BUILT ON A GRAVEYARD

Evening Star, Issue 17764, 12 September 1921, Page 2

BUILT ON A GRAVEYARD

■ KARORI BOROUGH COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Inquiries made by Mr J. Burns (a member of tho Wellington City Council) in respect to the old Karori Borough Council Chambers and the land on which the building stands have disclosed a rather remarkable position (says tho 1 Dominion ’). This was explained by AH' Burns to a meeting held under the auspices of the Karori Progressive Association on Thursday night to disciiM the erection of a public hall for the district. Mr Burns said that the land was given to tho Protestant settlers of Karori. in 1844 for tho erection of'a place of worship, and the early settlers erected a small chapel out of voluntary contributions. In 1848 the chapel was enlarged by the settlers. About 1880, other places of worship having been erected, tho attendance fell away, and tho building was used as a library, 'ns well ns" for meetings of the Road Board. Owing to its dilapidated condition the building was vacated in 1896. In 1902 the only remaining trustee, Mr Robinson, agreed to a request that the property should bo vested in the Karori Borough Council, but stipulated that a tablet should be erected to the memory of .Mr and Mm George Collier, Mr Collier having been for many years treasurer- of tho trustees of the property. From 1844 to 1863 all burials in tho district were made in tho chancl section, and it was estimated that about 100 persons were buried there,

An extraordinary position had been created through the Borough Council actually erecting tho present building over the graves. Not only was a mistake made in building on the graveyard, but a greater mistake had been made in not sccuring a title to tho land. Neither the old Karori Council nor the City Council held a title—it was just a little bit of “No Man’S" Land.” Tho tablet to the memory of Mr and Mrs Collier war, never erected. Mr Burns suggested that_ the City Council should be approached with a view to removing the building to tho adjoining section, which was owned by the city. Tho graveyard ehould_ Ire handed over to tho Cemetery Committee, and a tablet, •as stated, erected. With slight alterations to the building it. should meet the needs of the district until some financial stability was reached. It was not possible for the City Council to assist in the building of a town hall at tho present juncture. It was left to the Progressive Association to deal further with the matter.