Pahiatua Cemetery

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 190, 13 August 1936, Page 2

Pahiatua Cemetery

A report from tiro cemetery committee made certain recommendations to repairs and painting of tho cottage at the cemetery Reserve etc. This report was tabled at the council meeting on Monday night. It was recommended that am advertisement to be inserted in newspapers calling attention to the raising of a loan of £BSO on a 15-years term on tho instalment repayment system.

Tho Mayor moved the adoption of the report subject to the deletion of this clause. His reason for this was that the terms' of the loan were nut such as private investors would care to subscribe to it, and therefore it was of little use seeking to do so by this means. As the other financial concerns approached were not interested in a loau of this type at 61 per cent, he suggested approaching the Loans Board and seeking their permission to raise a loan at a slightly increased rate of interest.

Cr. Murphy thought they might be able to obtain tho money locally, although he understood the repayment was probably a difficulty. • The Mayor agreed and said that the yearly repayment system was no use to the private lender. From enquiries made locally among the solicitors who usually had such money available at the rate offered, ho had ■ found that there was no money available. Cr. Moriarty said that as a member of the Cemetery Committee he was sorry he could not support the adoption of the report, but he received a report a few days previously which had involved his resignation from the committee. He then attacked the validity of the loan and quoted from tho State Fire Office showing that the cover on the house at the Cemetery Reserve had been written down to £375. He aiso wanted to know why debts incurred in March, 1935, were down to be paid for now and also referred to the Lad state of the house and fences, which, he contended, made the property belorv the value put on it. The Mayor, in referring to the money outstanding, explained that when the place was taken over the arrangement was that the merchants concerned should wait for their money. The speaker aiso -pointed out that tho house had been inspected on ouo of the company's periodical visits, and owing to the state of the chimneys, etc., had been written down. It was mentioned by Cr. Carthew that the application to the Loans Board would bring either a negative or an affirmative answer, and, in the ease of the latter, would doubtless be covered with instructions concerning any othe: procedure necessary to bo made as far as the ratepayers were concerned —this being the point which Cr. Moriarty was apparently apprehensive over. The Mayor remarked that they at ready had the property whereon Cr. Moriarty asked what the loan was for. Cr. Siddells then explained it had been bought on mortgage which the Council wished to clear. “Well, why not out of revenue?’’ carried on Cr. Moriarty. “Have you ever bought anything on ’tick’?” asked Cr. Donald. “No,’’ answered Cr. Moriarty. Cr. Donald: "Well, you haven’t had much to sell then.’’ Cr. Moriarty: “No motor-cars at any rate.’' (Laughter). The Mayor then explained the details lending up to and culminating ui the exchange of an original cemetery for the present burial ground and how the Council had paid out a small interest held by tho leasee in tho newlyacquired property, the total cost of which, was £(160. Cr. Moriarty wanted to know why, if the cost as only some £GGO, they required the £BOO. Cr. Donald: “To improvo it.’’ The latter pointed out that tho balance of the money would be required to put down the footpaths and do up the fences, etc. Cr. Siddells explained that if the house was insured for £375, this represented only three-quarters of its value, which could be taken as £SOO, added to which there were 10 acres of land worth £4O an acre. Cr. Brown: “More like £50.” Cr. Moriarty remarked that the previous owner had it begging from door to door before he finally got the Council to take it over. Cr. Brown: "It was a unique opportunity.’’ Cr. Murphy was of the opinion that when tho repairs were carried out the insurances would bo restored. The Mayor agreed that it was ■ a good deal as far as the Borough was concerned, notwithstanding all Cr. Moriarty’s remarks. Cr. Moriarty maintained that tho

place was only worth J.os per week, and took exception to the Mayor for trying to descredit him. The Mayor then pointed out that (Jr. Moriarty had tried to discredit the Cemetery Trustees by what ho had said, and also that lie had made statements which were absolutely incorrect. At this Cr. Moriarty rose and challenged the Mayor to name such and the latter pulled out a drawer at the head of the table and proceeded to read newspaper extracts from Cr. Moriarty's pre-election speech, referring to a gift of £2OO which Mr Moriarty had saw! had bceu made by the Labour Goverument in connection with the purchase of the new cemetery section. "Did the Labour Government give us that?’' asked the Mayor. “Of course they did I" answered Cr. Moriarty. "Do you think the Tory Government would have given it to you?" The records were then examined and it was revealed that the Council had obtained the freedom of the section before the election took place. Another case concerning the freeholding of the section was then quoted by the Mayor in support of his contention. Cr. Moriarty then said: "Why didn’t you answer that before when i gave you the opportunity of doing so?" The Mayor: "I was not going up on the platform to tell the people about your rubbish.” Cr. Moriarty: "Why question it now then?" The Mayor’s proposal that the Clause be deleted and replaced with a fresh clause whereby the Council should make a request to the Local Bodies Lonns Board for permission to raise a loan at a slightly higher rate of interest was .then put to the meeting and carried.