GHOULISH ADVERTISING

Evening Star, Issue 21722, 17 May 1934, Page 15

GHOULISH ADVERTISING

ON BURIAL PLOT KERBINGS STONEMASONS' CUSTOM CONDEMNED Condemnation of the practice of stonemasons of inscribing their names in black letters on the kerbings surrounding burial plots at the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery was expressed at the meeting last night of the committee of the Dunedin Amenities Society. Mr George Simpson complained that an inspection of the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery revealed a ghoulish instinct by masons to place their names oh tombs all over the cemetery. The Chairman (Mr Crosby Morris) : It is awful. Mr Simpson; .1 think it is disgusting. Mr D. Tan nock (reserves curator,) said the society could not take action. The graves belonged to private individuals, who could put anything they wished, except ridiculous inscriptions, on the stones and kerbings. Mr A. C. Cameron said publicity of the society’s deprecation of the custom might be helpful. Mr Tannock said he had previously urged without success that kerbings should be abolished. At Inverness the plots were without railings, and the effect was very neat and tidy. The soldiers’ section of the Anderson’s Bay Cemetery illustrated the neatness that could bo effected. “If the general public knew of this they would refuse to allow it to continue. The practice is horrible,” said Mr Simpson, who moved that the society expresses regret at the custom of monumental firms in placing their names as advertisements on kerbings of grave plots. Mr 6. Crow: They are advertisements. Mr Cameron said the custom could not be prohibited immediately, firstly, the public would have to be educated. The motion was carried. Suggestions by Mr Benzoin that the council be asked to set aside an area in which kerbings would bo prohibited and that trees bo planted at the cemetery were referred to the sub-commit-toe.