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blasting, and the near bankruptcy of the Municipality made this the most
difficult project that any of the smaller municipalities had ever undertaken.

Under Mayor Rutter it was finalized much to the relief of councillors and
ratepayers alike.

Rutter also saw the start of the macadamizing of the roads in response to their
deterioration as a result of increased motor traffic. He initiated the first move in

the improvement of the Kalk Bay and Muizenberg Beachfront facilities, after he
had received a report from the Cape Peninsula Publicity Association regarding

the need to improve both the bathing and seaside attractions at Kalk Bay and
Muizenberg.

Mayor J. Delbridge 1912 – 1913 (Fig. 2.8)

John Delbridge was the last Mayor of the Municipality before unification and

held office from May 1912 to August 1913. He had immigrated to South Africa
from Cornwall with his brother William. Both of them were experienced stone-

masons who were initially employed in the construction of the Woodhead and
Hely-Hutchinson reservoirs on Table Mountain. He became a reservoir

contractor in later years, building mainly for the Wynberg Municipality. He was
second on the tender for the Silvermine Reservoir which was awarded to G. S.

Firth.

His mayoral term of office saw great progress in the Municipality which now

blossomed after the Union of South Africa had been formed, and he officiated as
Mayor at the opening of the new Muizenberg Pavilion, the new Post Office, the

new Muizenberg School, the new Muizenberg Railway Station, and the laying of
the first concrete block in the breakwater of the Kalk Bay Harbour.

The advent of the motor car took place during his term of office, and many
building plans were submitted for conversions of coach-houses and stables to

motor garages. His Council also approved improvements to beach facilities