Grave markings removed

Press, 29 December 1986, Page 8

Grave markings removed

Extra grave markings have been removed from a grave in Ruru Lawn Cemetery because they did not comply with Christchurch City bylaws. Mrs Margaret Kingen was told in November she had to remove the large metal cross, stone chip, and sunken metal surround she had placed round her husband’s grave. Council officers had said grave markings were limited to sunken plaques at the cemetery to make mowing and maintenance easy. Mrs Kingen had dressed the grave to stop it from

being lost among the rows of plaques, many of which were sinking further into the ground and being covered with the sandy soil in the area, she asserted. After a month of defending the grave against the by-laws, Mrs Kingen relented “to save any more grief.” She went to move the markings two weeks ago, but the cross and metal surround would not fit in her car. Council staff delivered the pieces for her the next day. Mrs Kingen is still far from happy with the cemetery. She says she will not pay for an ap-

proved plaque until the council fulfills a promise of maintenance in the area. The $5OO needed for a plaque was too much after already spending $6OO on the banned markings. A bunch of flowers and a small plaque taken from the centre of the cross were all that now marked Mr Ed Kingen’s grave. Mrs Kingen said she noticed many people visiting the cemetery on Christmas Day who were not able to find the graves of relatives. “At least what I have done highlights the situation there,” she said.