Page 74 - Bulletin 8 2004

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By the turn of the century improvements were being made to station facilities along the
coast. Loops were installed and down platforms built on the sea-side of the line. Some

time later, overhead wooden footbridges were erected. (Figs. 2.28 - 2.33). These lasted
until electrification when they were demolished, being too low for the overhead wires.

Subways then replaced bridges at most stations. There was much criticism of the old

Muizenberg Station. It was considered inadequate and inconvenient and tenders for a
new one were invited in 1912. It was officially opened on Saturday 7 June, 1913, by

Mr. H. H. Burton, Minister of Railways and Harbours. (Fig. 2.34). He had a busy
afternoon as he also laid the foundation block at Kalk Bay harbour.

The Cape Times: Tuesday, 10 June, 1913.

KALK BAY AND MUIZENBERG
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Harbour and Railway Station
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Seaside Development
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Two ceremonies performed at Kalk Bay and Muizenberg on Saturday served to
attract a large number of visitors. In the afternoon, at half-past two, the Hon. H. H.
Burton, M.L.A., Minister of Railways and Harbours, laid a concrete block in connection
with the new harbour for fishing boats, and later opened the new railway station at
Muizenberg.
At the Kalk Bay ceremony, Mr. John Delbridge (Mayor) expressed pleasure at
the fact that at last Kalk Bay was to have a harbour, and asked Mr. Burton to lay the
foundation stone, which he hoped would weather all the storms that would beat against
it.
Mr. Burton lowered the great block into its place, and then said that both he and
Mrs. Burton were pleased to be present, because they felt that they belonged to Kalk
Bay, and they took interest in its welfare and development. He, however, was not
responsible for the harbour scheme, which had been initiated in the time of his friend
and predecessor, Mr. Sauer. The fishing industry at Kalk Bay had grown until the
present day, when forty-seven boats were employed and 236 men, of whom 30 were
Europeans. The value of the fish landed was somewhere between £40,000 and £60,000
per annum. Seventy-five percent of this was disposed of in the Peninsula and the
balance throughout South Africa. It would surprise most of those present when he told
them that ten tons of fresh fish went to Rhodesia each month, and two tons to the Congo
Free State, and he thought that the railways administration could take considerable
credit to itself over these facts. The whole works would cost £54,766, and they would
be finished within two years. The breakwater would be 875 feet long, and there would