Page 72 - Bulletin 20 2016

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Then, on 5 December, 1929, and much to the surprise of Mr. Mansergh and others (93) ,
articles appeared in the Cape Times announcing that Smith’s Farm would be put on the
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market on December 7 . (Fig. 2.34.) Part of the advertisement read:
“By reason of its situation and its general attractiveness it may be said to be the
Mecca of the people of the Peninsula and of the thousands of visitors thereto. It is
famous for its fishing, its camping, its beaches and bathing, and is crying out to be
developed into unequalled seaside resorts. …. The property will make its special
appeal to the land speculator who will readily see the huge possibilities of turning
profitably to account the thousands of lots which could be laid out along the sea coast
alone.”
The very real possibility that this property could fall into the hands of speculative developers
now propelled this issue into the public arena and spurred the authorities and concerned
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parties to action. On December 6 , the Cape Times reported that the Administrator of the
Cape, the Hon. Mr. J. H. Conradie, had been approached for comment and explained “that the
matter did not fall within his province and was the concern of either the State or the
Municipality”.

“But if the Municipality approached me for permission to buy the land or with a request
for a loan for the purpose, I should give it the most sympathetic consideration”.
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On December 9 , a hurried meeting followed between the Mayor of Cape Town, Rev. A. J.
S. Lewis and the City Finance Committee to discuss this matter. A representative of the Cape
Times was then informed by the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Councilor Gradner,
that the City Council had agreed that the Mayor should consult with interested parties and
that, although the City was unlikely to take on the burden of this project alone, it would
probably be prepared to contribute on a pro rata basis (94) . (Fig. 2.35.)

The Mayor of Simon’s Town, Mr. L. C. Gay, meanwhile reported that the people of Simon’s
Town were generally, “favourably disposed”, to this proposal but explained that Government
property in his town to the value of £600,000 and exempt from taxes, created an extreme
shortage of funds in their municipality. His council could, therefore, offer little in the way of
financial assistance towards realizing the objective of buying Smith’s Farm (95) . (Fig. 2.36.)

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