Page 153 - Bulletin 7 2003

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Previously the Commissioner of Public Works had considered building a court-
room as an extension of the lock-up house, once the police had taken over the

premises. The size was 30 ft. x 30 ft. with a magistrate’s room of 12 ft. x 12 ft.,
and latrines. The cost was estimated at £700. This was to be a wood and iron

structure. It was, however, rejected as being too unsightly and the scheme was

shelved.

Finally, in July 1899, a 3-year lease was drawn up between Elizabeth Rachel Fish
(married to Robert Andrew Fish) and Charles Alexander Horne, Resident

Magistrate of Simon’s Town, for the renting of a large room, which was part of
the Fish’s home, as a Periodical Court. This was in the vicinity of today’s Lever

Road. Rent was £30 per annum, payable quarterly in advance at £7-10 per

quarter. Furnishings were supplied by the Public Works Department and a 3-
month termination of lease applied. The lease had the option of an extension by

the Resident Magistrate and was extended until May 1909. The rent was then £42

per annum. Thereafter the Periodical Court moved to St. James.

An indication of the types of misdemeanours that exercised the Court’s mind is
given in the following extracts from the Wynberg Times.

Kalk Bay Police Court

At the above Court yesterday, before Mr. Jackson, CC and RM, the following
cases were disposed of, the prosecution being undertaken by Chief Constable
Reineke and Sergeant Merry :-

R. Demetier, fruiterer, residing opposite the station at Muizenberg, was charged
with selling and dealing on Sunday, April 6. Detective Gibbs, of Simon’s Town,
stated that, after searching Jacob Macranas, he gave him a marked two shilling
piece and watched him go into defendant’s shop, where he bought and received a
packet of cigarettes, a charge of 3d being made. He then, in company with Jacob,
visited the shop. Defendant was not present; the assistant told him the accused
was in Cape Town. Accused held a licence and his name was over the door. –
Jacob Macranas corroborated the last witness. – Defendant, who pleaded not
guilty, stated that he had sold the business on April 3, and had tried to get the
licence transferred, and considered that the charge should not be made against