NOT FAVOURED.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 19317, 23 May 1928, Page 11

NOT FAVOURED.

EXTENSION TO BROMLEY CEMETERY. PUBLIC MEETING PROTESTS. The proposal of the Christchurch City Council to extend the cemetery at Bromley is viewed with disfavour by residents of that district, and at a public meeting in Bromley School last evening a deputation was appointed to wait on the City Council at its next meeting. A motion also was carried protesting against the proposal to extend the cemetery. There was an attendance of about 40 people, Mr C. Flavcll (chairman of the Heathcote County Council) being voted to the chair. There also were present City Councillors D. G. Sullivan, M.P., and T. H. Butterfield. In opening the meeting, the chairman said that the residents of Bromley were opposed to the City Council's proposal to extend the cemetery, which was not desirable, as the growth of the City would undoubtedly extend through the districts of Avonside and Bromley. Mr H. Moore (representing the Heathcote County Council) said that he had convened the meeting at the request of a number of residents, who ■were opposed to the idea of further land being obtained for the cemetery at Bromley. He hoped that those present would express their opinions freely. An Alternative. Cr. Butterfield said that the matter would be discussed at the next meeting of the City Council. Personally, he supported the views of the residents of Bromley, and he would oppose the extension of the cemetery there. "Some months ago I intimated to the sub-committee of the Reserves Committee set up to consider the question of obtaining additional ground for a cemetery that I would oppose strenuously any extension at Bromley," said Cr. Sullivan. "The residents of this district have shown previously that they are hostile to such a proposal, and I intend to support them to the best of my .ability," The matter had been brought up, lie said, at the last meeting of the City Council, a special clause being contained in the report of the Reserves Committee. It had been decided, in the meantime, not to finalise the proposal v.ntil the opinion of the residents of the district had been obtained. In Cr. Sulli-, van's opinion, the cemetery at Bromley would serve all requirements for another 12 years; and then again, the time was not far distant when Bromley would become a fine residential suburb of Christchurch, in view of which it was not desirable to have a larger cemetery there. The Council owned 62 acres at Bottle Lake which could be made available for the purpose of a cemetery. To purchase additional property at Bromley would involve the Council in an expenditure of thousands of. pounds, and this could be saved by making use of the property at Bottle Lake. At present the argument was that Bottle Lake was too far out, but it had to be considered that in 10 or 12 years' time this area would not be very far from the City. Mr G. King suggested that the' land for the cemetery should be obtained in Papanui or Sockburn. He was sure that a good site could be found in that locality. A voice: What - about Fendalton? (Laughter.) Golf Links, Not a Cemetery. Mrs Christian said that a land agent, hadcome to enquire if'she would sell her property, as it was wanted for a golf links. It was not until some time later that she was told that it was required for an extension to the cemetery. • Cr. Sullivan said that in all probability the agent had made this statement in order that the price could be kept down, for if 1 it were known that the City Council was after land in that locality prices would have gone up with a bump.. (Laughter.) After further discussion, a motion was carried protesting against the proposal to extend the Bromley cemetery, and a deputation consisting of Mrs Christian and Messrs H. Moore and J. Huggins was appointed to wait on the City Council. It was decided also to send a petition signed by ratepayers to the Council.