The Collection Box - Australian folklore

Do you know this song about Cobb and Co?

This issue we are asking for your help to track down the remaining verses of a very interesting song about Cobb and Co. It was composed by William James (Bill) Maloney who drove his coaches between Sofala and Hill End and was in fierce competition with Cobb and Co. Bill Maloney, who was a wit and a picturesque figure, wrote the song which he used to sing to his passengers. One verse ran:

Now look here Cobb and Co., a lesson taker from me,
When you meet me on the road don't you make too free;
For if you do you'll surely rue,
You think you do it fine;
But I'm a tip-and-slasher on the Tambaroora line.

The above verse is mentioned in a booklet by Will Lawson called Bathurst The Golden which was issued on the occasion150th anniversary of the founding of Australia when Bathurst itself was 123 years old.

Does anyone have a copy of the remaining verses?
Please email us with your ideas and contributions.

Extract from Bathurst the Golden by Will Lawson, p.15 printed in Bathurst 1938

COBB AND CO. MOVE WESTWARD

When the railway reached Bathurst the city had become a centre of coaching activity. On every road leading to the diggings and to western towns, the coaches of Cobb and Co. and a few rivals ran regular services. The offices of Cobb and Co. were in Howick Street where the School of Arts now stands, and their coach-building works at the bottom of William Street, next to the Police Barracks, and near the cairn. Every morning the company's coaches stood in a line outside the office, each with its destination displayed on the sides. As the hour of departure struck on the town clock, the coach horns blew and they dashed away with a flourish of whips and thudding of hoofs, on journeys that would be thought heroic in these days.

cobb and co coach One of the most important routes was that to Sofala and Hill End. On this run Cobb and Co. had a stubborn rival in William James (Bill) Maloney, who was there long before the Victorian firm came to Bathurst. When he arrived Rutherford had bought out Patrick Coyle, Maloney's rival. A fierce war at once started between Rutherford and Maloney. Maloney dropped his fares till they stood at half-a-crown for third-class. When asked who comprised third-class passengers, Maloney replied that he carried three classes: first-class who rode all the way, up hill or down, second-class who walked up the hills, and third-class who pushed. Jim Lowe was a well-known Cobb and Co. driver on the run. He was an old rival of Bill Maloney before Cobb. and Co. came.

When Maloney announced his half-crown. fare, Rutherford advertised that his coaches were carrying luggage and mails only. When passengers asked for accommodation, he sent them to Maloney but took their luggage at tonnage rates. While Maloney lost on carrying passengers, Rutherford made a profit in carrying their luggage. In spite of this competition, however, Rutherford and Maloney were good friends, and Cobb and Co. eventually sold the run to Maloney, Rutherford giving him also a new coach and a set of five-horse harness.