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E. History of New Zealand Contingents in the South African War This volume has now been, published. F. Translation of Enemy Documents Valuable material has been obtained by the translation of captured German documents lent to the branch by the Historical Division of the United States Army. A member of the Branch's staff has been attached to the New Zealand Embassy at Washington, and has supplied translations of many interesting and valuable enemy documents. VIII. WAR GRAVES A. Burials in New Zealand During the year the deaths of 1,775 ex-servicemen were registered by the Division, compared with a total of 1,806 for the previous year. B. Headstones and Bronze Plaques A total of 418 headstones and 310 bronze plaques were ordered during the year. Of these figures 337 headstones and 247 bronze plaques for graves of servicemen who died not as a result of war service were paid for by relatives or branches of the N.Z.R.S.A. They were able to make these arrangements through the Department at a reduced cost. The balance of headstones and bronze plaques respectively—i.e., those not paid for by relatives and branches of the N.Z.R.S.A. —were supplied by the Department at the cost of the Government since the deceased were reported by War Pensions Department as having died as a result of war service. C. 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 the classification and respective numbers of such cemeteries as at 31st March, 1950, is shown below : (1) Original type of layout, graves covered with concrete using upright headstones .. . . .. . . .. .. .. 10 (2) Semi-lawn, using upright headstones set on narrow concrete beams .. 37 (2a) Semi-lawn, using sloping bronze plaques set slightly above ground-level .. 10 (3) All lawn, with plaques at ground-level .. .. .. 62 (4) Proposed new cemeteries or others under construction .. .. 11 130 The above figures differ slightly from those shown in previous reports on account of the reclassification of some existing cemeteries and the alteration in type of proposed cemeteries before work actually commenced. Generally speaking, a very good standard of maintenance of servicemen's cemeteries in New Zealand was provided during the year by local bodies and branches of the N.Z.R.S.A. concerned. Officers of the Department inspected many servicemen's cemeteries during the year, it being found necessary to defer payment of the Government grant towards cost of maintenance in one case only where the particular cemetery was not being properly cared for. The Government paid during the year the sum of £2,751 12s. Bd. as a contribution towards the upkeep of servicemen's cemeteries. D. Historical Cemeteries Essential renovations and improvements to some historial cemeteries and graves were carried out under arrangements made by the Department.

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