CARE OF WAR GRAVES

Taranaki Daily News, 12 June 1931, Page 9

CARE OF WAR GRAVES

PLOT AT TE HENUT. The maintenance of the soldiers’ plot at Te Henui cemetery, New Plymouth, has recently been discussed by the War Graves Committee. When the plot was set aside it was considered that it would be used very little for years to come. This did not prove to be the case, and before long it was found to be the last resting place for an increasing number of New Zealand soldiers and of Imperial men who died in the district.

The question of the erection of headstones arose and it was found that the Government, to which the committee looked, would hold itself responsible only for the stones on the graves of soldiers who died as a direct result of war disabilities. These were represented by 11 headstones in the plot. Very few of the deaths could be. directly traced to that source, and the present committee was formed to devise ways and means to carry out the work. It was found impossible to draw on any funds for the work, and it was in the face of this difficult} 7 that the committee set out. Voluntary subscriptions were solicited, and later an appeal was made through the Press, the result of which was not .by any means up to expectations However, as many stones as possible were erected, and an appeal to the Rotary Club was generously responded to, that body making itself responsible for a stone each year. Last year the trustees of the New Plymouth Savings Bank allocated £25 towards the work, and a similar grant was made this year. The Victoria League also helped, as did a small number of the citizens. Collection boxes wci‘e placed at the gates of Pukekura Park on Anzac Day and the response to this appeal was gratifying; as nearly £S was raised. Un-

fortunately, each year sees an increasing number of stones required, and with few exceptions the committee has to shoulder the responsibility. The following gives, an idea of the work already done: —Number of stones to date 41. number erected last year 6, number still to be erected 8, average, cost of stone £9