Page 57 - Bulletin 11 2007

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Civilian life

Despite the war normal living patterns, of course, continued, but everyone was aware of the
momentous events taking place far away. Each year on 4 August the anniversary of the

declaration of war was commemorated as a just war in which the allies were committed to

free the world from the threat of militarism. From May 1918 onwards the “Mid-Day Pause”
was observed everyday in the city centre and all suburbs. In town, at the sounding of the

noon gun, two minutes’ silence were observed and pedestrians and trams came to a stand-
still for silent prayer and contemplation. The Military Authorities assigned a bugler to

sound the “Last Post” from Cartwright’s balcony on Adderley Street. (Fig. 1.36). This
practice, which originated in Cape Town, was soon adopted in towns throughout the

Empire.

Week-end recreational activities continued to flourish: horse-racing at Kenilworth, rugby

and cricket at Newlands, football at Hartleyvale and Green Point, athletics at Green Point,

golf on the numerous courses, sailing and rowing in Table Bay, motor-cycle hill-climbs at
Camps Bay, and 100 mile motor-car reliability trials to the top of Sir Lowry’s Pass. On the

fine summer weekends crowds flocked to Muizenberg beach, the pools at St James and
Kalk Bay, and the under-construction harbour at Kalk Bay. There were still plenty of large

fish in the sea – a 93lb kob was landed off the cleaning slab at Kalk Bay. (Figs. 1.37 &
1.38).

A detailed report relating to competitive designs for a new pavilion at Muizenberg was
submitted to the Council in September 1916. It would cost £55,000. After much debate it

was decided to adjourn the matter having regard to the war situation. Only much later, in
1929, would the new pavilion be built. (Mayor’s Minute, 1917).