Eggs – Almost Unavailable and then Enough to Export (1875 – 1939)

CAPE ARGUS - 1875, April 27 & 1939, December 19

EGGS! EGGS! EGGS!

Well, Marm, I have been all over the Town

And can’t buy Eggs for less than half a crown

The dozen, and run the chances of a Chicken.

Well, Mary, put on your bonnet quick,

And go to JEFFRIES, get a pack of Egg Powder made by BORWICK,

And as the time is short, and the S.E. blows hard,

You may not at SPOLANDERS’ get Fat, so bring a pound of Lard.

Egg Powder on sale at 41 Plein Street, Opposite Lelie Street, in a direct line with the Foundation Stone of the New Houses of Parliament, and the Time Ball of the Signal Hill, Cape Town.

(THE STAR Johannesburg - 1918, January 26)

CAKE WITHOUT EGGS, MILK OR BUTTER 

The following recipe shows how an appetizing, wholesome cake can be made without expensive ingredients. In most recipes the number of eggs may be reduced one-half or more and often left out altogether by using an additional quantity of Royal Baking Powder, about a teaspoon, in place of each egg omitted. (The old method (fruit cake) called for 2 eggs.)

EGGLESS, MILKLESS, BUTTERLESS CAKE

1 cup brown sugar	1 teaspoon nutmeg
1¼ cups water	1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup seeded raisins	½ teaspoon salt
2 ounces citron, cut fine	2 cups flour
⅓ cup shortening	5 teaspoons Royal Baking Powder

DIRECTIONS

Boil sugar, water, fruit, shortening, salt and spices together in saucepan 3 minutes. When cool, add flour and baking powder which have been sifted together; mix well. Bake in loaf pan in moderate oven about 45 minutes.

New book of recipes which economize in eggs and other expensive ingredients mailed free.

Address P. O. Box 219, Cape Town.

ROYAL BAKING POWDER

Makes Home Baking Economical

THE STAR Johannesburg - 1918, January 7

BRITISH FOOD PROBLEMS:

MEAT SHORTAGE

The Meat Shortage is becoming more acute. The Director of Meat Supplies announces a probable restriction by 25 percent in the supplies to butchers compared with October. It is believed the ultimate restriction will be 50 percent.

Lord Rhondda threatens to commandeer cattle if supplies are withheld. The control of the price of fish is fore-shadowed, especially of the kinds consumed by the poorer classes. - Reuter

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, December 19

BRITAIN BUYS MEAT, EGGS, BUTTER, CHEESE AND MAIZE FROM UNION

It is understood that negotiations are proceeding between the British and Union Governments for the export of South African meat to the United Kingdom.

The export of large quantities is not expected, but the meat which is exported will be sent under improved conditions provided by the Meat Control Board.

It is stated on good authority that the exportable egg output of South Africa for the present season has been bought by Great Britain, as well as the exportable output of butter and cheese up to March 31, 1940.

In addition to Britain’s participation in the South African wool market it is understood that it is also supporting the Union maize market.

During the present record season, which has provided an exportable surplus of maize of nearly 1,500,000 tons, the British Government has been the principal buyer through the Maize Control Board. – Sapa-Reuter. 

Petrol problem solved in SA and SWA

CAPE ARGUS - 1939, March 22

Petrol reserves were referred to by the Minister of Defence, Mr. O. Pirow, when he surveyed the Union’s defences in the Assembly last evening.

Mr. Pirow said the Government was considering the possibilities of alcohol being produced from Natal sugar cane, and also whether oil might not be converted into petrol in time of need.

About a year ago a departmental committee was appointed to consider proposals submitted by the Natal sugar industry. The scheme was dependent on the compulsory mixing of petrol and alcohol. Similar proposals submitted to the Government some years ago for the compulsory mixing of petrol and alcohol produced from maize were rejected. The committee has not completed its investigation yet.

Private companies in Natal and Germiston are producing annually about 3 000000 gallons of alcohol from sugar cane and maize.

The committee last year recommended a survey of coal deposits to see what supplies of coal were suitable for the Fisher-Tropsch and hydrogenation processes for converting coal into oil and petrol. It also recommended that tests be carried out on a fairly large scale. This is still being considered by the Government.

Plans for distilling maize and sugar cane can be obtained from a number of countries.

SWA petrol problem solved

A South-West African farmer, Mr. J. Delport, has solved his fuel problem, with petrol at from 2s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. (in isolated parts) a gallon. Gas is generated by passing water over burning charcoal and used with a ten percent admixture of petrol vapour, 150 miles of running being obtained from a sackful of charcoal and a gallon of petrol. (CAPE TIMES - 1933, April 21)

Production of South African Spirit

The first step towards the production of South African petrol was taken last night with the delivery of 25 000 gallons of crude petroleum to the refining plant of the South African Torbanite Mining and Refining Company at Boksburg. This photograph shows Mr. Stirling, manager of the S.A.T.M.A.R., directing pumping operations. 

(THE STAR Johannesburg - 1935, September 19) 

Have a look at the petrol prices on 1918, January 7

(THE STAR Johannesburg)