EPIDEMIC BURIALS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 234, 27 June 1919, Page 8

EPIDEMIC BURIALS

'UNDERTAKERS'- CHARGES INVESTIGATED AND REPORTED ■ ON The chairman of the Charitable Aid Committee of the Hospital Board (Mr. George Petherick) reported at the board's meeting yesterday i— "I went very fully with the above (the undertaker) into the matter 1 of the instructions which they received, the character of the funerals" supplied, and the basis of the amount charged per funeral. In regard to thoinstructions given, I am satisfied that the' parties understood that those referred to cases where the relatives were in poor circumstances, and unable to pay without undue hardship, or to plainly indigent enses. In regard to Messrs. Wilson and Son's account, the average charge per funeral is ,£7, including cemetery fees, and after going through the details showing how this amount is made up, 1 am of opinion that the charge i 9 reasonable, and that the account should' he paid forthwith. • In regard to the accounts of all other claimants, iuuerni for nrlult cases, including cemetery fees up to 155., is n fair and reasonable rate of payment. With regard to the eligibility of the cases claimed for, I find that the calls on (he Charitable Aid Branch render it impossible for it to undertake as systematic investigation. It had been hoped that time and opportunity could be found, but, the hope has proved illusive, and it has now to be recognised that the task is beyond accomplishment.

"From ft general knowledge of the circumstances of some of the cases, however, I.am inclined lo believe that there may be a good many where, under ordinary circumstances, the costs'might reasonably have been expected to be paid by relalives who, in some instances, lit auyrate, received friendly society benefits for this purpose. On the other hand, it is within my knowledge that representations have been freely made by more or less authorised persons to the effect that the Government hod undertaken to and would pay for these burials, and that, as a consequence, many have expended on other objects money which might otherwise have been available for funeral expenses. It is possible that some probably unavoidable delay and indefiniteliess on the part of the Government in expressing its intentions may have contributed to this. I am therefore of p.pinion that subject lo settlement upon the lines hereinbefore indicated, the eliorihility of the cases claimed for by the nccount? already rendered and attached hereto should be generally admitted." The chairman said they had been through the whole busings from A In 'A, and were salUfiort that the charge of .C 7 "■!•« :i fair f'ic. Mr. C. M. Luke: What did the others cYirge? The chairman: Up to .£ll odd: The report wos adopted.