Today in Kimberley's History
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Foundation stone laid for new City Hall opened - 1898
The Kimberley City Hall, an outstanding piece of Victorian architecture (in Roman Corinthian style), was designed by the well-known Kimberley architect Fergus Carstairs-Rogers and opened on 20 September 1899, a mere few weeks before the siege of Kimberley commenced. Kimberley’s previous Town Hall had been destroyed by fire on 29 March 1898, and on 13 April it was decided to build a new hall to meet the requirements of a growing town. The Directors of De Beers donated a sizable sum of money towards the building costs. Fergus Carstairs-Rogers won the design competition from nine finalists, pocketing the £100 prize money. On 16 November 1898 the foundation stone was laid by Moses Cornwall, then Mayor of Kimberley, the plans for the building consisting of a main hall and council chamber, a supper room, a Mayor’s parlour, a committee room, the Town Clerk’s office, and several administrative offices. The Hall was built by local firm, Grant and Downie, and completed at a cost of £26000, and was officially opened by the Mayor of Kimberley, Robert H. Henderson. The Hall would be the administrative and executive centre of Kimberley up until 1962 when the municipality moved to the current Civic Centre. During the siege - 14 October 1899 to 15 February 1900 - the Hall was used as the pivotal point for the issuing and rationing of food and for a time was a haven for refugees. A public poll to save the City Hall from demolition was held in 1971, and was successful due to the effort by former Mayor Lawrie Shuttleworth. The so-called coloured population were permitted to vote, and it was their vote that saved the Hall. It was officially re-opened on 18 June 1976.
The Kimberley City Hall, an outstanding piece of Victorian architecture (in Roman Corinthian style), was designed by the well-known Kimberley architect Fergus Carstairs-Rogers and opened on 20 September 1899, a mere few weeks before the siege of Kimberley commenced. Kimberley’s previous Town Hall had been destroyed by fire on 29 March 1898, and on 13 April it was decided to build a new hall to meet the requirements of a growing town. The Directors of De Beers donated a sizable sum of money towards the building costs. Fergus Carstairs-Rogers won the design competition from nine finalists, pocketing the £100 prize money. On 16 November 1898 the foundation stone was laid by Moses Cornwall, then Mayor of Kimberley, the plans for the building consisting of a main hall and council chamber, a supper room, a Mayor’s parlour, a committee room, the Town Clerk’s office, and several administrative offices. The Hall was built by local firm, Grant and Downie, and completed at a cost of £26000, and was officially opened by the Mayor of Kimberley, Robert H. Henderson. The Hall would be the administrative and executive centre of Kimberley up until 1962 when the municipality moved to the current Civic Centre. During the siege - 14 October 1899 to 15 February 1900 - the Hall was used as the pivotal point for the issuing and rationing of food and for a time was a haven for refugees. A public poll to save the City Hall from demolition was held in 1971, and was successful due to the effort by former Mayor Lawrie Shuttleworth. The so-called coloured population were permitted to vote, and it was their vote that saved the Hall. It was officially re-opened on 18 June 1976.
32 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.
I woke early, hearing the Boer guns, but went to sleep again on finding that no shells were bursting in our direction. At about 7.30, however, I saw our Mounted Troops returning to the camp and several riderless horses amongst them, and I knew that something must have been going on.
Later on Jack came in for a minute to tell me he was all right, though our men had had to retreat from tremendous odds on Carter's Farm. One Trooper (Goodall, K.L.H.) was killed, and 11 wounded, Major Peakman amongst the latter. During the heavy rain last night the Boers had moved their big gun and placed it in such a position at Carter's Farm that it remained invisible under debris, stones and trees. Moreover, they had dug trenches and rifle-pits much nearer to Kimberley.
Though our men left camp soon after 2 a.m., a heavy mist delayed their coming up to the Boers, and by some means the latter got warning of our movement. It is a marvellous thing that our whole Mounted Troop was not annihilated. This time the enemy even shelled the Ambulance waggon, the shells being distinctly seen from the Conning Tower to be aimed at the Red Cross. One Trooper, wounded in the leg, resisted strongly at being put into the Ambulance, and swore frightfully - to be allowed to get at the B --- Boers again.
Barkly is at last occupied, and largely by the disloyal of the district. Mr Harison has been given a pass to Orange River with his remaining clerks, the gaoler, the Inspector of Mines, Mr Gardiner, and a few others, with five women. Mr Blyth, (Inspector of Police) and Sergeant Williams being the only prisoners. They are now with the Commando at Intermediate Station. - To-day shells have been made for the first time in De Beer's workshops.
Extract from "The Diary of a Doctor's Wife – During the Siege of Kimberley October 1899 to February 1900" by Winifred Heberden.
I woke early, hearing the Boer guns, but went to sleep again on finding that no shells were bursting in our direction. At about 7.30, however, I saw our Mounted Troops returning to the camp and several riderless horses amongst them, and I knew that something must have been going on.
Later on Jack came in for a minute to tell me he was all right, though our men had had to retreat from tremendous odds on Carter's Farm. One Trooper (Goodall, K.L.H.) was killed, and 11 wounded, Major Peakman amongst the latter. During the heavy rain last night the Boers had moved their big gun and placed it in such a position at Carter's Farm that it remained invisible under debris, stones and trees. Moreover, they had dug trenches and rifle-pits much nearer to Kimberley.
Though our men left camp soon after 2 a.m., a heavy mist delayed their coming up to the Boers, and by some means the latter got warning of our movement. It is a marvellous thing that our whole Mounted Troop was not annihilated. This time the enemy even shelled the Ambulance waggon, the shells being distinctly seen from the Conning Tower to be aimed at the Red Cross. One Trooper, wounded in the leg, resisted strongly at being put into the Ambulance, and swore frightfully - to be allowed to get at the B --- Boers again.
Barkly is at last occupied, and largely by the disloyal of the district. Mr Harison has been given a pass to Orange River with his remaining clerks, the gaoler, the Inspector of Mines, Mr Gardiner, and a few others, with five women. Mr Blyth, (Inspector of Police) and Sergeant Williams being the only prisoners. They are now with the Commando at Intermediate Station. - To-day shells have been made for the first time in De Beer's workshops.
Primary information source courtesy of Kimberley Calls...and Recalls Facebook Group (except where otherwise stated)
First Indians arrive in Natal - 1860
The first Indian people in South Africa are reported to have arrived on board the Truro from Madras to work in the sugar cane plantation in Port-Natal. The group was made up of 197 men, 89 women and 59 children. They were indentured labours. The reason the Dutch imported labour is because the black Africans were unwilling to work for them. Most Indian people returned to India at the end of their term, but a few others stayed behind. Those that stayed quickly established themselves as Industrial and railway worker, clerks and interpreters. Today The City of Durban in Kwazulu-Natal has the highest population of Indian people outside of India.
The first Indian people in South Africa are reported to have arrived on board the Truro from Madras to work in the sugar cane plantation in Port-Natal. The group was made up of 197 men, 89 women and 59 children. They were indentured labours. The reason the Dutch imported labour is because the black Africans were unwilling to work for them. Most Indian people returned to India at the end of their term, but a few others stayed behind. Those that stayed quickly established themselves as Industrial and railway worker, clerks and interpreters. Today The City of Durban in Kwazulu-Natal has the highest population of Indian people outside of India.