'THE MAYOR'S MINUTE FOR 1878, Read at a Meeting of the Town Council held on Wednesday, 12th February, 1879.'
Publisher's printed wraps. 8pp.
Signed in ink on the front panel "Samuel Bain, Mayor", and at the top of the title page "S. Bain".
Samuel Bain was the 6th Mayor of Port Elizabeth, holding office from 1878-79. He was born in England in April 1818 and came to Port Elizabeth in 1850 where he started manufacturing soda water, ginger ale and ginger beer, pale ale and stout porter. He was also a timber merchant, free mason, and violinist in the amateur orchestral society.
He built his fine home, which he called Park Lodge (later Nazareth House) on the St. Georges Lands in 1875 and sold it before he returned to England. He died at Bournemouth on 7.12.1915, aged 97.
In these minutes Bain addresses the council regarding expenditures on new roads, buildings, footpaths, tramway rails through the town, and gas lamps - which at that time stood at 100 and was estimated to increase to 125 by the year 1880, and 150 by 1881. He recommends "the Government be requested to authorize the Police being raised to 20 privates in lieu of 12 at present".
Of note is the reference to the famous Feather Market which at that time was in the process of being constructed:
"The plans of Mr. Grellert, of King William's Town, having been accepted by the council for the New Feather and Vegetable markets, etc. that gentleman is now actively engaged in preparing the working plans, etc.; the excavation of the ground is also progressing rapidly, and I have no doubt the work will be prosecuted with vigour, and the site shortly covered with a block of buildings which will not only be a great ornament to the town but, it is hoped, of great utility both to our merchants, householders, and farmers."
Also interesting:
"The appointment of a Superintendent for the Native Strangers' location has been attended with very beneficial results. The system of making and selling kafir[sic] beer has been almost entirely suppressed, and with the sanction of the Council, those who have been convicted of that offence have been refused the usual certificate entitling them to residences in the location. It is hoped that this will be a salutary check and warning to others not to offend in like manner."
No copies recorded in SABIB. No copies found on worldcat.org. A very scarce booklet twice signed by one of the early mayors of "The Friendly City".
- Binding Condition: Good
- Overall Condition: Good
