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A summary of burials in New Zealand of ex-servicemen and the number of temporary crosses, headstones, and plaques ordered for the year ended 31st March, 1948, is shown below. It is proposed to show similar figures in future reports for comparative purposes:—

A. Registration of Burials

B. Temporary Crosses, Headstones, and Plaques ordered and Permanent Work authorized, on Graves

Servicemen's Cemeteries in New Zealand Considerable work was undertaken during the year in the matter of approving applications for the laying-down of new servicemen's cemeteries in New Zealand. The applications in all cases were made in respect of the new type of lawn cemetery using bronze plaques at ground-level. Many lawn cemeteries were completed during the period and quite a number reached that more or less completed stage where it was possible to see them as good examples of this new type of cemetery. The servicemen's new lawn cemeteries using bronze plaques at ground-level in Whangarei and Thames are splendidly laid out, with many more recently constructed ones commencing to attain similar appearance. The considerable interest taken by branches of the New Zealand Returned Services' Association and local bodies in their respective cemeteries has in no small measure contributed towards the general very excellent appearance of these new lawn cemeteries. Whereas the total numbers of servicemen's cemeteries constructed or under consideration stood at 121 on 31st March, 1947, the figures increased during the year and stood as at 31st March, 1948, as follows:

The figures in parentheses are those shown in the annual report for the period ending 31st March, 1947.

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Year ending 31st March, Wars. Imperial and other Forces. Total Begistions. South African War. First World War. Second World War. Not classified. War Graves. Non-war Graves. Not classified. Cremations. Beyond NewZealand. 1948 .. 1,566 Ill 1,062 297 96 161 1,161 244 220 147 8

Year ending 31st March, Temporary Crosses. Headstones. Plaques. Permanent Work authorized. Headstones and Plaques purchased by lieturned Services' Association and Next-of-kin. 1948 607 398 158 81 307

Classification. Description. Number. 1 Old type, graves covered with concrete and upright 17 (17) headstones used .. .. • • .. 2 Semi-lawn, using upright headstones 32 (2-5) 2a Semi-lawn, using low sloping plaque 4 (2) 3 All lawn, plaques at ground-level 59 (36) 4 Proposed lawn or semi-lawn 22 (41) 134 (121)