Durban

DURBAN, a seaport on the coast of Natal, Union of South Africa, situated in 29° 52' S., 31° 1' E., just south of the Um Beni river. It is 6,992 nautical miles from London by the West Coast route, and 7,785 via Suez. Owing to its low latitude and proximity to the Mozambique current, its climate is humid and sub-tropical. The mean annual temperature is about 7o°, and the temperature ranges, both daily and annual, are comparatively small. The monthly means for July and January are 64.6° and 76.6°, the mean minimum for July being 52.3° and the mean maxi mum for January 84.5°. Rains mostly fall in the summer months, October to March inclusive; the annual rainfall is just over 4o inches. The dry season, however, is not so marked here as it is further inland, the six winter months receiving 29% of the total rainfall. The average number of rainy days is between Ho and 118. The relative humidity is high, making the climate rather en ervating, a fact that is probably reflected by the large number of jinrickshas, drawn by Zulus, which ply for hire in the streets. The health of the town is good, though malaria is liable to occur in the summer, and in 1926-27 there was a serious epidemic of dengue fever.

Durban is the largest urban centre in Natal, and is exceeded in the Union only by Johannesburg and Cape Town. In 1931 the white population numbered 81,238. According to the 1921 census the population consisted of 57,095 Europeans, 37,53o natives, 47,811 Asiatics and 3,874 coloured people, making a total of 146,31 o. The town is built near the shores of what was originally a shallow lagoon, 8 sq.m. in extent, cut off from the sea by a line of ancient partially consolidated sand dunes. The northern end of this barrier, known as the Bluff, 195 ft. high, overlooks the narrow entrance to the lagoon. On the northern side of the entrance is a low sandy spit, called the Point. The main business part of the city is laid out on a low-lying sandy tract on the north, and north western side of the bay (i.e., the lagoon). In West street are most of the principal shops, the theatre, and, at the western end, a large technical college, near which is a colossal statue of the late Louis Botha in the dress of a Boer general, erected by citizens of Durban. About the middle of West street is a rectangular area occupied by gardens and a large war memorial. Along the West street side of this open space is the general post office, while on the opposite, southern side, is a hotel and an imposing block of in surance offices. The western flank is occupied by shops, and on the eastern side is a block of buildings containing the town hall, municipal offices, public library and art gallery. The town hall has an assembly room, which is capable of accommodating 3,000 people, and which is fitted with a fine organ. The art gallery has some good pictures by modern British painters. The border of the lagoon is laid out as an esplanade, and is known as the Vic toria embankment. It forms a picturesque walk, lined with palms. About the middle is an equestrian statue of Dick King, commemo rating his famous nine days ride to Grahamstown (600 m.) to obtain relief when Durban was besieged by the Dutch in 184o.

The Harbour.

The area about the Point is occupied by har bour works, loading sheds, etc. Here also is a memorial to Vasco da Gama. Owing to the presence of sandbanks it was originally difficult for any but smaller craft to enter the lagoon. The entrance has, however, been greatly improved. A wall has been constructed from the end of the Bluff for about 2,000 ft. out to sea. Nearly parallel with this the North pier was carried out to the same distance from the Point. The narrow entrance thus formed is kept free from sand by the tidal scour and by dredging. The depth at L.W.O.S.T. is about 35 ft., and the average rise of a spring tide is 4 ft. i i inches.

Along the lagoon side of the Point are the sheds and wharves, of which there are about 3 miles. The depth alongside ranges from 23 to 34 ft. For coaling purposes electrically-driven belt and bucket transporter appliances have been installed at the Bluff, capable of coaling five ships simultaneously. Oil depots exist near by. For repairs there is a floating dock capable of lift ing 8,5oo tons, and a patent slip capable of lifting craft up to 150 tons. At the south-western end of the bay, near Congella, is a graving dock, 1,15o ft. long and no o f t. broad. The depth of the entrance channel is 32 feet. Not far away the largest grain ele vator in South Africa was being completed in 1928. Passengers landing at Durban and wishing to travel inland by railway, have to reach the railway station in the centre of the town by car, tram or jinricksha.

Homes and Recreation.

Behind the business section rises a sharp ridge, the Berea, which runs in a more or less northerly direction until it meets the Umgeni river, where the Dwyka con glomerate, of which it is formed, is quarried for road metalling and harbour works. The Berea is the favourite residential quarter, and building sites are, therefore, dear. Most of the houses stand in their own grounds, surrounded by trees and shrubs, flowers and lawns. The streets are lined with the beautiful flamboyant tree, which is sharply restricted to the coastal strip of Natal. The gen eral appearance of this quarter, and the views out to sea are very pleasing. A bridge has been constructed across the mouth of the Umgeni, with the result that land has been bought, and a new suburb will almost certainly arise along the coast on the northern side of the river. This appears to be the only direction in which such expansion can, at present, take place.

On most of its other sides the town is hemmed in by a zone of Indian settlements, with squalid huts, untidy surroundings and sanitary conditions which could not be regarded as being satis factory. On the sea front, north of the harbour, and stretching in the direction of the Umgeni, is a large esplanade, with its accom paniment of hotels, bathing conveniences, bandstands, etc. Near its northern end is a capacious concert hall, built in 1924. Be tween this and the river is an area of open beach and sand dunes. A part of the latter is occupied by the Country club and its golf links and tennis courts. Durban is one of the most important seaside holiday resorts in South Africa. Many people from the high country inland come down during the winter for relaxation, and to escape the severe frosts. During July important race meet ings are held here.

Public Services.

The town is well supplied with public serv ices. It has a good water supply, obtained from a large reservoir on the Umlaas river, a water borne sewage, electric light and a good tram service. The Botanical gardens on the lower slopes of the Berea contain a fine collection of plants, more tropical in character than those in most other parts of South Africa. There are several other open spaces, such as Albert park, between West street and the bay, Mitchell park, Bulwer park, etc. Opportuni ties for sport are provided by a race-course, near the centre of the town, polo and football grounds and golf links. Near the Point is a hospital capable of accommodating 135 patients. In addition to the usual primary and secondary schools, there is a large technical college, and a site of 5o ac. has recently been set aside, with the intention of building on it an extension of the Natal University college (University of South Africa).

Industry.

The first settlers on the site of Durban were a few British elephant hunters, who arrived in 1824. In 1835 a township was laid out, and named after Sir Benjamin d'Urban, the then governor of the Cape. Since that date the town has experienced many alternations of prosperity and depression. It derived much benefit from the increase of trade due to the discovery of dia monds and gold in South Africa, and to the Zuiu and Boer Wars. It owes its importance largely to the fact that it is the only rea sonable port between East London and Delagoa bay, and that there is a comparatively easy way leading inland. Much of its trade is with the Transvaal and Orange Free State. It also deals with practically all the overseas trade of Natal. Among its chief exports are maize from the high veld, coal, for bunking and ex port, from the Natal coalfields, wattle bark from the midlands of Natal, and wool. It is also the chief focus of the sugar industry, which occupies most of the coastal belt of Natal. Though its passenger traffic is exceeded by that of Cape Town, from the point of view of tonnage Durban is the premier port of the Union. In 1922, 1,173 vessels entered the harbour, with a total tonnage of tons. Durban is also the centre of the whaling activi ties on this coast. The season lasts from May to November, and a whaling station has been established on the seaward side of the Bluff. The oil is used by local soap factories. The estab lishment of industries in the town is favoured by the plentiful supplies of coal, water, electricity and coloured labour that are available, and by the facilities for importing and exporting raw material and finished products. Land is being reclaimed at the south-western end of the bay, and is quickly taken up for indus trial development. Among the industries already established are those dealing with the production of soap, matches, jams and preserves, biscuits, furniture, etc.

See G. Russell, History of Old Durban (to 186o) (Durban, 1899) ; Fifty Years of Municipal History, compiled for the Corporation by the town clerk, 1904; South Africa Year Book. (R. U. S.)