Durban becomes a City

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, August 2

There was a distinguished gathering at the Durban City Hall when an extraordinary meeting of the City Council was held to mark the attainment of the status of a city by the Borough of Durban. The right was conferred on Durban to call itself a city by a recent ordinance of the Provincial Council after an application by the Town Council.

At this morning’s ceremony the Mayor, Dr. S. Copley, described the rapid growth of Durban from a few shacks on a sandy waste 100 years ago to the flourishing industrial and commercial centre of today. He declared that the strongest foundation the city could be built on was that of diversified industrial interests.

A resolution to the King was passed.

Durban Yachting and Boating

CAPE TIMES - 1924, May 29

Not the least of Durban’s many attractions is the Bay which at all times affords delightful diversion and upon which many happy hours can be spent. Whether one’s fancy inclines to yachting, rowing, motorboat cruising or fishing, all are ready at hand.

Durban has an incomparable stretch of sheltered and almost land-locked water of some eight square miles for the indulgence of these sports. The Bay’s surface is gay with the white wings of yachts, motorboats moving swiftly to and fro, the contests of oarsmen, in pairs, fours and eights, the rowing or motorboats of fishermen scouting from one favourite spot to another in great expectation of landing a “bender” before the day is done or the recreation of those, less professional, who are content with a quiet sail or row on its sunny waters.

Read more about the Bluff, Victoria Embankment (Esplanade), Congella where a large area of swampy ground has been reclaimed for many industries and manufactories, Salisbury Island, Motor launches between the Esplanade and the Island, the Bay for surfing, rock fishing or yachting competitions between the Royal Natal Yacht Club, the Point Yacht Club and the other leading Clubs of the Union.

Durban Paper Mill Project

CAPE TIMES - 1933, September 27

The proposal to erect a £300 000 paper mill on the banks of the Umgeni River is still the subject of keen controversy in Durban.

The site is on the south bank of the Umgeni in the same area as the Country Club and the aerodrome, and although there are industries on both sides of the railway line, the Town Council has contemplated the development of the area as a recreation ground.

Durban is keen on having the factory which will use bagasse, a waste product from the sugar mills, but there is a strong body of opinion against the Council allowing it to interfere with its policy of zoning.

In a statement today, Mr. Graham MacKeurtan, who is chairman of the Natal Estates, Ltd., the company responsible for the proposed industry, emphasized that the Umgeni site was the only suitable site within economic distance of Mount Edgecombe, whence the bagasse will come, and with the necessary quantity of water.

“I can say definitely that our expert advice compels us to the view that if we cannot get this site, we shall not be able to establish the industry in Natal,” said Mr. MacKeurtan.

He disclosed that the company had been experimenting on papermaking for four years, and had spent thousands of pounds on the project.

Crowd at Greyville for the July Handicap

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, July 8

An impression of the crowd at the Greyville racecourse on Saturday during the parade of horses before the running of the Durban July Handicap. The sky was overcast and the day was cold, but luckily the rain held off until after the big race. It is estimated that the attendance was in the neighbourhood of 30 000.

Durban Airport

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, August 2

Durban Airport at the time of the July Handicap, with a host of aerial visitors. Though it has been abandoned by the South African Airways headquarters staff,   Stamford Hill is still one of the great termini of the air.

Durban The Point

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, August 3

The new club-house of the Point Yacht Club, Durban, opened today, is an ultra-modern building, as may be seen from the photograph, taken at low tide in the Bay. The Durban Rowing Club headquarters are shown in the right background.

Stormy Seas at Durban

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, August 19

A high wind, blustering along the coast caused heavy seas at Durban over the week-end, and the port authorities had an anxious time. On the right of this photograph is the Baron Maclay, whose mooring chain broke, causing her to drift on to the Manila, shown on the left. The anchor cable of the Baron Maclay is seen on the right, and beyond that is the stern of a tug, one of four shich tried unsuccessfully to haul off the Baron Maclay. Next to the mast of the Manila can be seen the jib of a floating crane which, with a barge, were lodged between the two boats, a move which prevented damage.

Stormy seas at Durban

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, January 5

Pounded by heavy seas during the Christmas and New Year holidays, a great deal of Durban’s beach has again disappeared into the Indian ocean. This picture shows how the sea has battered the promenade and made of the sand a miniature cliff.

Hotter in Durban

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, February 6

It’s hotter in Durban than it is in Cape Town, with the result that these children are allowed to attend classes dressed merely in bathing trunks or short trousers. “They work better like this,” their teacher declares.

Keeping fit on Durban beach

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, December 20

Keeping fit on Durban Beach: Scenes like this take place on the beach at Durban every morning now that physical culture classes have been started under the auspices of the Municipal Entertainments Department.

Come to Robertson for your Holiday – Come to Stay

CAPE ARGUS - 1927, August 4

Robertson (but half-a-day’s journey from Cape Town) is most beautifully situated, with mountains surrounding. It is well laid out, and the scenery alone is worth a visit to Robertson. 

COMMERCE IN ROBERTSON

Dried Fruit Factories, Distilleries and Wineries form the major section of industrial activities. Robertson offers a splendid opportunity for a considerable industrial expansion.

SOCIAL LIFE IN ROBERTSON

The Dutch Reformed church is a feature of Robertson and well worth seeing. A Library and Reading Rooms provide for those of literary taste. Patrons of the Theatre will find the splendid bioscope and entertainment hall absolutely modern. Entertainers seldom fail to pay Robertson a visit, and the town does not lack in dances.

SPORT IN ROBERTSON

A fine recreation ground provides for Football, Hockey and Cricket. Tennis Courts, Croquet Court and a nine-hole Golf Course provide for those of other tastes. Boating, Bathing and Fishing in the Breede River, are within easy reach of the town. There is Mountaineering is the neighbourhood; the foot of most of the peaks is easily reached by motor.

CAPE TIMES - 1933, April 25

A PARADISE FOR PICNICKERS

Some delightful spots are within easy reach of Robertson by motor-car. There is, for instance, the De Hoop drive to the mountains – a winding way with farms clinging to the slopes of the foothills and nestling in the valleys. The scenery all the way is splendid and the traveler gains some idea of the remarkable fertility of the farms. From Burger’s farm it is a short walk to the waterfall. Robertson gets its drinking water supply from this spot, which with other places in the neighbourhood, is a magnet for picnickers. The grandeur of the Langebergen range dominates this part of the district.

Equally popular is the short drive to Dassies Hoek. From the town the road leads to a square-shaped cleft in the mountains known as the Window Ledge. Winding up the foothills in easy gradients, the motorist passes works where a good quality lime has been produced from the blue limestone of the mountain. From the top of a hill the farms of Dassies Hoek are seen perched on the mountain side and extending down the valley. But for the absence of chalets, the scenery is typically Swiss in character. At the river there is a poplar grove frequented by picnickers. Higher up is another waterfall which splashes into an almost circular canyon. The scenery here, as elsewhere on the slopes of the mountain chain, has a singular charm. From here a bird’s eye view may be had of the main features of the fertile and beautiful Garden district. A short and very pleasant little drive is the one through the Government plantations to the Silver Strand on the Breede River. Here a fine stretch of sand and safe boating and bathing are enduring attractions to town people. Robertson’s roads are good, and its scenic resources endless. Those who wish to go further afield than the spots mentioned may take the road through the smiling valleys down to the famous Cogman’s Kloof. Here, and at Zandvliet in particular, they will find farms second to none in South Africa. Robertson itself, it may be added, is an easy four hours’ drive from Cape Town. A more pleasant spot away from the hustle of the city could not be desired.