ONEHUNGA CEMETERY QUESTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9027, 13 April 1888, Page 6

ONEHUNGA CEMETERY QUESTION.

A meeting of the members of the Onehunga Borough Council was held in the Council chamber last night. There were present: His Worship the Mayor (Dr. W. R. Erson), in the chair; Messrs. Hills, Goldsbury, Tapp, Burden, Hill, Shaldrick, Clark, and Jackson. There were also present by invitation the following clergymen Messrs. Mulgan (Church of England), Father Paul (Roman Catholic), Adams (Presbyterian), Bavin (Wesleyan), and Miller (Congregational).

The Ma tor, in opening the proceedings, said the object of the meeting was to consider the question of providing a cemetery for the town, as the Church of England authorities had received notice that within six months the present cemetery would be closed. The Council recognised the right of discussing the matter of providing a cemetery with the various clergymen, and that was the reason they were requested to be present. A cemetery site had been given to the borough, but legislation prevented them from using it as it was within the boundary, and to get over the difficulty a Bill was taken charge of by the member for Manukau to enable the authorities to secure a cemetery site outside the borough, and to take a portion of the revenue to pay for it, but the Bill met with determined opposition, and it was withdrawn. Sir Maurice Ollorke would be in attendance that evening, and would give some useful information.

Mr. Bavin said he agreed with the Mayor that something Bhould be done, but the responsibility rested with the Council, and therefore it would be better if the Council had some plan to put before them, so that they might work with unity. The Mayor said that the Council had no plan to submit to the meeting, as he thought it better to discuss the matter in the presence of the clergymen, as he was informed that they were all in favour of a cemetery being opened on the reserve.

Mr. Jackson thought the meeting was premature, as it was the duty of the Council to prepare some scheme, and then ask for a discussion on it. It appeared to him that the Mayor was asking the clergymen if they would like the cemetery site (already given) opened ; and he felt surprised at it, as they had already been informed that Parliament would not sanction the opening of it.

At this stage Sir G. M. O'Robke arrived, and pre ".need a copy of the Cemetery Bill. He said that as far back as 1881 he got the present cemetery site, but there was one provision that it should not become the property of the borough until the following session, and then a memorial was placed before the Minister of Lands, urging them to grant it as a reserve for the Howe-street Industrial School. In the following year the Legislature enacted that no new cemetery should be opened within a borough, not with the intention of abolishing the site, but as a general law. He discussed the Bill which was before Paaliament last session, and said that there were now two courses open, viz., to ask Parliament to sanction the use of the present site by altering the Cemeteries Act, or if the borough was in funds they might purchase a site outside the borough. The Council held the reserve in trust, and therefore if they made a request to him he would be glad to render them all the service he could during the coming session. He might mention that when the matter was spoken of before the Legislative Council some time ago, it was said that on no account would permission be given to open a cemetery adjacent to the springs. He held out no hopes of getting the present Bill through Parliament next session.

Mr. Bavin said he thought that in tho Act the word established was used, whereupon the Mayor read the clause as follows: "That no Dew cemetery shall be established within the boundary of any borough, and all Crown grants given for a cemetery are hereby discharged after the passing of this Act." J**

Mr. McxGAN said he cared little where the burial-ground was procured, provided they got one, as he felt sure that the time had arrived when one should be got. He thought that the Governor had power to alter the boundary of the borough. [A voice : " Not without dissolving the present Council."] Well, he thought that if the difficulty could be got over by dissolving the Council that should be of little moment, as they could be again elected, Mr. Goldsbury thought it would be madness to rush into needless expense, as already they had expended over £20. Land outside the borough was very reasonable now, and the better plan would be to negotiate for the purchase of a few acres to provide a

cemetery. The Rev. Father Pautc said that for years past they had been endeavouring to get a cemetery, and it appeared to him that they were in the same position as they had been all along. He favoured the idea of opening the present site. The Mayor suggested that a committee be nominated, and on his motion / Messrs. Burden, Clark, Goldsbury, Tapp, and the mover were appointed on behalf of the Council, while the Revs. Bavin, Mulgan, Miller, and Adams were appointed to represent the several congregations to discuss the matter and report to the Council.