Page 124 - KBHA BULLETIN 5

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Cecil John Rhodes and Archbishop West Jones

I wonder if you are aware of events which were taking place on this coast on this very day 99

years ago. Cecil John Rhodes died on 27 March 1902. Archbishop William West Jones, like
his predecessor Robert Gray, came to this coast to relax. Having been away since 21

February, as far away as Pretoria, he immediately went to see Rhodes hearing he was ill.
Rhodes was too ill to see him, and died. This incident is an indication of the close

relationship between the Anglican Church hierarchy and the hierarchy of the government at

that time, as well as, no doubt, the people of status. And this would be reflected in the place
of Holy Trinity Church in the village.

The I.O.T.T and Cyprian Brooke

As Baker was all too aware drink has been a problem in Kalk Bay from as long as can be
remembered. Certainly from 1917 to 1920 there was an active branch of the Independent

Order of True Templars in Kalk Bay. They met every other Wednesday in the English School
Room at 8pm. They were a branch of the I.O.T.T. and active throughout South Africa. There

was a hierarchy of Officers from the Grand Superintendent to the “inner guard” and the

“outer guard” - down to the “Chairman of Saving and Aggressive work”, 15 Officers in all. In
Kalk Bay their Grand Superintendent, referred to as “the Grand” was Rev. Cyprian Brooke.

He was a Curate at Holy Trinity Church. His father (who had been Principal of Diocesan
College previously) was the Rector from 1901 to 1922; his brother John became Dean of

Cape Town; another brother had been killed in the first World War; and his niece, Eveleigh
Hare, still lives in Kalk Bay. Of Cyprian’s teetotalism she says “I don't think he passed it on!”

Meetings were held alternately in English and Dutch.

Over 100 names are recorded as having taken the Pledge, among them such names as

Rosslind, Schouw, Sasman, Cornberg, Poggenpoel, Manuel, Fernandez, Pepino, Adams,

Edwards, Delcarme, very many from Harbour Road and Windsor Road, and including
Cyprian Brooke. The Pledge read:

“I………..in the presence of God and these witnesses, faithfully promise, that I

will never, as long as I live, make, sell, buy, use, give, or cause to be given to
others, any sort of intoxicating liquor (including hop beer and dagga).

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