A GHASTLY STORY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 16138, 15 January 1913, Page 12

A GHASTLY STORY.

REVOLTING GRAVEYARD METHODS. COFFINS AND BONES ON RUBBISH HEAPS. United Preso Association —B 7 Filectrio Telegraph—<Jopyright. HOBART, January 14. A revolting 6tato of affairs has been revealed at tho Quoensborough cemetery. A gravediggor who ivas dismissed made a statement to the Health Department and the Press in which he alleges that it has been the practice for a year past to remove coffins from graves in order to permit of fresh burials. There was no room to replace the disinterred shells nor their gruesome contents, thejresult being that they were piled one upon another on rubbish heaps, and in some instances burned. On one occasion, in trying to find room for another cpffin, tho pick pierced the lid of a shell and was embedded in a skull, which it brought from the casket.

Dr Sprott, reporting to the Board of Health, says that he verified many of the gravedigger's statements, more particularly regarding the inability to replace tho coffins after a fresh burial. He had no hesitation in saying that the method of disposing of the dead filled him with horror and amazement. It was a real danger to the public health.