H—22

2. Servicemen's Cemeteries in New Zealand Considerable work in the construction of servicemen's cemeteries in New Zealand was carried out during the year, and at the 31st March the total figures were as follows (1) Old type—-graves covered with concrete, using upright headstones ~ 14 (2) Semi-lawn, using upright headstones set on narrow concrete beams .. 30 (2a) Semi-lawn, using sloping bronze plaques set slightly above ground-level 5 (3) All lawn, with plaques at ground level .. .. .. 54 (4) Proposed new cemeteries or others under construction .. .. 26 Total .. .. .. .. .. . . 129. (>f the above figures, particular attention is drawn to the large numbers of cemeteries, which now use bronze plaques at ground-level. Although these types of cemeteries are,, as yet, somewhat in their infancy in New Zealand, it can be said that most, if not all, are in excellent condition. Some of the best of these new types of cemeteries can be seen at Whangarei, Russel, Eawene, Thames, Otaki, Opunake, Woodville, Dannevirke, Wairoa, Paeroa, Haveloek South, Nelson, Opotiki, Waipu, Manaia, and Waitara. Generally speaking, a very high standard of maintenance of servicemen's cemeteries was carried out by local bodies and branches of the U.S.A. concerned. Officers of the New Zealand War Graves Division of the Department inspected many of the cemeteries during the year, and only in two instances was it found necessary to defer payment of grants towards the cost of maintenance. 3. Historical Cemeteries Renovations and improvements to several historical cemeteries were carried out following inspections made by officers of the New Zealand War Graves Division of the Department. 4. Granite Headstones and Bronze Plaques Orders for granite headstones, which were considerably in arrears by contractors during the recent war years, were disposed of by the end of March, and the contractors; who now supply headstones and plaques are both executing current orders with promptitude. 5. Maintenance of Servicemen's and Historical Cemeteries Due to the additional number of servicemen's cemeteries laid down, grants towards theifi- maintenance, including historical cemeteries, increased, and the total annual payment at the end of the year was £2,667 14s. 6. Overseas Burials The Department has maintained during the year a very close liaison with the Imperial War Graves Commission, London, in connection with matters affecting overseas graves and war cemeteries. The Commission's programme of work connected with the completion of overseas war cemeteries is proceeding very satisfactorily. Final architectural plans were approved for the layout of the New Zealand Military Cemetery at Bourail,. New Caledonia, which cemetery is under the jurisdiction of the Commission's Anzac Agency at Melbourne. The Commission made considerable progress during the year in finalizing arrangements for commemorating the names of those deceased who have no known graves. 3—H 22

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