A different view on current affairs & history
Butterworth, a civil engineer by training, played a key role in the development of the town. The Fire Brigade also fell under his remit during the period of growth and professionalisation of this service.
Main picture: Arthur Butterworth at the Military Road Fire Station
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The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way that its animals are treated.
Apparently, this quote has been falsely attributed to Mahatma Gandhi. Nevertheless, it remains a great quote. What is not in dispute is the following broadly similar quote from 1905 that was engraved in perpetuity (we hope) on the Horse Memorial in Port Elizabeth.
Main picture: The ineffably humble inscription on the Horse Memorial
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The Horse Memorial has been a feature of Port Elizabeth since the 11th February 1905 yet very few people are aware of the story of why the citizens deemed it necessary to erect it.
This blog sets this to rights as told by Tennyson S. Bodill
Main picture: The Horse Remount Depot in North End during the Boer War catered for over 30 000 horses
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For me the inscription on the granite statue, “The greatness of a nation consists not so much in the number of its people or in the extent of its territory as in the extent and justice of its compassion” is apt. That Port Elizabeth chose to honour our equestrian friends who were slaughtered during the Boer War epitomises that humanity.
Main picture: Horses being offloaded at the Port Elizabeth harbour during the Anglo Boer War using the sling-hoist method.
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