THE CREMATORIUM.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 502, 8 May 1909, Page 4

THE CREMATORIUM.

TO BE READY SHORTLY., It is expected that in - about 6ix weeks or so tho Wellington crematorium -will bo ready, for use. Tho furnaoo arrived from England a few days ngo, and as soon as tho tower and cremating chamber arc erected it will be placed in position. A good deal of work, however, remains to bo done. Tho brickwork has to be : completed, tho roof to * bo put in, and tho inside to bo finished. Tho'crematorium is' being ercctod. in. tho Karori Cemetery, on a sito adjoining tho old caretaker's cottage, near tho bonpclary. Tho building is of brick, roofed in Marseilles tiles, and tho. chimney, 50 feet in lioight, is concealed in an ornamental tower. Tco front portion forms the oliapol, 28ft. by 18ft., whieli opens through to tho cremating chamber 24ft. by 15ft. At tho inner end of tho chapel, tho coffin is placed on a catapalquo or table, from which,, by means of a noiseless hand winch, it can bo removed through automatically-closing doors, to the cremating chamber; to its place in tho funiaco. Cremation will occupy, about, an hour. The coffin is not placed above or near the actual firo; a barrior separates it from tho flames,; and,-only tho great heat of the furnace operates in reducing tho corpse to ashes. If dosired, tho ashes maj' bo oollectod and placed in an urn or buriod in a grave in tho ordinary way. Tho City Council has not yot decided what fc4s will bo chargod, but the paymont should not bo moro'thau £2 or £3. • .