Lawn Cemetery For Returned Men And Women Is Not Yet Completed

Wanganui Chronicle, 15 December 1949, Page 8

Lawn Cemetery For Returned Men And Women Is Not Yet Completed

The delay in the completion of the Lawn Cemetery near the Crematorium at Aramoho for the burial of returned men and women was due to the inability of the Ministry of Works to carry out its share of the plan, said the president (Mr. H. R. Gilberd) at last night's quarterly meeting of the Wanganui Returned Services’ Association. Part of the work had been carried out by the Wanganui City Council, said Mr. Gilberd, but a misunderstanding had arisen over who was to do certain work. It had been ascertained eventually that the work was the responsibility of the Ministry of Works. He had approached the Ministry of Works in Wanganui on many occasions and although he had received many promises the work had not yet been carried out. From reports he had received it would appear that, the Lawn Cemetery was not looking as it should. The Ministry of Works had given an assurance Unit the work would be carried out as soon as possible. “This is not good enough for us. We want the work done immediately.” he said. Arrangements had been made with the monumentalists for the laying of the bronze plaques. The present condition of the Lawn Cemetery was deplorable in the opinion of Mr. M. G. Wadey. He pointed out that many of the graves did not have identification plaques. In some cases there was not even an indication of the presence of a grave. Mr. Wadey said the cemetery would no doubt be visited by a large number of peoph' during the Christmas and New Year holidays, and it was regrettable that the site was not more presentable. I The Ministry of Works had given I him an assurance that temporary I markers would be placed on graves | immediately, said Mr. Gilberd. He I promised that he would get in touch immediately with the Ministry of Works on that matter. The arrange ment was that a small temporary plaque should bo used on the graves until the brass plaques were put in position.