CREMATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1907, Page 3

CREMATION.

DEPUTATION TO THE "MAYOR. A deputation-from the Council of the Auckland Cremation Society, -consisting of Messrs il. Al. McCalium (presiuent), R. R. Hunt (hon sec), J- H. Graham, i and Dr. J. 5. Purdy (District Health OfI ficeT), waited upon the Mayor, (Mr -'*• i'M. Myers) this morning, with reference Ito the establishment of a crematorium jin Auckland. Mr McCalium said that j they desired to impress on the Mayor j the" desirability of the Council erecting I a crematorium in Auckland. In W ellingi ton the citizens subscribed £000 and the Council provided the remainder of the 'cost. £550, and provided a site in the • cemetery, in addition to arranging for ' the maintenance and working of the i crematorium. He suggested that the | matter should be similarly taken up in ; Auckland. Dr. J. S. Purdy. referring cs. ! pecially to th« sanitary aspect of the ! question, said that experts in public | health the world over were firmly convinced that cremation was more hygienic , than earth burial. In Auckland there I were alternatives of burial in clay or volcanic soil. In the former decoinpo=i- : tion occupied 12 years, in the latter ' about 12 months, but either might be a menace to the people living in the neighbourhood. Mr McCalium explained that without . the assistance of the Council the Council 1 had been unable to make headway, and when the Council was previously ap- | preached they threw cold water on it. Mr Hunt stated that already £-10 had been subscribed by half a dozen ruemb-.rs. . They were satisi.ed that they could obj tain" the £SGO equal to the amount subscribed in Wellington, if the Council , ! would guarantee to provide the remain- , der required. i The Mayor said that if £500 were ! subscribed" by the public, the Society i would find that the Council would _ enj deavour to -jive fffect to desires. IHe suggested that they should c-ome for- ; ward with n definite sehr-mo showing [what buildings and apparatus were re--1 quired. He believed that the. scheme would then receive sympathetic attention, and, speaking for himself, he said .he was iv sympathy with their proposal. | The deputation 'thanked the Mayor | i and withdrew, undertaking to bring a j scheme before the Council.