Page 159 - Bulletin 7 2003

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This garage had been approved by the Chief Engineer in June 1925, provided the
structure was not conspicuous from the Main Road. Capt. Cameron-Swan’s

efforts failed, particularly as the ground, other than the motor-cycle shed, was
ear-marked for a Post-Office. The end result was that by June 1926 extensions at

both the north and south ends of the Police Reserve were completed and the area

fenced off. The fencing on the south side in front of the mortuary was later
replaced by a stone retaining wall which was set back by 2 feet to line up with the

wall of the house on the corner of Essex and Main Road and with the wall of the
police station on the opposite side. The market place was either closed or

relocated – the details are unknown.

In 1923 the Chief Police Officer of Kalk Bay, Sergeant Scott, was party, whether

willing or not, to a scandal when a young woman in her mid-20s, Miss Dorothy
Adams, received a Bronze Medal from the Royal Humane Society of London for

rescuing a bather, George Meyer. Meyer had had a fit while swimming in the

open sea at Kalk Bay on New Year’s Day. Strong objections to the award were
led by Thomas Fernandez who was holder of a similar medal for a sea rescue in

1902. The real hero who rescued George Meyer was Juano Pelino. Apparently
Miss Adams merely came to help when Pelino had brought the bather to knee-

deep water. The objectors claimed, correctly or otherwise, that Sergeant Scott
was in collaboration with another man, Mr. Reagan, who was keen to win the

affection of Miss Adams, and that Sergeant Scott’s testimony, which resulted in

the award of the medal, was false.

This objection came in January 1924 when it was noted that Miss Dorothy
Adams was now Mrs. Reagan. Councillor George Boyes was asked to investigate

these allegations against Sergeant Scott but, regrettably, died before he could
finish the case. By this time the City Council were tired of the matter and

awarded the medal, much to the disgust of Thomas Fernandez and other

fishermen.