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modelled on the classic British seaside resorts of Brighton and Blackpool. (Fig. 2.27). A
tramway along Royal Road for the full length of the esplanade was described by the

Syndicate as “a vital part of their plans.” The line would run from Muizenberg station to
the proposed seaside terminus of the privately-owned Cape Flats railway line which was

then under construction by cronies of Cecil Rhodes, chief of whom was Dr Rutherford

Harris. The local newspaper, Seaside News, even proposed taking the tramway right
through to the Strand. The Syndicate had engaged the services of the famous

engineering firm Pauling & Company which had just finished building the Camps Bay
tramway system. The Muizenberg tramcars would, therefore, have been identical in

design to this Camps Bay tram. (Fig. 2.28). The tramway would then be extended
southwards to Kalk Bay, provided a concession could be obtained from the Divisional

Council.

A certain T. G. Norton, unconnected with the Foreshore Syndicate, but dependent on

the success of its plans, proposed a funicular railway running up Pecks’ Valley, and

sanatorium, golf course, sports grounds, and restaurants on the Muizenberg plateau.
(Funicular and cliff railways were leading attractions at many British seaside resorts.).

(Fig. 2.29). On 21 January 1904, the Kalk Bay Council gave consent to Norton to have
a survey done and undertook to consider an application from him for a concession to

build his scheme. But the economic slump was by this time well underway, and even
the Municipality itself was having trouble raising money, and so nothing came of it.

Conclusion: The tale of four Thomases.

Four “Thomases” were involved with the Kalk Bay municipal utilities.

The first was Thomas Stewart, born in Scotland in 1857, a gifted engineer, described
in a newspaper tribute as the “doyenne of South African civil engineers.” He came to

the Cape as assistant to the Government Hydrologist, John George Gamble, but set up

as a consultant in 1886. His design for the Kalk Bay-Muizenberg (Silvermine) water
scheme was quite insignificant compared with his most famous water scheme,