OLD GRAVES AT PATEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19761, 7 October 1927, Page 12

OLD GRAVES AT PATEA.

MEN KILLED IN MAORI WAR. CENTRALISATION SUGGESTED. " [BY TEItEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] PATEA, Thursday. The Patea Borough Council at its last meeting received a letter from the Health Department to the effect that there were remains of soldiers who fell during the Maori War buried n the borough, and it was suggested that the council should apply to have them reburied in the local cemetery. The Mayor said the people should see that the graves of those who fell in the Maori War were not neglected, for it was those pioneers who made it possible for the people of New Zealand to live as they were doing at present. Mr. Christensen said he did not think they should interfere with the Maori graves as the natives did not like them disturbed. If the Health Department would undertake the cost and the work of removing the remains of the Europeans he thought that the work should be done. He moved that the department should be asked if it would do this. Mr. Pettigrew, in seconding the> motion pro forma, said he thought it rather ridiculous to take ap remains that had lain in the ground for over 50 years. Tt was decided that a letter be uent to the Health Department in the terms of Mr Christ en sen's motion.