PIONEER GRAVES.

Grey River Argus, 13 January 1928, Page 6

PIONEER GRAVES.

Borough Council’s Decision. ) TO HAVE THEM RENOVATED. The G repp out h Borough Council received last evening a letter from ’he •Secretory of the Diamond Jubilee Committee (Mr C. 11. Rose), requesting that the Council should attend to the renovation of the graves of pioneers at the Cemetery, stating the Committee desired to draw the Council’s attention to their condition. The Mayor (Mr J. W. Greenslade) said he had only that day learned Ot Hie public, discussion in his absence on ! this matter. There might be in the district relatives of some of the deceased pioneers., but not of all, and he had discussed this matter some time ago with the Organiser of the Jubilee, Mr Lord, in view of the fact that many pioneers would return for the Jubilee, and would not like it if they saw their old comrades’ graves were neglected. The matter had not, therefore, been quite overlooked, and it had been his intention to bring it before the Council, so that something should be done to renovate the graves. It was now fc.r the Council to say what should be done. He inquired if a sum of money had not. been subscribed for the work. Cr O’Brien said that a subscription had been suggested. The Mayor said they could refer the matter to the Works Committee. Ci J. B. Kent said it could be referr- < d to the Cemetery Committee. Cr O’Brien said that it was the Council’s duty to do something to renovate those of the pioneers’ graves that were neglected. He recalled *how on one occasion, when a visit a few years ago was paid to graves at Dobson, renovation was found necessary. Recently there had been talk of the relatives of pioneers being offended if their graves were interfered with, but there was noHiing in such talk. No relatives would take offence if graves were made presentable. It was for the Council tc

remove the appearance of neglect. Graves were overgrown by grass, especially at this season of the year, and it looked as if nothing at all had been done to them. It was not necessary to make the graves appear as if new ones, but it would be a pleasure to visiting relatives if they saw that something had been done to the graves. Each grave should be made presentable, not merely those of pioneers, but any others in need of attention. The work would not be very costly, as the employment of a man along with the sexton for a few days would enable the job to be carried out. They should not refer the matter to any Committee,, as that might only mean the work would be deferred, and that after the delay they would rush the job in the last day or two. lie thought the graves needing renovation could at cnec be given attention. The work was for the General Committer to deal with. Cr Kent moved that the Engineer be authorised tc have the work done forthwith. Seconding the motion, Cr O’Brien said that every grave, especially plo neers’ graves, should at once be given attention, especially as a few days’ work would suffice for what was required. The Mayor said this was something the Council should do. The Engineer did not consider it an extensive job Cr Kent said that some members of the Committees who might seem to be blameworthy in the matter wore not very much so, because there had been a. reshuffling of Committees, and some members of these were uncertain whe tlicr or not the work was within their sphere. The motion was carried.