Page 93 - KBHA Bulletin 16

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concern and disappointment. In 1906 a London syndicate’s enquiry about a concession to

construct the pier was referred to the Harbour Board and the Cape Government Railways,
but also came to nought. In 1908 Council extended and improved the Central Jetty by

adding paving, seating, lighting, railings and tea-room at a cost of £5,690.

Part of the explanation for the delays lay in the disruptions that occurred between 1890
and 1911: the Jameson Raid of 1896 and its aftermath, the Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902,

the post-War Depression till around 1907, and preparations for the formation of Union in

1910.

In 1908 former Mayor David de Villiers Graaff became Minister without Portfolio in the

Colonial Government and was in a more influential position to promote the Pier he had
mooted while Mayor. He made it known to the Council that the Colonial Government

would look favourably on proposals for a pier and do all in its power to facilitate it as it
would be a great acquisition to the city – but it should not in any way prevent additional

reclamation work that the Government might require for harbour or state (ie. rail)

purposes. In March 1909 the Council’s proposals for extending the Central Jetty were
supported by the Cape Government “upon the understanding that the structure proposed

would not be inferior to those generally provided at seaside resorts, say in Great Britain.”
(Mayor’s Minute, 1909: 19.) The Brighton model was clearly in mind here.

But not all of Cape Town’s councillors backed the pier idea. Many felt it would divert

funds from a more important project known as the Foreshore Scheme that had already

commenced in 1907. This involved construction of a half-mile long rubble mole running
at right-angles to the Central Jetty eastwards towards the boundary of Woodstock

municipality, with land reclamation taking place behind it up to the boundary of the

railyards. Its purpose was twofold: (i) to provide the site for the Union Pageant scheduled
for November 1910 to celebrate Union and the opening of the first Union Parliament; (ii)

to provide a Marine Promenade together with an alternative vehicular exit – the Marine
Drive – from the city centre to the southern suburbs (via an over-rail bridge at Church

Street, Woodstock) and to the eastern country districts – this foreshadowed the future N1