Convicts & Colonials: Communication

The Darling Downs Gazette on 18 November 1858, carried an interesting article about the postal service in Ipswich. It read:

It is an interesting event in the history of civilization in Ipswich, that we have now the services of a postman. It is a curious anomaly that at the same time scarcely a householder in the town knows what street it is he lives in, unless he chance to reside in Brisbane, Bell, Nicholas, Ellenborough, or Wharf-street, all of which are grouped near to the Post Office. I believe the force of necessity will bring about before long some change in this matter. But as you have many readers here I would take the opportunity of offering a suggestion to the inhabitants  generally and to the authorities more particularly. Although it may be possible to obtain for the post of letter carrier a person who is intimately acquainted with the names and residence of almost every man in the town, this cannot be depended upon. That the public may derive real benefit from the services of this functionary it is necessary that he should be able to deliver most of the letters which come into his hands without more than a few hours delay. As it is almost all the letters may be expected to bear the very definite address "Ipswich." When the frequent changes of residence are superadded to the mystification of similar names, and the mysterious spelling and writing, and when the rapid change in mens occupations is considered, it would seem that not here is no easy task. There is only one thing which would effectually simplify the business; names; that persons writing from the town should habitually date their letters from the street they live in. But it is not likely they will learn to do this until the name of the street has grown familiar. Nothing would go further to bring about such a revolution than the painting up at each conspicuous corner of every street in the town, the name of the street. This would cost very little; and when it is remembered that all these street were named years ago, when most of them were not to be distinguished from the surrounding bush; and that nearly every allotment now built upon has changed hands, while the deeds of transfer have specified the name of the street; it is truly astonishing that so much should have been done to fix the name, and so little to publish it. To familiarise everybody with the name is surely the easiest and most certain method of perpetuating it. In offering this suggestion, I ought to add that a sort of remedy for the evils which must result from confusion, is held to any person willing to pay two guineas annually for the privilege of a private box.

Time table of the arrival and despatch of the mails, from J. Cox & Co's Australian Almanac, 1858

Drayton and Ipswich

To leave Drayton every Thursday and Monday at 4 a.m., and arrive at Ipswich same days at 8 p.m.; and, on return, to leave Ipswich every Sunday and Thursday at 4 a.m., and arrive at Drayton at 8 p.m. of the same days.

Ipswich and Brisbane

To leave Ipswich every Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday at 8 a.m., and arrive at Brisbane at 1 p.m. same day; and, on return, to leave Brisbane on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 8 a.m., reaching Ipswich at 1 p.m. same day.

Warwick and Ipswich, via Cunningham's Gap

To leave Ipswich every Monday at 6 a.m. (unless detained by the Ipswich Postmaster for arrival of Sydney Steamer at Brisbane), and to arrive at Warwick on Tuesday at noon; and, on return, to leave Warwick on Friday at 6 a.m., and reach Ipswich on Saturday at noon.