Looking back on South Coast history: July 25 to 28
With the relatively dry winter in these parts being a good season for building, it is also the time when one sees the objections to some developments.
WAY back in 1958, bag limits weren’t quite what they are today, as the July 25 edition of the South Coast Herald witnesses.
July 25
1958
“SHAD are now biting freely all along the coast and some very big bags have recently been recorded. In furnishing a return of 113 fish aggregating 180 pounds, the Southport club established its own record.
1975
AS sometimes happens, the coast experienced four seasons in a week in 1975. “Suffocating heat and snow; burning breezes and icy gales; rain competing with runaway fires; power failures and pounding seas – the South Coast had the lot this week.”
1980
“ON Monday the Marburg Immigration Settlement Board was given the right to revoke a donation of land to the Indian community – which was made 19 years ago – unless a positive move is made to develop the site for a trade school within six months.”
July 26
1946
A GREAT future for the South Coast was predicted by the Administrator of Natal, when he carried out his first official function in Margate, the opening of the new town offices.
1957
PORT Shepstone Country Club’s new clubhouse lounge was opened with a dance for club members and their guests. An orchestra played, refreshments were provided and it was a classy affair, with dress code being evening dress or lounge suits. All this for 10 shillings for a double ticket.
1968
THE issue of roads is one that has plagued the South Coast since early settlement. At first there were none, then they weren’t maintained (that sounds familiar) and, when new ones were planned, not everyone agreed as to where they should go. “A resolution, urgently requesting the Department of Transport to move the proposed South Coast freeway further inland was unanimously carried by a special meeting held at the Umtentweni Town Board offices.”
1974
“TARGET date for the long-discussed establishment of an independent Indian local authority of Port Shepstone and Marburg is August 1 next year.”
“RECOMMENDATIONS for the zoning of all Natal beaches on a race basis will be made within the next two months.”
July 27
1951
THE Herald called it ‘A tragic instance of land despoilation’; the landowners had a different view. The argument was to rage for some time to come. “On its northern bank, within half a mile of where the Ibilanhlolo river flows into the Blue Lagoon at Ramsgate, there is being perpetrated one of the most ghastly acts of land rape that ever turned a soil conservationist’s dreams into a nightmare. Against the pleadings of the local authority and in defiance of the specific advice of experts, a hillside of the most exquisite natural beauty is being bulldozed to complete ruination.”
1952
“LAST week we were shown the rough layout, editorial matter and photographs for what promises to be a first-class publicity brochure for Margate.”
1962
THE Member of Parliament for this area, Douglas Mitchell, was vehemently opposed to the Nationalist Party government and its plans. “Here in Natal the proposed Zulustan is to consist of three separate areas stretching from Zululand proper to Harding with corridors occupied by Europeans in between. The sheer impracticability of this proposal, not to mention the menace always implicit in corridors as history has proved over and over, the government refuses to recognise.”
1982
“PORT Shepstone householders are becoming desperate about soot from the Umzimkulu Sugar Mill, which, for many years, has made their homes, furniture and curtains grubby.
July 28
1967
SOME developments were, however, not at all contentious. “THE Village of Happiness was officially opened on Saturday, July 22 by the acting State President, Mr JF Naude.”
“THE new health committee, Bendigo, comes into existence on August 1. This will be brought about by the amalgamation of Anerley, Sea Park, Southport and Sunwich Port.”
1981
“UMTENTWENI ratepayers intend demanding the immediate resignation of all members of the town board.”
1989
“PORT Shepstone magisterial district is 100 years old.”
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