Today in Kimberley's History
December 4th
50 days since beginning of the Siege of Kimberley, 1899
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
Two people near Mrs Beacon's house thought they would enjoy a joke against Colonel Kekewich; so they brought a mirror into the sun and flashed up to the Conning Tower - the light, for a second, blinding the officer there, who put his hand over his eyes. At this these mischief-makers hid their glass for a few minutes, and, not knowing the telescope was on them, flashed again. Almost instantly two troopers dashed out from the Gardens Camp and caught them - giving each such a scolding and uttering such threats, that the offenders went away wiser and very much sadder.
Lord Methuen signalled: 'Have gained passage of Modder River after successful fight.'
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
Two people near Mrs Beacon's house thought they would enjoy a joke against Colonel Kekewich; so they brought a mirror into the sun and flashed up to the Conning Tower - the light, for a second, blinding the officer there, who put his hand over his eyes. At this these mischief-makers hid their glass for a few minutes, and, not knowing the telescope was on them, flashed again. Almost instantly two troopers dashed out from the Gardens Camp and caught them - giving each such a scolding and uttering such threats, that the offenders went away wiser and very much sadder.
Lord Methuen signalled: 'Have gained passage of Modder River after successful fight.'
Unveiling of bronze statue of Cecil Rhodes on horseback, 1907
The bronze equestrian statue of Cecil John Rhodes was funded through public subscriptions from local citizens, alongside a substantial land contribution from his close business associate, Alfred Beit. It was unveiled on 4 December 1907 by the Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir Walter Francis Hely-Hutchinson.
First meeting of the newly amalgamated Kimberley City Council - 1912
Beaconsfield formally amalgamated with Kimberley on 2 December 1912 when Ernest Oppenheimer became the first Mayor of a combined city. The first combined council meeting was on 4 December 1912.
Beaconsfield formally amalgamated with Kimberley on 2 December 1912 when Ernest Oppenheimer became the first Mayor of a combined city. The first combined council meeting was on 4 December 1912.