TIMARU CEMETERY BOARD.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3318, 20 November 1883, Page 2

TIMARU CEMETERY BOARD.

A meeting of the Cemetery Board was held yesterday afternoon. Present —Messrs J. H. Sutter (Chairman), F. Archer, J. Hamilton, M. Jonas, T. Harney, and J. Jackson. JEWS’ GEOUND. The first business was the question of the ground set apart for the Jewish community. It will be remembered, that at the previous meeting of the Board, it was resolved that the Jewish congregation, having been granted a piece of ground which appeared larger than they were likely to need, should be asked to give back a portion, especially as the cemetery was rapidly filling up ; and that the Chairman be requested to obtain the concession. The Chairman now stated that he had, as directed, communicated with the Jewish congregation on the subject; and they had replied to the effect that they would give back three plots of the ground on condition that the Board would erect a fence round the remainder.

Mr Jonas said, speaking not only as a member of the Jewish community but also as a member of the Board, that he considered the proposal a very just and reasonable one. The Jews invariably placed head stones and other adornments on their graves, and it was proposed by the Board to bury strangers on the ground which the Jews were asked to yield back. Stranger’s graves were not generally adorned and if there were no fence between these and the Jew's ground, the latter would be rendered unsightly and this would be painful for them (the Jews) to observe. Ho pointed out on the plan that only two sides would need fencing and ho thought it was only fair that the Board should do this, considering that they (the Jewish congregation) were giving back three plots, representingl2o grave spaces. It was no fault of tho Jewish congregation that theyhad had allotted to them so large a piece of ground, they took what the trustee gave them some seven or eight years ago ; and it must bo remembered that the ground, having been consecrated, could not legally be taken from them. Mr Jackson suggested a broom fence. Tho caretaker (Mr Drake) said a picket fence would cost about £ls. Mr Hamilton said it was a pity that the question had been raised. He advised the Jewish congregation to be magnanimous and do the fencing themselves.

Mr Jonas thought the voluntary surrender of the ground entitled them to the fence. It was a quid pro quo. If not, the Board had better not accept the ground. Mr Archer moved and Mr Jackson seconded —“ That the proposition from the Hebrew community, contained in their letter, be entertained, and that a picket fence, at a cost not exceeding £ls, be erected at the cost of the Board round sections , the remaining sections being conceded to the Board.” NEW XiUILDINGS. Tenders for the building of an office, and tool-house, painting plastering and drainage, in connection with the Mortuary chapel and the caretakers house wore received, as follows : —O. Pulliaer, £121) 10s ; J. Dockrill, £l3O ; Henderson, £l3Blos ;W. Wood, £146 ; J. K. Gason, £IOO.

Mr Palliser’s tender, having no deposit enclosed was deemed informal. The Chairman was in favor of accepting it, and Mr Hamilton offered to his cheque for the amount of the deposit. Mr Jonas and others, however, considered that this would not be fair to other tenderers. Mr Hamilton moved the acceptance of Mr Palliser’s tender, but there being no seconder, the motion lapsed. A motion by Mr Jonas, seconded by Mr Archer, to the effect that Dockrill’s tender be accepted, was carried. Mr Hamilton dissenting. Mr Duval (Architect), who was in attendance, submitted plans and specifications, and explained the particulars of the work. The Board decided that the new building (tool-house and office conjoined) should be placed at the corner of the path on entering the cemetery, opposite the notice board. The meeting then terminated.