In December 1876, in terms of Act No 10 of 1876, entitled an “Act to improve the Administration of Justice in places distant from a Seat of Magistracy”, the limits of a Special Justice of the Peace for Jamestown were proclaimed as from 13 January 1877. Government Notice No 761 of 21 December 1876 notified the appointment a Special Justice of the Peace at Jamestown of AJ Kidwell.
Proclamation No 3 of 11 January 1883 announced the establishment of an additional court to that of the Special Justice of the Peace, namely a Periodical Court to be held by the Resident Magistrate of Aliwal North at Jamestown.
The office of Special Justice of the Peace was upgraded to that of an Assistant Magistrate as from 1 September 1952.
A Special Justice of the Peace was appointed at Kirkwood and Addo on 2 January 1935 (Government Gazette No 2239 dated 21 December 1934, Government Notice No 1803 dated 21 December 1934). An Assistant Magistrate’s Court was established at Kirkwood on 4 July 1947 (Government Gazette No 3840 dated 4 July 1947, Government Notice No 1369, dated 4 July 1947).
The appointment of the Magistrate in his capacity as Native Commissioner could not be traced in the Government Gazettes, but it has been ascertained from the records that this apparently took place during May 1953.
When Griqualand East was annexed to the Cape Colony on 1 October 1879, a Magistrate’s Court was established at Gatberg as from that date (Government Gazette No 5951 dated 19 September 1879, Proclamation No 112 of 17 September 1879). The name of Gatberg was changed to Maclear in July 1880 (Government Gazette No 6034 dated 2 July 1880, Government Notice No 679 of 24 June 1880).
A Magistrate’s court for the district of Stockenström was established on 8 March 1848 (Government Gazette No 2206, dated 9 March 1848, Proclamation dated 8 March 1848).
The Magistrate of Stockenström was also appointed Native Commissioner as from 16 January 1942 (Government Gazette No 2985 dated 16 January 1942, Government Notice No 8 dated 10 December 1941).
Queenstown Mental Hospital was established in 1922. It was the only hospital at that time built specifically to accommodate the mentally ill. Within 15 years the hospital was expanded to include vegetable gardens, a dairy and a butchery. The hospital admitted both whites and non-whites in separate sections
A magistrate’s court was established at Steynsburg on 1 February 1877 (Government Gazette No 5655 dated 2 February 1877, Proclamation No 18 dated 1 February 1877), but was abolished on 23 May 1878 (Government Gazette No 5804 dated 24 May 1878, Proclamation No 51 dated 23 May 1878). The magistrate’s court at Steynsburg was re-established on 17 June 1886 (Government Gazette No 6744 dated 18 June 1886, Proclamation No 90 dated 17 June 1886).
The division of Jansenville was subdivided into six districts for Divisional Council purposes under terms of Act No 4 of 1865 (Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette No 6170 dated 2 August 1881, Proclamation No 126 dated 1 August 1881). The first meeting of the Divisional Council was held on 5 October 1881.
On 1 January 1980 the Divisional Council of Jansenville was reconstituted together with the Divisional Councils of Murraysburg, Graaff-Reinet, Pearston and Aberdeen to form the amalgamated Divisional Council of Kamdeboo (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 4061 dated 20 July 1979, Proclamation No 174 dated 18 July 1979).
On 1 March 1881 the division of Komga was subdivided into six districts for Divisional Council purposes under Act No 4 of 1865 (Cape of Good Hope Government Gazette No 6116 dated 4 March 1881, Proclamation No 48 dated 1 March 1881).
On 1 January 1975 the Divisional Council of Komga was reconstituted together with the Divisional Councils of East London, King William’s Town and Stutterheim to form the amalgamated Divisional Council of Kaffraria (The Province of the Cape of Good Hope Official Gazette No 3796 dated 6 September 1974, Proclamation No298 dated 30 August 1974).
A Magistrate’s Court was established at Middelburg on 22 November 1855 (Government Gazette No 2668 dated 27 November 1855, Proclamation dated 22 November 1885).
A Magistrate’s Court was established at Molteno on 29 December 1893 (Government Gazette No 7567, dated 29 December 1893, Government Notice No 1260, dated 28 December 1893).
