CEMETERIES IN CITY

Press, Volume LXXXIIi, Issue 25302, 30 September 1947, Page 2

CEMETERIES IN CITY

FUTURE CONTROL BY COUNCIL

BARBADOES STREET AND ADDINGTON

The Church of England portion of the Barbadoes street cemetery, and the Presbyterian cemetery in Addington, will be controlled by the Christchurch City Council in future. The council decided at its meeting last evening to take over the two, cemeteries, subject to a definite undertaking being given by the Church Property Trustees and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church that they will support legislation at an opportune time for the removal of headstones, and in the case of the Barbadoes street cemetery, that the capital investment be handed over instead of the annual interest only. A sub-committee consisting of the chairman of the reserves committee (Cr. J. N. Clarke), Cr. J. L. Hay, and the Director of Reserves (Mr M. J. Barnett), which interviewed representatives of the Church Property Trustees and St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, stated in a report that although it would cost the council between £3OO and £4OO a year to keep the cemeteries in good order, it was felt that there was an obligation on the council to assume control. Both areas would make good sites for children’s playgrounds in the future when the city would have made considerable expansion. The report added that the Barbadoes street Cemetery had an area of approximately five and a half acres, and contained the graves of some of theearliest of the Canterbury settlers. It was originally owned by the Canterbury Association. As the cemetery contained the graves of many prominent figures closely associated with the early history and development of Christchurch and Canterbury, the present owners of plots were not in favour of supporting legislation to have the headstones compulsorily removed until the time was considered more opportune. The sub-committee agreed that there was a certain amount of moral obligation to retain some at this stage. The trustees were prepared to pay to the council the sum of £727, plus the interest on an investment of £4OOO, estimated to produce £l3O- a year. Referring to the Addington cemetery, the report stated that its area was five acres, and all of the area for interments had been sold. The average number of burials was about 50 a year, but this number would steadily decrease. The assets which would be handed over amounted to £4OOO, including £2600 in cash invested at 2| per cent. The cemetery had been maintained from revenue, but it appeared that now the revenue and interest- from investments would not meet the annual costs. Cr. J. E. Tait suggested that it was not wise to ask the controlling bodies not to oppose the removal of the tombstones in future. This question would settle itself in time. The clause should be deleted. 9 The Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) said he desired some action for the removal of the tombstones so the land could be used for other purposes, but he thought it was perfectly futile to do it in this way. His idea was that the tombstones should be moved to one section of the cemetery. Cr. Hay said quite a number of the tombstones had been removed already, and he thought the clause should stand. The Church Property Trustees had readily agreed to the proposal. Cr. Clarke said the opportune time to bring down legislation would be when the cemetery was absolutely closed, and there . were no more burials. After further discussion Cr. Tait agreed to withdraw his amendment.