CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1828, 24 December 1875, Page 2

CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT.

OitySail

We have not taken opportunity for some tima of again directing attention to the movement proceeding for the improvement of the cemetery. The wall of the Presbyterian Cemetery is rapidly approaching completion, and a most substantial and becoming structure it is, while the laying off the paths and the general progress of the work is satisfactory in the extreme. The committee charged with the improvement of the Wesleyan Cemetery, in which all the nonconformist churches are interested, are also proceeding energetically with their work, but we regret to learn that they have yet a great deal to do, before attaining that point in the matter of finance which will enable them to amdertake the most important part of their undertaking. A long stretch, of stone wall requires to be erected, and it should not be of * class inferior to that on the opposite side of the road; a large portion of simpler and less substantial fencing along the northern and eastern sides of the cemetery must also b© constructed ; in addition to which the proper laying off of pathways, to say nothing of the contemplated planting, will all absorb a very large amount of money, and1, the response to the appeal has not by any means been worthy of the cause. Suroly those connected with this cemetery are :aot going to leave the main burthen of paying on the shoulders of those willing men who have earnestly undertaken the work, and ate giving their time and anxious pains to place the cemetery in a condition alike becoming its solemn and sacred character, and the affectionate memories that circle around those mounds of earth. The hardheaded and close-fisted Scotchman—for so they ar9 regarded by some—have shown a noble generosity in sustaining the efforts of those undertaking the improvement of the Presbyterian Cemetery. Surely we are not to suppose that the Wesleyans, Independents, Baptists and others are either less mindful of what is due to beloved friends gone away, or less generous in restoring their cemetery to a condition of decency. We earnestly hope that those who should contribute to this purpose and have not yet done so, will do what they ought to do, and do it quickly. Trustees have now been gazetted in charge of the cemetery, clearing of gorse and scrub has been effected, pathways are in progress, but the great work of all, the building of the wall and fencing, is still to some extent in abeyance. Plans and specifications are in preparation, and if people who we believe intend contributing would only pay up promptly, the trustees would, daring the course of next week or the week after, be able to accept a tender for the work. We can tell those who feel an interest in this good work, that thin is a movement not to be trifled with. If the promoters get dispirited by apathy without, and this movement Buffers collapse, it would probably take many years before it will be undertaken again; and we earnestly urge in these genial Christmas times, when people are generally inclined to kindly thoughts, to think a little of our beloved relatives who once united with us in celebration of the holiday season, but are now silent and still in their last and lasting home ; and to consider what is due to them and to their memory and to the City of the Dead, * of which they are now the silent inhabitants. Mr Jones, of the Royal Insurance office in Shortland-street, is the indefatigable honorary secretary to the promoters of this movement, and from him all information may be obtained, and to him, or any trustee or member of committee, subscriptions may be paid. We earnestly urge our readers, «o many as should have an interest in this movement, to place themselves in communication with Mr Jones, and remember that "he gires twice that aim quickly."

To-night,