MEMORIAL PARK TYPE CEMETERY FOR GREYMOUTH

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 June 1950, Page 5

MEMORIAL PARK TYPE CEMETERY FOR GREYMOUTH

The Greymouth Borough Council last night decided, unanimously, to develop the new cemetery extension at ICaroro in the form of a memorial park cemetery. Members of _ the council who had previously indicated that they were in favour of a lawn cemetery stated that they -had changed their opinions after inspecting the Bromley lawn cemetery at Christchurch and they supported the proposal for a memorial park type. It was explained that in the memorial park cemeteries, there were no concrete surrounds on the graves. Instead, there was a beam of concrete at the top of the grave, upon which small headstones were set, with a maximum height of 3ft or 3ft 6in. The remainder of the cemetery would be kept in lawn.

Two Alternatives

Opening the discussion, the Mayor (Mr F. F. Boustridge) said that councillors would recall that an intimation was given at the last meeting .that the form of the new cemetery would be decided upon this month. He suggested that, to shorten the discussion, the council might agree to debate the merits of a memorial park type as against a straight-out -ilawn cemetery. to Illustrations of both types were placed before the councillors and the Mayor indicated the requirements of the memorial park type. Cr F. Sadler said he had visited the Bromley lawn cemetery and he took a “very dim view” of its appearance. Grass was growing across the plaques and flowers left to wither on the graves gave the whole cemetery the appearance of a very deserted paddock. To his mind, the memorial park type was much to be preferred and was just as economical in upkeep. At one time, said Cr G. R. Harker, he was very keen on a lawn cemetery and he' thought it would be possible to get a much better lawn at Greymouth than at Bromley. At the same time he was just afraid that flowers would be left to wither and the effect would be untidy. He was how in favour of the memorial park type. Cr H. Hutchinson said he agreed with the previous speakers. Every person, he believed, should have the right to erect a headstone, within keeping with the general scheme. . Respect For The Dead The Mayor said that he also had lost all desire to see a lawn cemetery in Greymouth and he did not think the people would appreciate it. He did not think that it would give the suggestion of respect for the dead that all desired to have. On the motion of the Mayor, it was decided to adopt the memorial park type of cemetery and to arrange for a display of illustrations in a shop window in town, for the information, of the public. . The question of drawing up the necessary by-laws for such a cemetery was held over. The Mayor indicated that the Returned Services’ Association was prepared, to follow the lead of council in regard to the tj r pe of cemetery for the soldiers’ section. Present at the meeting were: The Mayor (Mr F. F. Boustridge), Crs J. E. Stokes, H. Hutchinson, W. Herring, F. Sadler, G. R. Harker, J. Blanchfield, the engineer (Mr A. J. Fairmaid) and the clerk (Mr N. E. Clemens).