AUCKLAND CEMETERY CO.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 58, 9 March 1889, Page 2

AUCKLAND CEMETERY CO.

There was a moderate attendance afc Sb. George's Hall last night to listen to Mr J. A. Connell's proposal wibfi, regard to the establishment of a cemetery, off Richmond "Road. The Mayor of Newton (My W. Ambury) was voted to the chair,, arid briefly introduced Mr J. A. Oonnell. He stated that ifc did not follow th'afc he favoured the scheme because he occupied the chair. He knew practically nothing of Mr Connell's proposals. He liked the idea of bringing the matter before a public meeting. He asked those present to give Mr Connell a patient hearing, and at the conclusion ask any questions. Mr Connell said he wished it to be clearly understood that it was simply a matter of business that he.had to lay before them. It was not a political, matter, neither was he setting up for a philanthropist. He believed the scheme was a good one. He said that he had nine children, and was strongly attached to them. Strange to say, that soon after he came to Auckland four of his children took sick, and that turned his attention to burying. He saw that Waikomiti was a howling wilderness and too far away. Symonds-street was closed, and the next nearest place was near Tamaki. He then looked for a more suitable site for the cemeteiy. The result was that he thought a site on the western side of Cox's Creek, beyond Ponsonby, would suit. his purpose. For one reason that would not contaminate the Western Springs, as the drainage was into the salt water at Cox' 3 Creek. The land chosen •by him could be secured for about £180 par acre. It at present belonged to Mrs A Wood and Mr Faulder, but he had got the offer of it settled, provided the people thought it advisable. He mentioned that at present, according to the Cemeteries Act, there was no law to pro vent them burying their friends in their back garden at Auckland, because there was not now any cemetery within rive miles of the city. Waikomiti was an unreasonable distance away, and that, was the result of it. Another thing was that any religious body could open a cemetery wherever they liked, provided they got the consentof thoColonial Secretary. But it was peculiar that a company had no such power. That meant that it would require a private Bill to be passed through Parliament to get power to open the cemetery. One great objection raised to his scheme was the enormous expense which the city had already gone to in order to start the cemetery^ at Waikomiti. But he might tell them that the sum total of the ratepayers' money spent at W raikoiniti was £2,774 4s, so that it did not really jamount to much. If it was a bad speculation, then tho wiser course was to ;wipe it off as a dead loss. Why should they continue paying four times too much to Iliury at Waikomiti ? Another objection to his scheme was that there would be a smel. ifrom the decomposing bodies. Ho could ■ -tell them that as he drove over Cox's Creek that day there was a smell that was some•thing awful, and it waa blowing right into Ponsonby. It lowered his opinion of the Ponsonby men to think that they ■would stand such an "infernal stink." That came from bodies decomposing on the surface, but if they buried bodies five .Of ten feet deep there was no danger of any smell emanating. He had asked Dr. Knight what lie thought about the matter, and ho said that the well-regulated churchyards at Home were noo offensive. Dr. Davy gave a similar opinion. He further said that it had been proved that water emanating from a cemetery, provided it was low enough down, was not contaminated by the bodies. Another objection was that the proposed cemetery Was in a valley, and the Act stipulated that it should not be placed there. But the meauing of the Act was to regulate cemeteries in thickly-popnlated centres. That would have to be got over •when they went to Parliament for a private Act. He proposed to go to Wellington .himself to pilot that Bill through. The main thing was to satisfy the residents 'of Ponsonby, Arch Hill and Newton that 'there was nothing objectionable in the scheme. In order to do that he would read ■the prospectus over to them, which Was to :the following effect-.—That the Company .'be limited,* with a capital of £20,000 !in 20,000 shaves of £1 each, Is payable on application, Is 6d on allotment, and the balance in calls not exceedIrip- 2s 6d pea- share, at intervals of not less than one nie'nth. It is not proposed at pre- • senttomakeany further calls foratleastabout six months, and in any case not more than 10s per share in all will, it is estimated, be require'd a t 6be called up. This Company is formed frS provide the citizens of Auckland with a suitable and unobjectionable place of places ot burial for their dead. Already tin agreement dated the day of iristanfi has been entered into by on behalf of the Company and Mr Frederick" Earl, sbliciWr, for the conditional purchase of about thirCy-s&ve'h acres of land, being part of original allotments 7 and 8, section 9, suburbs oT Auckland. This land is situated on the western side of Cox's Creek, beyond Ponsonby, having an extensive frorftage to the present formed road. It is eminently suited for cemetery purposes, fteirig all clay land, laid down in fine grass, with drainage into tidal water, with a cheer cul aim beautiful outlook. It is easily accessible fey" a good • metalled roiid, and whilst within easy distance of the _ city, _is yet' quiet and retired in situation, with an exceedingly sparse population in the neighbourhood. The price at which the property has been acquired is so moderate — being at the rate of £180 per acre—that a very large profit may bo confidently looked for from Company's operations. A special feature of this scheme is that each sfkreholder applying for ten or more shares (and'if the whole capital is subscribed, only lOu per share in all is proposed to be called up) will be entitled to the gift of perpetual sight of burial in one extra first-class site, l&ffc by 10ft, for every ten shares applied 'for by him, with the right to ssll or transfer the same. The right of selection oi^ sites will he accorded in the order in which applications for shares are received. As each acre is calculated to yield, after liberal provision for roads, 55 extra firsts-class sites, 16 feet x 10 feet, say ab £10 each, equal to £550; SO first first-class sites, 8 feet x 10 feet say at £5 each, equal to £400 ; 160 second sites, 4 feet by 3 feet, say at £2 each, equal to £320; or a total of £1,470, ie is evident that the amount derived from sales of sites to persons other than shareholders will be more than sufficient to repay the whole of the capital of the Company invested in the purchase of the land, leaving the shareholders in possession of burial places free of cost. It is proposed to lay out the cemetery in the best and most suitable manner, and to plant it with orriamental tree 3 and shrubs, so that it is anticipated it will soon be a favourite resort for the citizens. The Company will be registered as soon as one-third of the capital is subscribed, and unless this amount is subscribed on or before a date to be fixed by the directors, the deposit of applicants will be returned in full. Thereafter the Company will, at tho first session of Parliament, promote a Bill for enabling it fully to carryoutthe objects of its formation. A copy of the memorandum and articles of association of the Company may be inspected tit tho office of the brokers, and inttindhig applicants are invited to peruse tho unxuto before making application for shares. . Application lav fihareii to bo mado to the brokers, MivCpnndl HfcrongLy advised tharse pro- ■;■ mns,js Mk§ fchs .opportunity «? taking up • entires hefcjire longrhea<i<vd syndicate men Stepped jn .ai>d snapped them \i\>. Ho oxplained that if they applied (hut night they were not bound to take up the ehaeeß unless they ratified it by applying at his office :on or before Wednesday next. He then

thanked tho audience for affdrdins; him a patient hearing, and intimated that he was prepared to answer any questions. Mr Upton asked Mr Connell if he proposed to remove the odour referred to at Cox's Creek by putting a cemetery alongside of it.

Mr Connell said they should agitate, agitate, agitate, and worry the man's life out until they got rid of the afcink. Mr Harry Garrafct asked if it required £20,000 to get land property aba time when property was practically unsaleable. Mr Connell explained that the 37 acres would cost £6,660. He reckoned that £2,700 would open up the cemetery, so that only half the capital would be called up. He thought it was probable that tho City Council would oppose tho Bill. It \vould cost from £300 to £400. in passing it through Parliament. It was also intended to take power in the, Bill to open up other cemeteries suitable for various portions of the city. In answer to Mr Garratt, Mr Connell' further said that he was perfectly sure that all present would prefer a nearer cemetery than Waikomiti in which to lay their dead. Mr Garratt objectorl to the idea of having small plots of ground in various places for cemeteries instead of one central cemetery for all. He also challenged the prices. During no time since Auckland waa started were funerals carried out so cheaply as at present at Waikomiti; For instance, 15s would bury a person at Waikomiti, while in the' proposed cemetery the cost was higher. He also objected to there being first, second and third-clasa sites.Mr Connoll said that they 'charged a little more for a site nearer town. With regard to distinctions in sites, that was a trouble with all cemeteries which could not be got over. He calculated that they could bury 44,400 people on their 37 acres. At the rate of 600 per anuum, tho cemetery would last for 74 years. Mr Garratt asked whether the Company could compete with the Council, which did not wish to make profit.

Mr Connell saicl that the cemetery, if well managed, Would pay well. Mr Upton thought that they were all gratified to Mr Connell for bringing the matter forward, as it was one' of importance. He could tell Mr Connell that the trustees of St. John's College believed that good profit would be mado out oi: their proposed" cemetery. Archdeacon Lingard, of Christchurch, had told him that their Anglican cemetery had boon opened 13 years, and tney had only used eight acres, for which tho .receipts had been £5,000. That showed that it would pay. Mr J. T. B. Dines proposed "That Mr Connell's statements be accepted, and that the meeting considers it desirable chat another cemetery be opened." He followed this up by applying for 10 shares on his own behnlf.

Mr F. Cherry seconded the motion. He considered Wsukbniiti both unsuitable and expensive. He considered that a cemetery would beaprotftablehiYOstment. Ho thought that Mi Connell's amount was double the market, value of the ground. The new scheme was too heavily weighted. What they wanted was cheaper burials. (Applause. The land required for a burial should only co.it a few shiliingr, instcaa of the amount proposed by Mr Connell. He, however, quite sympathised with the idea of starting a new cemetery. Mr Connell reminded the meeting that this proposal was simply a matter of business, and not a philanthropic scheme. lie further explained that the distance could be walked easily, which w.a« a great advantage. The question was then put to the meeting, and adopted. Mr Dines further moved, "That this meeting approve of the site selected by Mr Connell." This was seconded by Mr J. Jenkins, ana adopted by those present. '. A vote of thanks was then accorded to both Mr Connell and the Chairman, after which the meeting closed.