Page 50 - Bulletin 7 2003

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over the Zandvlei Estuary. With the big upswing in building there was a heavy
demand for stone from the quarries at Kalk Bay and Muizenberg. Meyer was

instrumental in formulating Council regulations for the control of these quarries.
He resigned due to ill-health in April 1900, and died a bachelor on 20 August

1910 aged 67. He had lived most of his life in Kalk Bay near the police station.

He also owned Erf 90016 on Kalk Bay Point on which stood the house Patmos.

Mayor H. P. Hansen 1900 - 1901 (Fig. 2.3)

Henry Peter Hansen was born in Denmark and his mayoral term (April 1900 -
April 1901) was cut short due to his tragic drowning at Kommetje. His drowning

was witnessed by his friend John Stewart, and was ironic because Hansen loved

to go out crayfishing at Kommetjie with friends, and while out at sea, call for
help. He would then double-up with laughter when his friends rushed to his boat

to rescue him. However, he did that once too often and, having been fooled so

many times previously, no one went to his aid until it was too late and he
drowned. Stewart testified at the inquest that, to Hansen’s cries for help, he had

shouted back: “Stop fooling, your wife is getting anxious!” Hansen was 36 years
old at the time of his drowning and left a wife, Mary-Ann with four girls and two

boys.

According to his grand-daughter, Mrs Muriel Johnson, Hansen’s children lived a

carefree childhood in Muizenberg and often rode their horses along Muizenberg
beach. He was a friend of Cecil John Rhodes and Rhodes often visited their

home. Rhodes would ride up to Hansen’s home and call out “Hansen, are you
home?” Two of Hansen’s daughters went to visit Rhodes at his cottage in

Muizenberg a few days before he died. Rhodes had a great affection for his
family and was very saddened by Hansen’s sudden death.

After that tragedy his grand-daughter recalls her mother telling her how
dramatically circumstances changed at their home. No will had been made and

the estate took two years to wind up. Hansen had been a kind, generous man and