WEEDS AT PUREWA CEMETERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22355, 28 February 1936, Page 15

WEEDS AT PUREWA CEMETERY

Sir, —I quite agree with the remarks of "Constant Visitor," "D.S." and "Another Constant Visitor" as to the disgraceful state of Purewa Cemetery. The usual practice seems to be to allow all weeds to ripen and distribute seed before anything is done to check them. At present many of the paths cannot be traversed without brushing through paspalum seed stalks from both sides, from which in fine weather a gummy exudation damages one's clothes, and after rain wets one through from the knee down. The very rough state of the main drive from where it forks is also very trying to both pedestrians and motorists. Anglican. Sir, —The remarks of "Constant Visitor" are in no way exaggerated, and if Mr. Harold Nicholson chooses to get into touch with me I will very quickly prove it by taking him round the cemetery and pointing out its appalling condition. I can hardly believe that he has seen more than the entrance, and feel sure that he cannot have any' of his dear ones resting there, or he would realise the terrible depression the state of the cemetery produces in one who is a constant and regular visitor. I will show Mr. Nicholson where convolvulus, the growth of many weeks, is spreading over the footpaths, which themselves are broken and in a shocking state of disrepair. I will show him large tracts where the weeds have been allowed undisputed sway and where the paspalum nearly meets across the paths, making it unpleasant and sticky to walk along them. I will show him the spaces between the graves and the unoccupied plots a mass of tangled weeds. I will show him a heap of broken concrete that has been lying in a bend in the drive for very many months. There is no cemetery I have been in that depresses me more, and few that I have seen that could be made more beautiful. Thp stat-e of the majority of the graves themselves does not tend to increase one's faith in nor respect for human nature. Stones containing the most pious and loving sentiments stand over masses of weeds and broken concrete. Many neglected graves are of quite recent origin. Another Visitor.