The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1914. WHO IS TO BLAME ?

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 289, 13 February 1914, Page 2

The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1 3, 1914. WHO IS TO BLAME ?

THE question is a pertinent one and one to which every townsman is seeking a reasonable reply, for if there is any one thing which more than anything else reflects discredit upon those who control our civic affhirs, it is the shocking delay that has been occasioned in the acquirement of a new cemetery site for the public cemetery at Te Awamutu. For many years it has been recognised that St. John’s churchyard is overcrowded, and it is only natural that some steps should have been taken to attempt to make provision for a public burial ground. Over three years ago, realising the urgent need of undertaking the necessary preliminaries, the townspeople in meeting deputed three of their number to inspect certain localities and determine upon what was considered the most suitable' site. This was accordingly done and the Town Board, through its solicitors, forthwith entered into negotiations for the acquirement of the land. That was over three years ago, and since then these negotiations have dragged wearily along until to-day, instead of having in its possession the title deeds of the land the Town Board, as the party responsible for the completion of the purchase, has only provided'evidence of wanton indifference and criminal neglect. We have been told that the delay has not been of the Board’s own seeking, and >are ready to make full allowance for the unexpected circumstances that arose, and which further delayed the then much neglected negotiations. But we do not think that these circumstances Ifrfe’mtoluas. to justify The delay extending over a period of over three years. At last Tuesday’s meeting of the Chamber of Commerce it was urged that the Chamber take some steps to bring about finality in the matter. The Chamber’s actions in the past were reviewed and the following resolution, which was recorded on October 26th, 1911, and conveyed to the Town Board on that date? was unearthed

“ That the matter of opening the new cemetery is a matter of pressing urgency, and that this Chamber is of opinion that too much time has been lost in arriving at finality in this direction.”

Two and a half years ago! And even then too much time had been lost. Since that time unforeseen circumstances arose, which necessitated delay —a delay which should have had its bounds. But what of the time before the complications arose ? And what, after making reasonable allowance for the unexpected blockage, of the time that has elapsed since ? Surely some explanation can be given, so that the public may rightly know who or what is responsible for the apparent inaptitude and indifference ol either the Board itself or some of its servants. ' The delay is stated to be the outcome of the complications which arose, over the death of the original owner of the property. But what has happened since last December 19th, when a letter in the following terms was received at the Board’s meeting ?

Messrs Swarbrick and Swarbrick wrote stating that they were waiting lor the executors in the estate of A. V. Macdonald to give a title to the land for the cemetery site. They had written to Messrs Russell and Campbell, solicitors for the estate, and had received the reply that they are prepared to settle the transaction. A new transfer will, however, have to be prepared, as the previous one was drawn for Mr Macdonald to sign. It was stated the transfer would be drawn at once and submitted to the board for signature.

By this letter it was clearly indicated that the necessary transfer was to be drawn at once. That was two and a half months ago. But possibly the Town Board does

not recognise the meaning of immediate action. But we have no desire to speak in hard terms of the Board. Rather would we like to know who or what is to blame for what we think constitutes an unprecedented delay in the history of our town, and especially in a matter that should not have been fraught with difficulties. Not only is some explanation desired, but still more necessary is it that immediate steps be taken to remedy the present disgraceful and almost heathen conditions which are forced upon the people.