Looking back on South Coast history: October 3 to 6

PORT Shepstone’s parking problems are nothing new.

October 3

1969
“WORK is going ahead with the installation of parking meters in the central area of Port Shepstone.”

1986
WHILE Margate was building new attractions… “Work has begun on a R250 000 bird park and restaurant in Margate.”

PORT Shepstone lost one of its favourites. “With passengers dressed in period costume. Port Shepstone railway station was taken back 70 years in time last Saturday when Port Shepstone Rotary Club hosted the last official passenger run of the Banana Express.”

October 4

1935
“LIVING in such a widely scattered district, catering as a holiday resort, one is most forcibly struck by the lack of adequate signposts.” Eighty years down the line, nothing much has changed.

1974
“LAST week in parliament out MP, ‘Dutchie’ van Coller, pleaded for the establishment of a harbour on the South Coast.”

1985
POWER outages are nothing new either. “The first mayoral induction in the new town hall was saved when the hall’s emergency generator was activated.”

SOLVING the road problem was not popular with everyone. “Sixty-nine Indian and coloured families face eviction from their homes on November 30 to make way for the new South Coast freeway. Tenants claim that they were not informed that the area had been expropriated.”

AND building regulations get in the way… “Council stops work on Margate Sands because developers failed to comply with the floor area ratio in terms of the town planning scheme.”

October 5

1951
“MR FO Blackman, representative at Margate of the Royal Humane Society, has received notification from the society’s headquarters in London that Archibald and Aubrey Cowan, brother members of the Margate Surf Lifesaving Club, have been awarded the society’s bronze medal and certificate.”

AND there was more good news… “Margate is one of the most progressive centres in Natal and it is staggering to reflect that, in a matter of 10 years, the market value of individual lots there has increased from £200 to £2 000. These opinions were expressed by the Administrator of Natal, Mr DG Shepstone, at a Faerie Glen luncheon last Friday.”

1956
“THE saving of two bathers from the surf at Margate main beach on Monday morning was one of the most courageous and sensational ever effected by the Margate Surf Lifesaving Club.”

1958
THE wrong time of year – but nobody told the sardines. “Those little fish were back again this week – and local angling authorities are scratching their heads in bewilderment.”

October 6

1950
MARGATE’S mayor was defeated in a photo finish. “In one of the most exciting contests on record, Mr Jenkins wrested the Ward II vacancy from Mr Sheffield by 75 votes to 68.”

1961
“HISTORY was made in Port Shepstone this week when, at a sitting of the Circuit Court of the Supreme Court, Acting Justice BD Burne imposed a sentence of hanging for the crime of murder. This is the first time the capital sentence has been imposed in Port Shepstone.”

1967
“STRONG complaints were voiced of the trunk service facilities at the Port Shepstone post office.” At least one thing has improved in the last 50 years.

1972
“HERCULES’ landing marks opening of new Margate Airport.”

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