Saturday, August 27, 2011

Old Court House and Police Station Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth

Thieves blamed for building’s destruction

2009/10/12
Ivor Markman HERALD PHOTOJOURNALIST


DESTRUCTION ... The lane behind the Baakens Street old court house and police station. The pile of bricks on the ground, the remains of a wall higher up and a roof of a covered area which has been partially removed can clearly be seen in this photograph. In terms of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999, it is illegal to make any alterations to a building older than 60 years without a permit from PHRA. Picture: IVOR MARKMAN

DESTRUCTION ... The lane behind the Baakens Street old court house and police station. The pile of bricks on the ground, the remains of a wall higher up and a roof of a covered area which has been partially removed can clearly be seen in this photograph. In terms of the National Heritage Resources Act, 1999, it is illegal to make any alterations to a building older than 60 years without a permit from PHRA. Picture: IVOR MARKMAN


A SECTION of the outer wall of the old post office building facing away from Baakens Street in Port Elizabeth has been destroyed and the roof has been removed.
The section which overlooks the lane behind the old police station is now completely open to the elements.
The old post office, courthouse and former police station at Baakens Street are owned by Ummi Properties Ltd, one of Ken Denton’s companies.
Asked why the roof had been removed and by whom, Denton said: “Our buildings are being constantly raped by thieves (after) scrap metals ... We have spent a fortune on security guards and caught countless criminals in the act of damaging the building. To date, none of these criminals has been convicted of the crimes.

“Also, no real effort has been made to deal with the scrap merchants who encourage crime by purchase stolen building elements.

“An application was made to the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority (PHRA) in 2007.

“Despite reminders, no progress has been made with it.”

According to Nicola Darke, a member of the old permit committee, a demolition application was received from Denton in October 2007. “Due to the scale of the proposed development which exceeded 5000m², we requested a Heritage Impact Assessment ... This was never forthcoming.”

In terms of the National Heritage Resources Act of 1999: “No person may alter or demolish any structure or part of a structure which is older than 60 years without a permit issued by the relevant provincial heritage resources authority.”

The police station in Baakens Street, with police barracks as well as extensions to the existing 1884 courthouse building, was opened in 1899.

Herald











Sunday, August 21, 2011

Walmer Sanatorium Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth


The Savage Nation



Open Letter to the ANC

To all you "Black Beneficiaries of Apartheid" will you pleeeease use all your little faxes and your state mechanisms such as SARS and tax us as much as you possibly can for reparations you're threatening us with. You can see we're shaking in our boots. Another thing, make it possible to raise and lower this tax at your whim without a sunset clause.

Keep in mind we've never asked you for anything before, and won't anytime soon, but pleeeease do your worst..... I'm not going to change my world view for you just because you say so.

The Old Erica School Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth


Thursday, August 4, 2011

Settlers Monument Grahamstown Eastern Cape



Quote:"The memorial (Precinct Stone) for the 1820 Settlers on Gunfire Hill, Grahamstown, unveiled by the State President, C R Swart, in September 1962. The four flower-motifs (of which two are visible) on the sides are representative of the British countries of origin: England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Ensiklopedie van die Wêreld"

Settlers Arriving Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth



Settlers Land in in shore Surf on 30 March 1852 Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth

Settlers Arriving Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth

Settlers Arriving Algoa Bay Port Elizabeth