Page 152 - Bulletin 7 2003

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extended from the charge office. This extension would be the source of much
correspondence from 1935 to 1950.

The matrons who were appointed to do the cooking for the prisoners and staff

were invariably wives of the local police sergeants at the station. Their pay was

£10 per annum and remained the same for many years. In July 1908 the
Commissioner of Cape Police recommended Mrs. Lucy Paul, sister of Sergeant

F. Dennison, for the post at £10 p.a. Sergeant Dennison replaced Sergeant Clark
(of fowl run fame) whose wife had been the matron prior to his transfer.

The Court

The chaotic nature of the periodical court, which had operated in the old sitting
room of Adshead’s home, could not, however, be allowed to continue for the

duration of the Anglo-Boer War. An urgent change had to be made,

notwithstanding various cash constraints.

Letters were written to the Attorney-General and concern was expressed that no
Court Room had been allowed in the design of the new Police Station. This

concern was endorsed by the Resident Magistrate of Simon’s Town, Mr. Charles
A. Horne, as well as the Chief of Police.

The reply from the Commissioner of Police Works to these concerns was that
there was insufficient space at the proposed new police station for a Court Room

and that, because of the slope of the ground, any additional building would mean
a considerable increase in costs. An estimate was, however, done with the Court

Room set back on land adjoining the new Police Station. This cost came to
£1,300 and was turned down by the Secretary of Finance for P. W. D. work. He

stated that there was more important work to be done at Woodstock and Camps

Bay Police Stations and his funds were limited.