CREMATORIUM ISSUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 201, 23 August 1944, Page 4

CREMATORIUM ISSUE

ratepayers; protest PETITION TO CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING TO BE HELD. A petition signed by 2972 ratepayers protesting against the decision to erect a crematorium in wartime and asking that the project be. deferred, was presented by a. deputation which waited on the Wanganui City Council last night. The Mayor, Hon. W. J. Kogers, subsequently assured the deputation that the points raised in the petition would bp considered by the council at a special meeting two weeks hence.

The petition was available for signatures for only three weeks, said Mr. S. R. McCallum, who headed the deputation. During that period it was placed in various shops. “There was mo organisation behind us, but a number of us undertook to obtain signatures,’’ Mr. McCallum added. One man who obtained 104 signatures had only two refusals; another with 68 signatures was refused on oniv twe occasions, and a third, who obtained 63 signatures, was refused only once. “This was the general experience of all who undertook to obtain signatures,” Mr. McCallum said.

Replying to the deputation, the Mayor said no feelings of resentment, were engendered against those who had sponsored the petition. No doubt the opinions expressed represented the views of a considerable number of ratepayers, who had seen fit to place on record their opposition to the scheme being proceeded with at the present . time. Before replying to each clause in the pettiion. the Mayor asured the deputation that the council. during the past two years, had not gone ahead with undue haste, or under a veil tantamount almost to secrecy. At no time had information on the subject been withheld, and a complete absence of opposition to the crematorium till recently was most noticeable.

Referring to the suggestion that there was no immediate necessity or general demand for a crematorium, the Mayor said crematoria were distinct public amenities and wherever established figures relating to crematorium undertakings revealed a steady upward trend. Building costs had continued to soar after the last war. and he believed the present time was opportune for the erection of a crematorium in Wanganui. So far as finances were concerned, nobody would surely imagine that every type of public service provided by a local body could be placed on a financially payable basis, as much as that was desirable. Repayment of the loan, however, would be made in 25 years, and the asset would have a life of 50 to 60 years, repairs and maintenance charges being practically nil. An increase in cremations and the need for Installing a further cremator. “Asuming that the interest and sinking fund charges wholly on a loan were to be charged in the general account. and this would be the worst possible complexion on the financial picture, then approximately l-17thd.— one seventh of a penny—in the £ of rateable valuation would be payable, or, in other words, one shilling and twopence per £lOO of rating assessment,” Mr. Rogers added. “Experience would reveal, I feel sure, that an encouraging result would be noted from the outset.” The contention that for many years overhead and working expenses would exceed revenue was also questionable, this assertion lacking proof. Referring to.the purchase of the crematorium land, Mr. Rogers said rhe council had approached the owner and negotiated with him. The price was not excessive and final decision rested with the Land Sales Court. In 1914, Mr. Rogers added. 16 acres of cemetery land were purchased at Aramoho for £I2G an acre. He also disagreed with the suggestion that a crematorium should be erected in a centra) site. “I believe,” Mr. Rogers added, “that public opinion would revolt against such a suggestion, which, to me, does not seem reverent or decent. •

“Is there any real reason why a referendum should not be taken?” Mr. McCallum asked, after the Mayor had invited questions. The Mayor replied that be had raised this point, with the Minister of Health (Mr. Nordmeyer) and was told that no crematoria had ever been erected in New Zealand after a poll. “There is nothing in law, however, to stop the will of the ratepayers being ascertained ” the Mayor added. Replying to Cr. R. P. Andrews, the Mayor said that if the Land Sales Court approved the sale, the council would be committed to purchasing the property, even it decided against the crematorium. In any case, the land would be necessary for cemetery extensions. Cr. W. S. N. Rennie:, Would it be necessary to give a notice of motion regarding recision? The Mayor renlied that it would not. be necessary. The whole question of the crematorium could be reconsidered at the special meeting. The following resolution, moved by the Mayor, anef seconded by Cr. S. J. Harris,'was carried: “That the deputation be thanked lor its representations as set out in the petition submitted through you by the ratepayers and those .entitled to sign the same, and this assurance is readily given that bet ore reaching complete finality respecting the erection of the proposed crematorium and matters incidental theerto, the questions raised by the petitioners in stating their objection to the scheme will receive full and careful consideration at a special meeting of the council, to be convened at an early date for that purpose.”