Addington Cemetery

Press, 25 August 1983, Page 20

Addington Cemetery

Sir,—Some weeks ago, my sister wrote to “The Press” expressing concern over the disappearance of our grandparents’ grave in the Addington Cemetery, and a less-than-satisfactory explanation by the Town Clerk was appended. While it is obvious that vandals have had free rein in causing destruction in the cemetery, this does not explain the complete disappearance of many graves, including their concrete tops, headstones, and railings. A large number of graves have been completey obliterated by clay dumped over the top. If the vehicle entrance is kept locked as stated, we could be forgiven for the thought that this has been done by council policy so that in time all the graves of the early settlers there will be no more and the land can be used for other purposes.—Yours, etc., L. M. HALL. August 4, 1983.

[The General Manager and Town Clerk for the Christchurch City Council, Mr J. H. Gray, replies: “I can assure your correspondent that the council’s parks department has never removed concrete tops, headstones, or railings from the Addington Cemetery although, of course, many graves have never had headstones or other marks of identification. A tidy-up of the cemetery is being carried out at present and I hope that the result of this will alleviate your correspondent’s understandable concern.”]