Looking back on South Coast history: September 13 to 15
Plans were laid and progress made, albeit slowly in some cases.
DUSTY streets before the rains were as much cause for complaint as muddy streets after a deluge.
September 13
1935
“ALL are agreed that something will have to be done to abate the dust nuisance.”
BUT things were happening on other fronts… “The many enquirers about the new X-ray plant will be pleased to learn that the tenders close on September 25 for the construction of the building to house the plant; so that, by the time the builders are finished, then the electricians, to say nothing of the delivery of the plant itself, methinks that if Father Christmas falls down any chimney, he will still have to go to Durban to be X-rayed.”
AND some of the progress was actually visible. “It is pleasing to note that building operations have commenced on post office outbuildings.”
1974
“A LOWER South Coast bus service for whites will be launched on October 1. It will operate between Margate and Anerley on a seven-days-a-week basis.”
September 14
1951
“NEARLY 500 runs were scored in 270 minutes at Paddock last Sunday, when Margate and Port Shepstone Town cricket clubs met in their first friendly game of the season. It was a grand day’s play under conditions that favoured the batsmen and produced a lot of leather-hunting in the fast outfield – and beyond.”
1982
THERE was good news for Port Shepstone’s development when the mayor, Johnny Wragge, announced the town had been declared an industrial deconcentration point, with such good incentives “that it was almost as if government would pay entrepreneurs to run their factories.”
September 15
1950
THE South Coast mourned the death of General Smuts. “There will be a memorial service in the Town Hall, Margate at 10.30am and another in the Port Shepstone Memorial Hall at 3pm today, Friday. Ministers of the various Christian denominations will conduct these combined services.”
1961
“SARDINES are on the run again and, according to Durban anglers, they are heading this way. How long it will take before they get here is anyone’s guess, but now is the time for their return trip.”
1972
“MARGATE’S new airport should be in use by the end of this year.”
1989
“SHELLY Beach is to have a land-based sewerage scheme.”
BUT the sea wasn’t spared another kind of pollution. “An oil slick, 7km long and 3km wide, was spotted off the Lower South Coast.”
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