Page 63 - KBHA Bulletin 10

60

This was a huge cemetery given the fact that the Municipal population in 1904
numbered only some 3,600 persons and the death rate was about 40 / year. At that rate

the cemetery would suffice for the next 750 years. Laying out of the cemetery got under
way immediately in order to have it ready by the 1 September deadline.

The end of the search

On 21 December 1902 all burials in the old cemeteries ceased. However, that date
passed and the Engineer and his men were still at work because they had run up against

another problem: the gale-force south-easters that swept the site. In January 1903 the
Engineer reported that “on occasion the work of one day had to be done again the next

on account of the drift of sand.” The sand problem seems to have become

insurmountable. So, in May the Council was approached by Canon Brooke and Father
Duignam over progress with the cemetery and it was they who finally broke the

impasse. (Figs. 2.7 & 2.8).

The Wynberg Times: 9 May, 1903.

No Cemetery

A deputation consisting of Canon Brooke and Father Duignam was now admitted and
implored the Council to provide some place where the dead could be interred with
decency. The mayor explained that £650 had been spent up to the present on the spot
chosen but with almost no result, owing to the South East wind continually drifting the
sand, forming holes in some places and heaps in another. It was suggested that it be
fenced in and planted with Port JacksonWillows. The clerk informed the Council that
st
by Government order all their burial places were declared closed from 21 December
last, consequently they had at present no legal right to bury. Father Duignam drew a
vivid picture of the results of burying on the Hillside and it was resolved that no more
bodies be buried there, it being disgraceful and injurious to health. The advisability of
arranging to bury at Maitland, of acquiring ground at Retreat, or of proceeding on the
present site, was fully discussed. Ultimately Canon Brooke said he believed there was a
suitable piece of ground about 40 acres not far from the Military road and towards
Retreat; on consulting the plan it was found to belong to the Municipality and it was
thereupon resolved that the Council accompanied by Canon Brooke and Father
Duignam should inspect it on Friday morning and further consideration of the matter
was therefore adjourned until after the inspection.