WHATA WHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 963, 24 August 1878, Page 2

WHATA WHATA.

August 20. This district, has many, wants, but none that 1 are more' urgent than a public cemetery. This was felt last Friday, when. all; .the; available settlers in the district. turned put to .attend, the funeral of Mrs Day. Instead of the deceased r lfl4y bejuag buried in the district wherein her own family live, a long weary journey had to be made to the Newcastle cemetery, and many who wished to show their respect were unable to do so. This carrying the dead from Whatawhata to the Newcastle cemetery would be unpleasant enough if it we're unavoidable, but there is no reason whatever that it should be bo. There are several lots of land in the neighbourhood ol the township, belonging to the Government and private parties, that would be very suitable for a cemetery. All that the: settlers would have to do, would be to fence the ground. The question of a public cemetery for WhataVhata is one which cannot be shelved any longer, and it is to be hoped that either the members of the Sohoel Committee, or our representative in the District Board, will call a public meeting in reference to**he above matter, and that without any^ ua&diqessary delay.. While on this .snbject, I might suggest r ihat, at the meeting, tne settlers take. some action with regard to the (so called) cemetery on the river bank. Within this enclosure, a number of ; soldiers and others are buried. Originally, it was fenced, and head-boards put to' the graves, but now, and for some time past, the fence is quite broken down, the headboards -have rotted and disappeared, and, rn,ore shocking, still, the river has undermined the bank bo much, that pieces of ' timber with which, probably, the' coffins were constructed, are commencing to protrude irbm the banks. This' disgrace to Whatawhata, and to Waikato, has been made public more than once, but nd notice has : apparently been taken of it by those in authority. Now : that i the ; Newcastle Highway Board for '78 has fairly got into harness, it would be as well'if they consider what was proposed some .time ago, about holding their monthly meeting at Newcastle and Whatawhata alternately. This district forms a part, and by no means an inconsiderable ; part of the Newcastle district, and it is not too muchvto ask that the meeting be held alternately at each place. Ratepayers at this end would then be able to lay their grievances or other businoss bef ore.the Board personally, which at present cannot be done. Another innovation which the Board might introduce with advantage is, giving more publicity to the business transacted at the regular monthly meetings. lam aware that I am treading upon sacred ground, but, as the duty of the trustee is simply to administer to the best advantage the funds which the ratepayer provides, then it, is only fair that the latter should know from time to time, how those funds are being spent. The' plan of sending a regular report of the proceedings to the local newspaper has been adopted by more than one Waikato Highway Board, and has been found to wdrk admirably. It costs the Board nothing, and it gives all information to every ratepayer, without the necessity of buttonholeing trustees, or writing to the Chairman, which has an air of distrust about it, and finally it would stop the mouth of the most illnatured" ratepayer, and prevent a repetition of the remarks which were made at th.elaa.ti annual meeting, which remarks conduce neither to the dignity of the ratepayer, or the trustee. — Cobbbsi'Ondent.