STATE OF A CEMETERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19659, 10 June 1927, Page 14

STATE OF A CEMETERY.

THE NEED FOR RENOVATION. POSITION AT O'NEILL'S POINT. MOVEMENT TO RAISE FUNDS. Considerable interest has been aroused among residents of the boroughs of Devonport and Takapuna as the result of recent criticism of the condition of O'Neill's Point Cemetery. A meeting of those interested decided last evening that £IOOO or upwards should be raised for the renovation and drainage of the cemetery. There was a large attendance, the Mayor of Devonport, Mr. E. Aldridge, presiding. Mr. Aldridge said the cemetery had fallen into a deplorable state of disrepair, and while the Devonport Borough Council was willing to take some share of the responsibility, it was not willing to shoulder the whole of it. The council was responsible for the paths, fences and general appearance, but the burial plots were the property of the purchasers- '' Public conscience must be awakened in this matter," added Mr. Aldridge. "Labour, money, and incentive will be required. We have £ll4 to the credit of the cemetery account, and this will be the nucleus of any fund for improvement." "Taking into account the size of the boroughs concerned and the number of people in them, this is the worst cemetery in the world," declared the Rev. M. Finch. "The paths are the utter limit, and the least the council could do would be to put them in order. Indignation concerning this matter has been expressed throughout the district. Until the borough does its bit, yon cannot expect individuals to do anything." The Mayor of Takapuna, Mr. J. W. Williamson, said he would undertake that his council did its share. A suggestion that a special rate be struck for the upkeep of the cemetery rnet with opposition. Several speakers expressed the view that the work was not one for ratepayers alone, but for the whole community. It was decided thai all burial plot holders should be circularised with a view ,to gaining their co-operation; that a house to house subscription be taken in the boroughs of Devonport and Takapuna; that both borough councils, th»> Government, the Returned Soldiers' Association, and the Patriotic Association be asked to subsidise funds raised. A large committee was appointed to co-operate with the Devonport Borough Council in the matter of raising funds. Mr. Williamson undertook to call a similar meeting of Takapuna residents j with "a view to gaining their support-