Page 16 - Bulletin 12 2008

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equivalent of an Annual Report of the Kalk Bay - Muizenberg Municipality (1895 -
1913) – a special section under the sub-heading of the Sanitary and Works

Superintendent's Report was devoted to them. It detailed the number of pails of night
soil, loads of slop-water and household refuse removed by the municipal horses / mules

during the year. As the numbers of dwellings connected to the Main Drainage Scheme

increased after 1907 so the number of night soil and slop-water (ie. grey water)
removals decreased, as did refuse loads for reasons unknown.

Table 1.1: Nightsoil, Slop-water and Refuse loads removed by horse-drawn vehicles.

(Source: Minutes of the Mayor, KB-MM).

Nightsoil pails Slop-water loads Refuse loads
1904 35 991 4 602 2 281
1906 35 247 4 032 1 973
1907 35 044 3 238 2 016
1908 29 098 3 122 1 470
1909 22 066 2 247 1 329

The health of the horses and mules was particularly important and in 1903 the following
report was issued in the annual Mayor's Minute. Similar ones are found in subsequent

Minutes.

The general health of the mules, etc., has been exceptionally good, and taking into
account the distance they have to travel owing to the extended area of the district, the
steep side roads and the scattered manner in which the houses are placed, entailing
constant hard work for the animals, the Municipality may be congratulated on their
condition.

The very efficient stable accommodation the Municipality possesses has contributed
considerably to this important item.

One of the last public works undertaken by the Kalk Bay – Muizenberg Municipality
was the construction of the Municipal Stables in 1913. The site was part of Mr

Beardmore’s farm in Muizenberg North near what later became the approach road to

Boyes Drive.