Page 45 - Bulletin 7 2003

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ments, as well as some of the tensions among the Councillors.

An interim valuation was made in September, 1896, and after the court held for
hearing objections the roll was fixed, showing an increase since the general
valuation of July, 1895, from £133 000 to £165 000.

The necessity for an adequate supply of good water was recognised by the
Council soon after the constitution of the Municipality. Various difficulties
presented themselves, but Mr. Thomas Stewart gave a preliminary report last
year, which recommended that the supply should be taken from the catchment
area near the source of the Silvermine Stream. As the site was outside the
Municipal area it was necessary to have a survey made showing the extent of
land required. On this being accomplished, the Council petitioned H. E. the
Governor to extend the Municipal boundaries so as to include this catchment
area, and a proclamation was gazetted of this extension in April of this year.

THE KALK BAY MUNICIPAL IMPROVEMENT ACT was passed in the
closing days of the last session of Parliament, and received the assent of H. E.
the Governor on June 24 last. The Bill on which the Act was based was laid
before, and unanimously carried at a large meeting of ratepayers in April, 1896.
The Act vests all Crown lands in the municipal area, with some slight
exceptions, in the Council of the Municipality, and the proceeds of the sales of
all these lands are to be devoted to permanent public works. The further powers
are to set apart a commonage, to construct a breakwater at Kalk Bay for the
protection of the fishery, to construct piers and bathing establishments, to
convert the Muizenberg vlei into a permanent lake for aquatic pastimes, and to
make an esplanade along the Muizenberg beach, also to make regulations for
controlling the fishery, piers, breakwater, bathing establishments, lake, and
beach. This Act has been passed for the benefit not only of the inhabitants and
ratepayers, but in the interests of visitors and of the Colony generally. The
powers granted are large, but if the Council will make good use of them there is
no doubt that Muizenberg - Kalk Bay can be made the queen of watering-places
of South Africa. ....... powers are granted to the Council for dealing with
capitalists, as it is not likely that Municipal funds will be free for these purposes
for many years to come.

A complete survey of all Municipal lands should be undertaken as soon as
possible, with a view of laying out all available lands for sale in a manner best
suited for future development, and of reserving such other lands as may best
appear suited for a commonage park, and open spaces, and for the sites of
drainage works, and in laying out lands the necessary roads should have most
careful attention, especially a high-level road along the slopes of the mountain
from Muizenberg to Kalk Bay.
It must be borne in mind that the place cannot be improved without an adequate
expenditure, and unless a new valuation be made the revenue of the Council will
not be sufficient even for that first imperative need - water. In the great work of