Looking back on South Coast history: October 24 to 26
A miscellany of mules, milk depots and the old Mzimkhulu bridge were up for discussion.
IT seems strange that the first intersection to have traffic lights should be one of the few in Port Shepstone BD that now has none.
October 24
1952
“IT is probable that, by the time this appears in print, the South Coast’s first set of robot traffic lights will be in operation at the intersection of Aiken Street and Masonic Way.”
AND, a stone’s throw away, a park was planned. “The Council has decided to refer to the current estimates the question of making a park in the big ravine to the north-west side of Aiken Street, which is potentially the town’s most important central lung and could be made into a first-class botanical garden.”
1958
“A YOUNG African girl was drowned, roofs were torn off several buildings and severe damage was caused to gardens and crops in the heavy storms which battered the Lower South Coast on Monday and Tuesday.”
1969
“RAINY weather marred to some extent the opening of the Marburg Clinic.
1975
SOMETIMES the repetition is downright boring. “Umtentweni will refuse to be amalgamated with Port Shepstone and Marburg.”
1980
BUT some news defies explanation. “Cars may no longer use Margate’s controversial open air parking garage. A temporary court order restrains anyone from parking there.”
October 25
1946
“AT its October monthly meeting last Monday, the Shepstone Council discussed the implications of a letter from the Minister of Agriculture relative to Mr JA Bergsma’s milk depot project, which is apparently no nearer to materialisation than it was when serious negotiations were opened almost a year ago. The council also received a deputation of businessmen who have a Native Beer Hall proposition to offer to the town.”
1957
“THE South African Railways have offered to sell the old Mzimkhulu road and rail bridge at Port Shepstone to the Southern Natal Public Bodies’ Association for the nominal price of £900.”
1968
FIGURES given by the Water Corporation showed that domestic water used had increased by 36 percent in two years to over 600-million gallons a year.
1974
The situation in local politics was seldom smooth sailing. “Bendigo Ratepayers’ Association hopes to have the majority of the present Town Board kicked out of office on election day.”
1985
PLANS for the development at Bhobhoyi River, described as one of the most spectacular resort projects ever envisaged in southern Africa, were unveiled to investors this week.
1985
DAGGA weighing 995kg has been seized on the Lower South Coast this month.
1985
SIXTY-NINE Indian and coloured families who faced eviction from their homes on November 30 to make way for the new South Coast freeway have been granted an extension of 12 months.
1985
A CARNIVAL atmosphere prevailed as bargain-hunters streamed into the Knowles Centre in Margate after the ribbon had been cut by the mayoress.
1985
EDUCATIONAL nature trail opened at Oribi Gorge.
October 26
1951
AT Wednesday’s council meeting, Councillor WA Rees presented striking figures in substantiation of his contention that there is an almost general tendency for business and professional people earning their livelihoods in Margate to build outside the borough.
1951
THE Union Mail Coach Organising Committee has made an urgent appeal to owners of horses and mules to assist the committee by supplying them with teams on loan.
1956
AT last someone has taken up, with the proper authorities, the serious matter of the blight that threatens to exterminate the South Coast’s beautiful hibiscus plants. The Division of Entomology of the Department of Agriculture, Pretoria, knows very little about the incidence, let alone the nature, of the present widespread scourge and has asked for the cooperation of residents in gathering the necessary data.
1984
A R17,5-MILLION retirement village is to be built in Port Edward. Developers behind this project are the Banners Rest retirement Village Trust.
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