Page 70 - KBHA Bulletin 10
P. 70
67
January 1904 the total had risen to13. Burial charges were set at 40s for an adult and
30s for a child. The pauper fee was 17s 6d. Mr. Gower was appointed Superintendent in
charge of the cemetery.
The fate of the old burial grounds subsequent to 1903
At Holy Trinity, notwithstanding its closure at the end of 1903, requests were received
from time to time that further burials be allowed. One such was the request on 8 August
1909, made by Canon Richard Brooke, Rector of Holy Trinity, to Dr. Gregory the
Colonial MOH, on behalf of well-known local resident Mr. R. Fish. Mr. Fish desired
that his wife be buried with the rest of her family in the churchyard. The responses were
rapid, on the same day in fact, and letters pointed out that consent would have to be
forthcoming from the Municipality and His Excellency the Colonial Governor, and that
it was doubtful that H.E. would approve even if the Municipality approved. The whole
consent process would also take some time. Mr. Fish was therefore obliged to bury his
wife at Muizenberg.
The churchyard used to be more extensive than it is today as the boundary wall was set
back in 1927 to make space for the road-widening scheme. Many graves were exhumed
in the process. It remains today a place of contemplation and is an inseparable part of
the character of Kalk Bay.
Hillside Cemetery at the end of Quarterdeck Road is zoned as public open space and
when the grass is cut periodically the outlines of graves can still be seen in the earth. As
it was in use for nearly 30 years there are probably upward of 30 graves there, possibly
as many as 50. It is now valued as an accessible and informal play space by families
with young children.
No provision had been made at Muizenberg for Malay burials. It seems unlikely that
they were permitted to continue using their cemetery at “Die Land”, and yet this is
implied in Joseph Abdol’s bequest of 14 May 1937. He bequeathed this Malay Burial

