R.M.S. “CARONIA” is due to arrive at East London at 7.00am on Saturday, February 11th,
and will tie up at a dock on the “east bank”, convenient to the centre of the city.
The ship will sail from East London promptly at 5.00pm the same day.
Notes on East London
East London is the fourth largest port of the Union of South Africa. It has an equable all-year climate. The average
temperature in summer is 66.78°F; in winter 62.30°F. The temperature of the Indian Ocean at East London never
varies from 62 to 64°F.
Round Africa Souvenir Book Cover
It is a favourite resort for inland South Africans because of the blueness of the ocean here, and the greenness of its
vegetation. Its population in 1946 was 75,622, of whom 38,390 are Europeans.
East London is 569 miles by sea from Cape Town; 131 from Port Elizabeth. From here it is 253 miles to Durban.
Its harbour is the only one in South Africa that is based on a river. The city lies 200 feet high on hills. The
principal breakwater, to the South-West of the river mouth, is 3,400 feet long. A turning area, called the C.W. Malan
Basin, has been built to allow steamers to turn around in the Buffalo River - its dimensions are 1,200 x 960 feet.
The Princess Elizabeth Graving Dock was opened by the Princess herself during her visit here on 03 March, 1947.
Economic Importance of East London:
It is the commercial centre for the Transkei and native territories; headquarters for fishing trawlers; a port for wool,
meat, citrus fruits, and dairy exports.
East London was a barren wasteland until 1836, when a British brig dropped anchor off the mouth of the Buffalo River to
land supplies for troops fighting on the native frontier. One of its officers hoisted the Union jack atop Signal Hill
and called the river-mouth Port Rex.
In 1847 further military needs caused a survey of this harbour to be made, and a settlement sprang up, which was named
East London by the Governor of the Cape Colony.
COMPETITION PRIZE WINNERS
FANCY DRESS BALL
Judges
Mrs. Frank M. Warren,
Mrs. Joseph F. Rumsey,
and Mr. George Roosevelt
Most Artistic
Ladies: Miss Carolin Hudson, “Madame Du Barry”
Gentlemen: Mr. Edwin J. Wenndorf, “The Sheik”
Most Humorous
Ladies: Mrs. Wila D Skaggs, “Scarecrow”
Gentlemen: Mr. Robert C. Hillen, “Just a Bun”
Most Original
Ladies: Mrs. Sara Y. Heinz, “Miss Cunard Line”
Gentlemen: Mr. George Kreplin, “Hermit of Tristan da Cunha”
Best Groups
1, Mr. and Mrs. O. R. Rabel “Puget Sound Squaw and Chief”
2, Miss Abbe Salomon, Mr. and Mrs. Milton H. Callner, and Mrs. A. H. Neisner,
“Goldie Locks and the Three Bears”
Won by Mrs. Charles R. Layer and Mrs. Joe Danciger
01 February
Won by Mrs. Robert N. Chatain and Mrs. L. C. Dobbert
03 February
Won by Mrs. Willa D. Skaggs and Mr. R. C. Hillen
Sunday
12 February 1950
Durban Arrival
RMS Caronia is due to arrive at Durban on Sunday, February 12th, at 8.00am. The ship will berth alongside.
Descriptive Notes on Durban
ALTHOUGH one of the most important seaports of the Union, with an ever-increasing volume of trade, Durban, with its
population of nearly 350,000, does not depend entirely on its commercial aspect for its prominent position in the life
of South Africa.
It has other claims as one of the most popular seaside resorts of the Union owing to its beautiful
situation and glorious winter climate.
Passengers’ Guests
Passengers are respectfully informed that it is regretted it will not be possible for them to entertain friends for
meals on board in Durban on February 15th and 16th; when passengers will be returning from their Shore Excursions.
This restriction becomes necessary to ensure that passengers’ tables are available for their own use at all times.
Also on the dates mentioned above, to obviate inconvenience to our cruise passengers, no sightseeing passes for the
ship will be issued.
Beautiful Scenery
The view as one enters from the sea is very impressive. On the left of the narrow channel marking the entrance to the
harbour is the prominent headland of the Bluff, the termination of a ridge of hills reaching away beyond the head of
the bay, and covered with thick green bush.
To the right is the Ocean Beach, flanked with large, comfortable hotels, reminding the visitor of some of the favourite
winter resorts along the shores of the Mediterranean.
Beyond the town a long ridge of hills known as the Berea is dotted with beautiful villa residences of the inhabitants,
which, by night, give the appearance of a veritable fairyland of lights. A really beautiful picture, unique in South
Africa, and happily not dispelled when going ashore to make acquaintance with the town at closer quarters. For Durban
is essentially a gay, lively town, beautifully clean, and justly proud of its beauty.
The main shopping thoroughfare is West Street, while parallel thereto is Smith Street, principally occupied with large
wholesale and business offices of the town. In the centre, the beautiful City Hall and Gardens form the busy hub of
the city, with trolley bus and bus services operating from there and traffic centre Pine Street in all directions to the
residential suburbs spread out for some miles along the Berea.
At the further end, and to the right of West Street before reaching the Berea, is a distinctly Indian quarter. Working
tailors and silversmiths will be seen sitting cross-legged before their open doors plying their trades, mosques rear
their domed heads, gaily coloured dresses of men and women, the latter bedecked with quaint jewellery, all add a tinge
of the East to the city.
Another notable feature which will strike the visitor is the gaily bedecked Zulu rickshaw boy with huge headgear of
feathers and beads, generally surmounted with horns, giving him a truly wondrous appearance.
The Zulu boy is a merry-hearted fellow with a natural bent for music and rhythm, and given a mouth-organ will swagger
along the street oblivious to everything but the sheer joy of existence. A visit to a native beer-hall is always found
interesting to the visitor from overseas.
Beautiful Vegetation
The dominant note of the Berea is the wonderful greenness of the abundant vegetation surrounding the pretty villas of
the inhabitants. Tropical plants and fruits grow in profusion, and in their season the bougainvillea, flamboyant
hibiscus, jacaranda and other flowering trees and shrubs blend with the glorious sunshine in making Durban one of the
fairest cities of South Africa.
The road by which we reach the Native Reserve gives yet another aspect of Natal scenery. Traversing sugar plantations,
which form one of the chief industries of the coast belt, the road passes through a tangled growth of sub-tropical
vegetation, with constantly recurring glimpses of native life but a few yards away. In the Reserve an insight into
native life will be afforded by a visit to one of the native kraals.
Places of Interest
Museum
Situated in the City Hall (Smith Street entrance), and is open to the public free of charge on weekdays from 9.30am to
5.00pm, and on Sundays 2.30 to 5.00pm. An interesting feature is the “Old Durban” Room,, illustrating the
early history of the town.
Art Gallery
Situated in the City Hall, and is open to the public free of charge during the same hours as the Museum.
Native and Indian Markets
These provide much interest for the visitor, with their display of local and Asiatic wares of all kinds.
Public Library
Will be found in the City Hall, and open from 9.00am to 9.00 pm. Mondays to Fridays; from 9.00am to 2.00pm on Saturdays.
Closed on Sundays.
Howick Falls
The Umgeni River drops a sheer 364 feet, twice the height of Niagara, and when the river is in spate this is one of the
most imposing waterfalls in the World.
Pietermaritzburg (altitude 2,218 ft.)
Seventy-one miles from Durban, is the capital of the Province of Natal, and the most important agricultural centre in
that province. The European population numbers about 27,555.
Its foundation dates from the time, nearly a century ago, when a party of “Voortrekkers”, under the
leadership of Peit Retief and Gert Maritz, out-spanned their wagons and made camp on the banks of the Umsindusi River,
and, appropriately enough, the names of the two pioneers were blended to make a name for the city they founded.
During the earliest years there was continual strife with the Zulus. The “Voortrekkers Museum” contains
relics of these eventful days.
Today Pietermaritzburg is now a city of quiet dignity, with striking buildings and artistic homes. By virtue of its
altitude, it is at once healthful and pleasant, devoid of extremes between heat and cold, while at the same time
surrounded by the glow and colour of the sub-tropics.
The City Hall, a fine building, was opened in 1901 by the then Duke of York. The parks, botanical gardens, museums and
colleges of the city and district are embellishments of a setting that is naturally picturesque.
