Busselton to Caves House Taxi Service Diaries

Mr Percy Smith Bignell was born in Deniliquin, Victoria, on the 2nd April 1874. He arrived in this state in 1898, spending about a year at Kalgoorlie and then came to Busselton to take charge of a pharmacy for Mr Curtin, in premises in Albert Street (about opposite to where Dr Cullen’s). After a short time he left Busselton and went to Collie for a few months, but returned again to open his own business as a chemist in Prince Street, (in the vicinity of Piper’s Drapery). He later transferred his pharmacy to premises in Queen Street and carried on business there until he sold out to Mr Edgar Coates in, 1924. These premises were later taken over by the Commonwealth Bank when they opened a branch at Busselton in 1947.
Dispensing medicines was not his only occupation during those years as shortly after coming to Busselton he saw the need for transport to convey visitors to the recently discovered Yallingup Caves. In 1901 therefore, he commenced the service with a “four-in-hand buggy”. It was soon necessary to use a horse-coach to cope with the passenger traffic, and, in 1908, this was superseded by a motor-coach, the first motor vehicle to come south of Perth. This was a solid-tyre chain-driven Starr Coach.
1914 saw a further extension of his activities when he took over the mail run to Augusta – proceeding via Yallingup along Caves Road and Carter’s Road to Margaret River and then on to Augusta. He always arrived at his destination, fair weather or foul, loaded with mail and all kinds of packages, and passengers with their luggage – a load that often taxed the capacity of the car beyond stretching point. Difficult as it may have been, passengers and cargo always arrived at the port of call, safely delivered, and with a smile and a friendly word. He was remembered long afterwards for his cheerful and kindly service during the years he drove the mail car from Busselton to Augusta. Caves Road at the time was not particulary adapted to moter transport. This service ended when the railway line was constructed at the beginning of the Group Settlement era. For a short time the Government took over the service. In 1924, however, Mr Bignell again secured the contract for Caves House and he operated it till Mr Clem Bignell (his son) took over in 1938 and ran it until 1946 when private cars came into the picture – and it did not pay sufficiently.
Some of the drivers during the 1924-1938 period were Mr Len Goddard, Mr Frank Wilkinson and Mr Jim Mitchell, who are probably remembered by some of the older residents of Busselton.
When Mr Bignell sold his pharmacy in 1924 he opened a garage and took over General Motors Vehicle Agency. He continued to run the garage until 1938 when he sold the business to his son, Clem Bignell.
During the years Mr Bignell was engaged in horse transport, he conducted a large livery stable which was situated on the corner of Queen and Kent Streets where he later opened his garage (now Dorset Motors). He also purchased a 2,000 acre farm known as “Woodlands” on the Coast Road between Yallingup and Margaret River where he grazed many horses. He retained this property shortly before his death and took a keen interest in experimenting with scientific farming.
In 1900 Mr Percy Bignell married Miss Henrietta McDaniel and they first made their home in premises at the side of the pharmacy in Queen Street. About 1906 Mr Bignell purchased a large gey stone house in Kent Street near their business premises. A right-of-way divided the livery stable form their property and a fine big tennis court was between the business and the house. This house was built sonn after the turn of the century for Justice Baron Locke who was to have married a Miss Lockhart, but this marriage did not eventuate and the house for a few years was run as aguest house by the first Mrs Ost, before becoming the home of Mr and Mrs Bignell and their family.
Mrs Bignell died in 1947. Mr Bignell continued to live in the home with his daughter Gloria until his death in February 1954. The home was demolished a few years ago by the Apexians. The old home near the pharmacy in Queen Street, and which fronted a lawn, is now part of Mooney’s premises – (Hobson’s).
Despite his busy life with the pharmacy and then the mail run, Mr Bignell found time to take a very great interest in public affairs and in the sporting world. He was Mayor of Busselton , 1909, and served for many years as a Councillor of the Busselton Municipal Council. He was also a Justice of the Peace for many years and was also a Time-Secretary for the Southern Districts Agricultural Society, of which he was a member. For over 50 years.
He became widely well known in the Bowling World of that era. He was a foundation member of the Busselton Bowling Club and played in all but two of the Annual Carnivals up to 1954. He Was also widely known in the Eastern States as he attended every Carnival conducted by the Australian Bowling Association, and was a manager for the W.A. contingent on a number of occasions. In his younger days he was a chamoions cyclist and footballer, winning many trophies.
Mr Bignell ranks as a pioneer of transport of mail in this area, as roads were merely bush tracks and many hazards had to be overcome. Whereas today, with the fast cars and straight black roads it is a mere hour’s drive to Augusta.
Mr Clem Bignell, his son, and his daughter Gloria, Mrs A McDaniel, are both still in business in the town.
Compiled from Branch Records and from some information supplied by Mr C Bignell by Mrs Eileen Dunkley.
Busselton Historical Society (INC) Newsletter April 1971