Looking back on South Coast history: June 6 to 8
Roads, transport and the seasonal favourite of sardines all featured this week.
THERE’S one topic that be guaranteed to crop up at this time of year.
June 6
1958
“IF the weather prospects remain good the experts are predicting a bumper sardine run.”
AND people’s needs were not forgotten. “The surf safety enclosure at the beach serving Ramsgate and Baven-on-Sea will be ready for the July season.”
1975
“OPPOSITION to the Marburg Town Board’s request that the town go multi-racial is strong – and it is growing.”
And a warning… “Port Shepstone’s two ambulances are now getting very tired and are in need of replacement.”
1982
ROADS were always in the news. “The Natal administration is hoping to complete the Port Edward to Ramsgate road by 1985.”
June 7
1935
“IT should not be long before Margate has its own aerodrome at which visitors from the Rand and elsewhere can safely land.”
BUT local transport left a lot to be desired. “Residents from Umzumbe and other resorts are prevented by the train service from shopping in Port Shepstone and returning the same afternoon; while the schoolchildren cannot get home after school.”
AND the Umtentweni budget was announced. “The revenue from all sources has been estimated to produce £245.6.0 and the expenditure at £213.14.0, leaving a balance of £31.12.0.”
1963
“MARGATE Rotarians have donated R2 500 to the Good Samaritan Society for its fund for establishing a Village of Happiness for the aged on the Lower South Coast.”
1968
ANOTHER recurring problem. “The drought is considered to be the worst in 20 years and is due to insufficient summer rainfall.”
1985
“A FINAL decision on the future of the proposed multiracial Natal Parks Board holiday resort at Palm Beach will probably be reached next week.”
MEANWHILE… “Province is to spend R7,7-million on roads, additions to schools and the Port Shepstone Hospital and on other facilities on the Lower South Coast over the next two years.”
June 8
1951
LOCALS predicted… “Sardines next week – perhaps”, pointing out: “The blooming of beach aloes and the travelling south of sea birds is as good an indication that sardine shoals are approaching as any modern theory that can be advanced.”
1962
THE Natal provincial secretary disclosed that the Natal Netters Association had been exempted from obtaining the written consent of local authorities for operation of seine nets until December 31, 1962.
AND the ongoing saga of a bridge moves to the next chapter. “After the many years, indeed a lifetime, of sustained endeavour to obtain a bridge across the Umtamvuna river, it must be a matter of intense satisfaction and of enormous economic importance to us in southern Natal to know that this bridge is to be built at last.”
1979
“IT is high time the licensing department had a shake-up in order that it should learn its responsibility to the public.” Nearly 40 years later, we are still saying the same thing!
1990
“SENIOR Port Shepstone borough officials are supervising the administration of the Bendigo Town Board.”
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