has been extended from the city to the eastern suburbs to

places like Randwick, Cooks River and Pyrmont. The trams were carrying an annual

passenger load of 15 million.7 By comparison, today’s City Rail Networks carry a passenger

load of 294.5 million per annum.

By the time Thomas Saywell, proposed a Rockdale to Brighton Le Sands tramway, trams

were already well established in Sydney. However, few were privately owned; most tramlines

were government owned. With the newly completed Illawarra to Hurstville rail line, a

Rockdale to Brighton Le Sands tramway would allow people from all over Sydney to

conveniently travel to his Pleasure Grounds.

Saywell addressed the West Botany Municipal Council with his proposition to build a steam

operated tramline and started the arduous process of obtaining government sanction for his

venture.

However, it was not all smooth sailing. When Mr. Huntly, on behalf of Thomas Saywell, first

approached the local municipal council for permission to build a tramway in 3rd

April, 1883,

the aldermen were somewhat embarrassed that in 1879 they had joined Randwick Council in

protesting against the introduction of tramways unless sponsored by the Government. They

also expressed concern with the hefty costs and responsibility for the construction and

maintenance of the tramway, as well as the cost of cutting down the sandstone cliffs in Bay

Street, in order for the tramway to be built. Hence, they rejected the proposal.

On the 17th of April the same year, Mr. Huntly addressed the Council again on the proposal.

He managed to convince the aldermen of the merit of the scheme and they finally gave their

full support to the project.8 No doubt, Saywell's financial help with the extension of Bestic


of 27

Street to the beach, which opened early in 1883, may have earned him favors with the

aldermen. Also, as a condition for supporting the tramway project, Saywell entered in to a

bond to indemnify the Council against any expenses as a result of his activities. Saywell

would also have to accept full responsibility for cutting down the Bay Street hill and

constructing a bridge across Muddy Creek.9

Building the Tramway

In order to build a private tramway, a special act of parliament was required. The act entitled

"Saywell's Tramway Act" was put forward to the State Parliament. They agreed to sanction

the tramway in March 1884, leasing it to him for a period of 30 years. This was only the

second private tramway to be granted the license in Sydney. Soon after, construction began.

Thomas Saywell called upon his two long time business associates, the architect William

Kenwood and Harry Kerle, an engineer, to help him construct the tramway. Kerle specialized

in the construction of train lines for mining companies (which Saywell was involved in) and

Kenwood had designed the hotels which prospered in the mining towns which then

developed.10

The tramway would start at Rockdale Station (now known as Tramway Arcade) and go

through a turntable to turn around the engine and a short connecting link with the railway line.

It then proceed across Rocky Point Road (later this section of the road was renamed Princes

Highway) to Bay Street and passed the Rocky Point Wesleyan Chapel (present day Rockdale

Uniting Church) to the large rock outcrop in Bay Street near the intersection of George Street

where the present day Southern Cross Apartments is sited. The large rock outcrop now forms

part of the foundation of the apartments.In order to build the tramway, private contractors had

to be employed to remove hundreds of tons of rock from the outcrop. The total cost was

£1,587 (about $190,000).


of 27

Possible remnants of the rock outcrop at the corner of Bay Street and George Street – photo by the author

The line was situated along the northern alignment of the street, much to the annoyance of the

adjacent residents whose homes were engulfed in clouds of dust and smoke every time the

tram passed by.11

An embankment was built to carry the tramline across the creek via a

wooden bridge. The route of the tramway encountered several sand hills which were leveled.

The excess sand was used to fill sections of swamp. The line then passed through farms

operated by early settlers such as Samuel Tattler, market gardener; Andrew Spring, a dairy

farmer; Samuel Warren, piggery owner and the estate of George Hook among others.

Saywell’s Tramway Act provided for the line to be extended as far as McRae's Road (today’s

Bestic Street) and although it was completed a short distance beyond Princess Street, it was

soon abandoned because of the constant problem of keeping the line clear of wind-blown

sand. The terminus thus remained near Princess Street until it was brought back to the end of

Bay Street when the line was electrified some years later.12


of 27

Track of the Tramway 1885-191413


of 27

Early operation of the tramway

The tramway was completed within 20 months of passing the Saywell Tramway Act at a cost

of £10,100 ($1.2 million). This was a few months earlier than they first estimated. Thus, the

locomotive ordered from England had not arrived yet. Saywell was forced to hire a

locomotive from the NSW Government Railways using two American bogie type end loading

cars.

The tramway was opened to traffic on November 9, 1885. But just when everything seemed

to be working out, the firebox of the small locomotive was burnt out due to mismanagement.

This required Saywell to loan a second locomotive from the government. The NSW

Government Railways were none too pleased and a replacement locomotive of the same type,

No. 66, was only obtained on the condition that a Railway Department driver was employed

to prevent this incident from repeating.

Rockdale Terminal - Tramway Arcade – Photo by Noel Reed Courtesy Frank McQuade


of 27

Tramway Arcade today – photo by the author

The first few months of operation proved strenuous. The engines with their rather rigid

wheelbase experienced problems negotiating the four chain (around 80 metres) radius curve

from Bay Street into Grande Parade resulting in the removal of coupling rods from the

leading and trailing wheels and their operation in effect as single wheelers. This affected their

ability to climb the grade into Rockdale resulting in wheel slipping and complaints from local

residents that the resulting shower of sparks set fire to their lawns to say nothing of

passengers also being showered by sparks.14

Also, the two passenger cars proved inadequate;

the two cars provided accommodation for sixty people but at least twice that number crowded

into each car, much to the disappointment of some hundreds of passengers. The fares charged

were 3 pence ($1.50) for adults and 1 penny ($0.50) for children each way.

There was much relief when the locomotive Saywell ordered from England arrived in 1886.

However it was also far from satisfactory, suffering from a lack of power and the poor


of 27

placement of the reverse gear. To add to his woe, the two passenger cars built locally by

Chapman & Co. that was capable of seating 80 or 96 passengers to provide for greater

capacity was too wide to pass through the narrow confines of the Bay Street outcrop. Similar

problems beset the other two passenger cars built by Thomas Wearne of Glebe. This resulted

in further quarrying work and expense to provide the necessary clearance.

The locomotive “Pigmy” and tram car ready to depart Rockdale for Brighton-le-Sands15

Not one to give up easily, Saywell decided to order two more capable locomotives from

Hudswell, Clarke & Co. in England. The first named "Saywell" arrived in 1887 and the

second named “Pigmy” arrived in 1888. The locomotives loaned from the government were

returned and the second locomotive was transferred to the South Bulli Colliery. His two new

locomotives were put to work. This time, the trams could accommodate for the large crowds

on public holidays and busy occasions, with 4 carriages per locomotive. During the first

twelve months of operation, the tramway incurred a loss of £1,370 ($164,400). Revenue for

ticket sales amounted to £912/5/8 ($109,500) while expenses ran into £2,282/16/0

($273,900).


of 27

The reason for the loss was a reflection of the reality that permanent settlement planned for

the beach area was slow in developing and the tram relied heavily on the weekend and

holiday traffic only.

The beginning of a developed Brighton Le Sands

By now, the Pleasure Grounds were completed and the tramway was running smoothly. All

these developments were promoted heavily. An entry in the Australian Town and Country

Journal (NSW: 1870-1907), Saturday 31 December, page 26-28 stated admiringly:

“In a country in which the greater part of the carrying business other than that done by

bullock drays or horse teams is monopolized by the Government, it is pleasing to see a

steam tram service established, and successfully worked, by private enterprise. Such a

service is that built by Mr. Thomas Say well from the Rockdale rail way station to Lady

Robinson's Beach... The carriages are clean and comfortable, and the guards civil and

obliging. The tramline runs from the Rockdale station to the New Brighton Hotel, a fine

specimen of modern architecture, designed by Messrs. Kenwood and Kerle for Mr.

Thomas Say well. The building is three storeys high with wide verandahs and balconies,

and a fine portico (fig. 1) over the main entrance. The hotel contains forty rooms, besides

bathrooms and offices, and is fitted up with elegant furniture. The vestibule of the hotel

(fig. 2) is tastefully designed; and on either side are spacious parlors, a fine dining-room,

a comfort able bar, and a well-appointed billiard-room. Immediately behind the hotel is a

magnificent assembly hall (fig. 3), with oriental cupolas. The floor is 130ft long and 100ft

wide, and is one of the best in the colony. À wide dais, which may be used as a stage, is

placed at one end.

On either side of the hotel stretches Lady Robinson's Beach (fig. 4), nearly seven miles

long, and formed of fine hard shingle, admirably adapted for a gallop on horseback.

Immediately in front of the hotel are the baths...


of 27

From the upper verandah of the hotel a magnificent view is obtained of Botany Bay and

the heads, with La Perouse and Bear Island on the one side, and Kurnel River…Mr.

Thomas Say well, who may be considered the creator of this little paradise, was born in

Nottingham (England), and arrived in Sydney about 1850. He has been engaged for the

past twenty-five years in the tobacco business, and is the founder of Saywell's Tobacco

Manufacturing Co. (Limited). The lessee of the New Brighton Hotel is Mr. T. S. Huntley,

well known in Sydney as a genial and obliging host.”

Saywell's ventures in Brighton Le Sands seemed to have paid off as his developments

garnered him praise and accolades.

Arrival of Steam tram at New Brighton by Gillard Eardley


of 27

From 1887 until the end of the century, Saywell spent vast sums in developing his property at

the beach. Streets were formed and rows of cottages built which formed the small township at

the Beach. The fine two story terrace facing the baths was built during this period.

The Novotel Hotel now occupies the site of the New Brighton Hotel – photo by the author

The pre-eminent position of Saywell’s development at Lady Robinsons Beach as the pleasure

ground of Sydney did not go unchallenged. Neither was the land speculation started by the

Illawarra rail link restricted to the area.

In 1885, a meeting of land speculators petitioned the Government for a tramway from

Kogarah station to Sans Souci via Scarborough Park. The initiative was actively supported by

a young barrister, Joseph Carruthers who worked as a solicitor to the Reform Land

Investment and Building Co. Ltd. The petition was filed originally for the transport of market

produce to the rapidly expanding population and was initially rejected due to the area sparse

population. But after much lobbying and an offer of a donation to defray the cost, the scheme


of 27

was accepted, much to the alarm of Saywell. He wrote to the Railway Commissioner,

pointing out that he had built and equipped the Rockdale to Brighton Le Sands line at his own

expense and that the public purse should not be unnecessarily burdened unless the Kogarah

tramway could be made profitable. However, his protests were however fallen on deaf ears.

In February 1887, Carruthers (who later became the premier of New South Wales) lobbied

the Ministry of Works saying that the construction of the Kogarah to San Souci Tramway

should not be impeded by the criticism of any person- this comment most likely referring to

Saywell. The work proceeded and the Kogarah tramway was officially opened on 10th

September, 1887, the same month that the dancing pavilion opened in Lady Robinsons

Beach.16

The rivalry for development between Brighton, Sandringham and San Souci was intense but

with the onset of the depression in the early nineties, the momentum was with Saywell’s New

Brighton Estate. As noted by a journalist who travelled on both tram services and wrote in an

1899 newspaper:

“The stretch of country between Kogarah and Sans Souci is pleasant to look upon. It is of

goodly make. Wide plains of fern, clean stretches of trees and bright-flowered plants. The

population along the route was as sparse as the passengers on the tram were. One could

hardly understand why the track had been build. To encourage settlement, no doubt.”

But his observations of Saywell’s enterprises were much more enthusiastic:

“We passed through the pretty little village of Rockdale, and through a gallant sweep of

country until there sprang up before us Botany Bay. The trams were more crowded than

were the Sans Souci trams, and altogether it was evident that Lady Robinson’s Beach is

more frequented than Sans Souci. And why?...it has a large hotel and splendid baths, it

has refreshment rooms and picnic grounds and a lovely stretch of beach…Off to the right

the hand of improvement has been at work clearing back the sandbanks and extending the


of 27

beach. Homes are being built to provide for the needs of families who may wish to sojourn

at this charming resort, and about are little cottages springing up, giving promises of

increased patronage.”

The reporter ended his article on a note of prediction:

“I can foresee altogether a splendid future for the resorts of Botany Bay.”17

Meanwhile in the 1892, further misfortune befell Saywell’s ventures. Brighton Hotel was

stripped of its liquor license due to violence and reckless behavior in the hotel and its

surrounding area. However, the depression of the 1890s may have had something to do with

the crisis. There were many unemployed, and the area was a favorite retreat for locals and

visitors.

At around that time the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New South were

looking for a site the cater to the need for a church school for boys of Scottish and

Presbyterian families who had settled all over the colony of New South Wales. The ever

enterprising Saywell leased the hotel to the Scots College which opened in January 1893 and

its roll consisted of 25 boarders and 10 day boys. The first Principal appointed was the Rev.

Arthur Aspinall whose son Archie was the first pupil enrolled at the College.

Saywell meanwhile went overseas to America and on his return in 1894, set about retrieving

his financial position by leveling a sand hill adjacent to Bay Street near the duck farm and

constructing a racecourse on the site. The college on learning about the plans for the race

course, decided to move to Bellevue Hill. Eventually the hotel was re-licensed and remained

on the site until it was replaced by the Novotel Brighton Beach Motor Inn in the 1970’s.

The racecourse opened on the 16th December, 1895, where over 1,000 punters were present

at the race. The price for the admission to the race was one shilling ($6.00), for another


of 27

shilling, a combined train and tram ticket could be purchased. The package also included a

free admission to the baths, perhaps to allow punters a chance to cool off after a bad day at

the race or perhaps to delay the inevitable rush of passengers back to Rockdale.

Even with this measure, four carriages were equipped with two engines providing the power.

However, the crowds were such that the power of the little engines was insufficient to handle

the heavily loaded carriages up the steep incline to Rockdale. The carriages were packed full,

sometimes with passengers on the roof. Occasionally, the two engines failed requiring the

passengers to jump off and help push the engines over the hill amid loud cheering.

While in America, Saywell was convinced that the application of electricity was the future.

When Electric Trams were introduced in 1898, Saywell wasted no time in lobbying the

government. A Bill titled "Saywell's Tramway and Electric Lighting Act, 1898" was

submitted to Parliament in September. Clause 45 of the bill sought that the powers granted

under the Acts of 1884 and 1887 should continue for a period of 35 years from the passing of

the 1898 Bill. This involved an extension of twenty years to the unexpired term of fifteen

years- its aim being to earn back past losses. Rockdale Council was in agreement with the

extended period and the Bill was endorsed in a report dated October 8, 1898.

But this time Saywell's luck may have run out. Proceedings for the reading of the bill were

delayed until the member for St George, Mr. J. H. Carruthers, MLA moved the motion on

June 26, 1900. The Bill was opposed by future Labour Prime Minister, Mr. J. C.Watson,

MLA, who described Saywell's proposal as "audacious”. Members urged that Saywell's

concession should not be further extended and Carruthers stated that he would have to consult

with Saywell about possible amendments. Perhaps the rivalry between Carruthers and

Saywell was not forgotten. Some years earlier, Saywell had lobbied the government to stop

the construction of the Kogarah to San Souci Tramline, fearing Carruthers, who owned land


of 27

there, would install competition for his Pleasure Grounds. A motion to adjourn the debate

was agreed by 41 to 25 votes and the bill would not be put forward again.

However, not all was so bad for Saywell. He had spotted a loop hole in the law, whereby a

Bill authorizing electrification was unnecessary. Consequently work proceeded on

electrifying the line and providing electric rolling stock as well as a powerhouse at Brighton.

This work was completed by Friday, July 27,1900, when an electric trial took place which

was so successful that electric operation remained in operation from that day.18

The power house generating set and its steam boilers were housed in part of the stables at the

New Brighton Hotel at Lady Robinsons Beach. Power lines supplied electricity to the hotel

and other local business and was later supplied to Rockdale shopping area. This practice

continued until St George County Council, an electricity supply business, commenced

operations in March 1923.

To operate the new electric service Saywell bought two four-wheeled end loading saloon type

carriages built by the Birmingham Carriage and Wagon Company. Another favorite carriage

was a 96-seater built by Stewart & Crop, officially No 5, it was painted Indian Red and called

'Jumbo' locally for the elephant at the Sydney Zoological Gardens.19

Shortly after the electrification of the tramway, the two remaining steam locomotives were

sold; "Saywell" going to the Sulphide Corporation Cockle Creek near Newcastle while

"Pigmy “joined "Coffee Pot" on the Excelsior Land Company's Fassifern to Toronto tramway

a few miles away.20

The electric era saw Saywell make further adjustments to his tramway

operations.


of 27

Thomas Saywell’s electric tram21

In 1903, following the breakdown of his electric generating plant, Saywell has to revert

temporarily to steam by hiring a steam motor and trailer car from the Government Tramways.

He also had to purchase a spare stream tram motor in 1905 to guard against future failure.

Prior to the government takeover of the line in 1914, an inspection was conducted which was

not particularly flattering. However, it did reveal some fascinating facts about the operations.

For example:

“Hours of Drivers and Conductors:

Weekdays A.M. shifts - 6.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. and P.M. shift – 2.00 p.m. to 12.00 p.m.

On Sunday only one shift from 6.45 a.m. until 10.45 p.m. No meal relief. An assistant

conductor is employed on Sundays and Holidays. On Holidays all the men take up work

with all cars in traffic until the rush is over. One suit of clothes year. No holidays. Wages

£2/8/0 ($288) one week and the following week £2/10/0 ($300).The staff comprised Driver

Samuel Harris, 51 years (age. Twenty three years in the company's service. (Drive Harris


of 27

wasn't able to read or write.) Driver Chas. Stickby. Age 34, three years service.

Conductors Clark and Jenning -three months service.22

Thomas Saywell's Legacy

After the Saywell’s lease of the tramway expired in 1914, the Government continued to

operate the tramway until September 4th

, 1949 when the last tram leave Brighton-le-Sands for

Rockdale for the last time.

Saywell left a huge mark on the history of Brighton Le Sands. The number of households in

Rockdale rose from 1138 in 1891 to 5193 in 1921, a four and half times increase in 30 years.

In contrast, the population in New South Wales grew from 1.13 million to 2.1 million during

the same period; a 1.8 times increased. This rapid development of the region is no doubt due

to the development set in motion by Thomas Saywell tramway and development of Brighton-

Le-Sands

Apart from being a property developer, Saywell also had an eye for innovations, some of the

many accomplishments included:

The provision of hot and cold water and electric lighting in the hotel, years before many

of its Sydney rivals.

The Saywell pavilion, most likely the first building in the municipality to be lit by

electric light.

Saywell located an unfailing water supply by sinking deep bores and pumping the pure

subterranean water into high-level tanks for the use of the hotel and other buildings.

He installed a large septic tank to provide modern sewerage facilities.

Saywell's trams were licensed to carry Royal Mail. Prior to 1896, mail at Lady

Robinson's Beach was all posted in letter boxes which were cleared by letter carriers


of 27

from Rockdale. However, in that year letter boxes were affixed to Saywell's trams and

clearances were made five times daily. On 16th February 1903 the name of the post

office was changed officially to Brighton-le-Sands thus giving the suburb its official

name.

Thomas Saywell’s enterprising spirit in spending vast sums on an uncertain enterprise

especially during the depression years of 1890s showed not only great foresight but also

great tenacity. Even though the tramway made losses in the initial years of operations,

towards the end when it was handed back to the government on March 15th, 1914, the

operation was a lucrative one. The revenue for 1912 was £1898/2/4 ($227,700) and in

1913 was £2207/10/10 ($265,000) or a 14% rise year on year. As a result the New

South Wales Government Tramways had no hesitation in taking over the undertakings

despite the unflattering audit.

Many of the place names in the area bore his legacy such as “Grand Parade” to conform

to his grandiose scheme of the area. He also gave the suburb “Brighton-le-Sands” its

name, evidence of his early education in France.

Saywell was responsible for the planting of the familiar pine trees which have long

been an attractive feature of the beach. They were originally intended as a windbreak

and as a deterrent to drift-sand.


of 27

Lady Robinsons Beach today – photo by the author

In fact, Saywell loved the suburb he helped create so much that he lived in the row of terrace

houses designed by William Kenwood on Grand Parade for many years until shortly before

his death in 1928.


of 27

The terraces at Brighton Le Sands that Thomas Saywell built and once lived in.23


of 27

Bibliography

1. Brimson, Samuel. “The tramways of Australia”, Sydney: Dreamweaver Books 1983.

2. Lawrence, Joan, “Pictorial Memories St George: Rockdale, Kogarah, Hurstville”, Kingsclear Books, 1996,

Published in Australia ISBN 0-908272-45-6

3. NSW Auditor-General's Report, Volume Eight 2011, RAIL CORPORATION NEW SOUTH WALES.

http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/228/12_Volume_Eight_2011_Rail_Corp_NSW.pdf.aspx?E

mbed=Y

4. Rockdale City Council – A Brief History of the City,

http://www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Rockdale_History.aspx

5. History of Brighton-Le-Sands, New South Wales, Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Brighton-Le-Sands, New South Wales

6. Lady Robinson’s Beach - Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Robinsons_Beach

7. Geeves, Philip, 'Saywell, Thomas (1837–1928)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of

Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/saywell-thomas-4540/text7439,

accessed 26 July 2012.

8. The New Brighton Hotel and sea baths at Lady Robinson's Beach, West Botany, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-

article71092624

9. Sydney/Newcastle Tramway History, http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/goddmack.html

10. Year Book Australia 2003

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/09BFC87C87DC317FCA

256CAE00166AB4?opendocument

11. Year Book Australia 2003

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/1301.0~2012~Main%20Features~Consum

er%20Price%20Index%20(CPI)~158

12. Giblin Economics and Commerce Library- Historical Value of the Australian Dollar

http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/collections/ecocom/giblinfaq.html

13. Lady Robinson's Beach. (1887, December 31). Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907),

p. 26. Retrieved August 5, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71092624

trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/71092624

14. Lady Robinson's Beach. (1887, December 31). Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907),

p. 26. Retrieved August 5, 2012, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71092624 trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/71092624

15. Rockdale City Council, Brighton Le Sands Town Centre and Kyeemagh:

http://www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Rockdale_Sub_BrightonleSands.aspx

16. History of the Early Years, Scots College: http://www.tsc.nsw.edu.au/view/about-scots/history/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0908272456

http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/228/12_Volume_Eight_2011_Rail_Corp_NSW.pdf.aspx?Embed=Y

http://www.audit.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/228/12_Volume_Eight_2011_Rail_Corp_NSW.pdf.aspx?Embed=Y

http://www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Rockdale_History.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Brighton-Le-Sands,%20New%20South%20Wales

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Robinsons_Beach

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71092624

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71092624

http://www.railpage.org.au/tram/goddmack.html

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/09BFC87C87DC317FCA256CAE00166AB4?opendocument

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs%40.nsf/94713ad445ff1425ca25682000192af2/09BFC87C87DC317FCA256CAE00166AB4?opendocument

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/1301.0~2012~Main%20Features~Consumer%20Price%20Index%20(CPI)~158

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/by%20Subject/1301.0~2012~Main%20Features~Consumer%20Price%20Index%20(CPI)~158

http://www.lib.unimelb.edu.au/collections/ecocom/giblinfaq.html

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71092624%20trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/71092624




http://www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Rockdale_Sub_BrightonleSands.aspx

http://www.tsc.nsw.edu.au/view/about-scots/history/


of 27

17. BRIGHTON-le-SANDS: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~lorisoesol/tomfrap/BlSands.html

18. K. McCarthy and N. Chinn, “A century of New South Wales tramcars. 1903-1908 /. - vol. 2, Electric era” :

Sydney : South Pacific Electric Railway

19. NSW Office of Environment & Heritage

http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_01_3.cfm?itemid=2330079&imageid=2331446

20. Rathbone R.W., Brighton Le Sands- the suburb that grew from sand hills

21. David R. Keenan, “The Rockdale & Enfield lines of the Sydney tramway system”, Sydney,Transit Press,

c1994.

22. Philip Geeves and James Jervis, “Rockdale; its beginning and development (Revised 1986 by Alderman R.

W. Rathbone)”, Municipal Council of Rockdale

23. Old colonial days of measurements and currency:

http://www.megalongcc.com.au/Ambermere/old_colonial_days_of_measurement.htm

24. Historical demographical data of the state: http://www.populstat.info/Oceania/australp.htm

Notes

1Joan Lawrence, “Pictorial Memories St George: Rockdale, Kogarah, Hurstville”, Kingsclear Books, 1996,

Published in Australia ISBN 0-908272-45-6 p.29, 30.

2The Grand Parade, Brighton Le Sands c 1898 - Cook Park

Photo from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage website

Viewed online 07 August

2012:http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/07_subnav_01_3.cfm?itemid=2330174&imageid=2330350

3R.W. Rathbone, Brighton Le Sands- the suburb that grew from sand hills, p.19

4Philip Geeves, 'Saywell, Thomas (1837–1928)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of

Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/saywell-thomas-4540/text7439,

accessed 29 July 2012, p.1.



7Samuel Brimson, “The tramways of Australia”, Sydney: Dreamweaver Books 1983, p.177

8Gifford H. Eardley, (Gifford Henry), Thomas Saywell's tramway,1887-1914 Rockdale to Lady Robinson

Beach, p.3


10

R.W. Rathbone, Brighton Le Sands- the suburb that grew from sand hills, p.27

11


12


http://home.vicnet.net.au/~lorisoesol/tomfrap/BlSands.html

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~lorisoesol/tomfrap/BlSands.html


http://www.megalongcc.com.au/Ambermere/old_colonial_days_of_measurement.htm

http://www.populstat.info/Oceania/australp.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0908272456



of 27

13

Track 1885-1914, David R. Keenan, “The Rockdale & Enfield lines of the Sydney tramway system”,

Sydney,Transit Press, c1994. P7

14

David R. Keenan, “The Rockdale & Enfield lines of the Sydney tramway system”, Sydney,Transit Press,

c1994. p.5

15David R. Keenan, “The Rockdale & Enfield lines of the Sydney tramway system”, Sydney,Transit Press,

c1994. p.6

16

Philip Geeves and James Jervis, “Rockdale; its beginning and development (Revised 1986 by Alderman R. W.

Rathbone)”, Municipal Council of Rockdale, p.100, 102.

17Philip Geeves and James Jervis, “Rockdale; its beginning and development (Revised 1986 by Alderman R. W.

Rathbone)”, Municipal Council of Rockdale, p.102, 103.


c1994. p.7-8

19


c1994. p.10

20


c1994. p.9


c1994. p.8

22


c1994. p.10

23 The terraces at Brighton Le Sands that Thomas Saywell built and once lived in Photo from the NSW Office of

Environment and Heritage website

Viewed online 08 August



Thomas Saywell's Tramway and the Making of Brighton Le Sands · Thomas Saywell's Tramway and the...

Documents

Transcript of Thomas Saywell's Tramway and the Making of Brighton Le Sands · Thomas Saywell's Tramway and the...