REMOVING A REPROACH.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 136, 11 June 1927, Page 18

REMOVING A REPROACH.

CONDITION OF BURIAL GROUND. O'XKILL'S POIXT ( KMKTKRY DISCUSSED. The allegation made at a recent borough council meeting that O'Xeill's Point cemetery was "the worst in New Zealand" was ventilated at a public meeting held last evening at the Municipal Chambers. Devon|»ort. The Mayor of the borough. Mr. E. Aldridge. presided, and in his introductory remarks acknowledged the deplorable condition of this burial ground. "Its general appearance is very unsatisfactory.'' said the Mayor, '"but the borough council must not be held entirely to hlame for its neglect. The fact that it is :?7 years since it was first o]K?ned. and that burials have been continuous during the cn-uing period, makes it apparent that the vicissitude!- of Time are playing their part in its present condition. The family owners of the older burial plots have either died or left the country, or no longer take much interest in the events of the past." The point was also -tressed that when the council sold a plot it became the private property of the purchaser, and the council's responsibility should pro|>erly be confined to fences, paths, and general upkeep. With regard to the alleged misuse of the mortuary chapel. Mr. Aldridge stated that arrangements would be made for proper tool repositories when the fire towers were removed from Devonport's roads at the installation of the automatic fire alarms. The speaker appealed for the co-operation of all concerned in the remedying of a state of affairs which reflected badly on the whole community. The cemetery account was in credit only £114. but this would be available as the nucleus of any sum to be used for the improvement of the cemetery.

"Not only is O'Neill's Point cemetery the worst in New Zealand, but I would affirm that it is the worst in the world," was-the sweeping indictment of the Rev. M. Finch. It was his opinion that the improvement of the cemetery was a community obligation, and he suggested that a special loan should be raised for the purpose. Messrs. Harvey

and Mason supported this proposition, which was subsequently modified by * motion by the Rev. Lawson Marsh that a sum of £1000 should be raised by public subscription for the renovation and drainage of the area. Mr. Massey suggested that any sum so raised, if utilised for the relief of unemployment, might carry an equal subsidy from the R.S.A. or the Government. This matter was remitted to a committee appointed by the meeting to consider details of a campaign which would include circularising all jflofc holders to contribute an annual charge for maintenance, as well as arranging for a public subscription to reach tbe objective of the fund. It was further resolved that tha cdhncils of Takapuna and Devonport should be asked to unitedly help in the matter. Mr. J. W. Williamson promised to bring the matter before his council and to arrange for a public meet* ing in Takapuna to advance the project. Mr. J. Hislop, Deputy Mayor of Devonport. was appointed chairman of tho committee to organise the effort, and a meeting was arrangvd for next MondaT evening in the borouch council chambera to consider details of the campaign.