THE CEMETERY BOARD.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1867, 17 February 1880, Page 3

THE CEMETERY BOARD.

A special meeting of the Cemetery Board was held yesterday. There were present, Mr Jamieson (in the chair), the Rev. Mr Watson, Rev. Father Ginaty, Messrs Anderson, Ballantyne, and B. A. Loughnan. Tho Chairman stated that the present meeting, was held for the purpose of transacting tho usual business of the annual meeting which had been postponed in consequence of the necessary preparations not having been made on the date of the annual meeting. Tho annual report was road as follows : —• The Christchurch Public Cemetery Board was calle 1 into existence in October, 1878, by appointment of t' e Governor on the nomination of the Selwyn County Council, the members being selected with a view to represent the interests of the different religious denominations.

Previous to the appointment of the Board it had been generally considered that the cemetery accommodation for Chris’ church and the district around was becoming inadequate, especially in view of the rapidly growing population, and consequent increasing requirements A special grant of Government funds was in the hands of the Selwyn County Council for the purpose, and a number of citizens, including a proportion of ministers, were invited to meet and make suggestions as to the best means of seeming one or more public cemeteries that would meet tho wants of the community for a considerable time t come. Meeting in committee with tke members of the County Council, the following instructions were decided on for the guidance of a subcommittee charged with the duty of obtaining offers of suitable sites :

That the conditions to be attached to the acquisition of » site should, as far as possible, embrace the following points : 1. Proximity to the principal centres of population, say within a radius of about eight miles of Christchurch.

2. rroximity to a railway station, securing cheapness of transit. 3 Sufficiency of ground, say not less than 100 acres and not more, than 200 acres.

4 A suitable quality of soil, capable of being readily dug, and also fit for planting. Considerable difficulty was experienced by the committee in finding suitable soil in any position where the price was not far beyond the available funds. hi any were tried in moderately convenient situations, but were found unsnited for burial purposes. The only site remaining under offer was one situ ted to the eastward of Christchurch, about four miles distant. This met most of the requirements submitted to the sub committee. A report to this effect was laid before the general committee previously referred to, and eventually the Selwyu County Council acquired the fre hold of about acres, an adj .ining section of twenty-two acres, to complete tbe block, being promised if required. t, n the appointment of the Cemetery Board this property was vested in them as trustees, and the balance of the funds (.£580) remaining in the hands of the County Council for c metery purposes in the district, was also transferred, with tbe proviso that “The Board should undertake to provide with n two years not less than ten acres for a cemetery to the westward of Christchurch.” The section of twenty-two acres bas since been purchased at a cost of .£13.1, and the whole property has been securely fenced. As far as the season permitted grass seed has been sown, and a number of poplar trees p anted. . Arrangem nts are nowin progress for securing ten acres in the district westward of Christchurch in accordance with the arrangement abovementioned.

Baring the past year the Act relating to cemeteries was under the consideration of the Board wish a view to amendments, to secure the permanent control of the public cemeteries by the trustees in preference to dividing them, and alienating certain portions, as at present provided. A letter lately received from the Government promises consideration of the proposals at earliest opportunity. The treasurer’s statement is herewith attached.

The Treasurer read a statement showing the financial position of the Board, from which it appeared that there was a balance in hand of about £l4O.

The Rev. Mr Watson proposed, and it was carried, that the report bo adopttd. At the suggestion of the Chairman, it was resolved to ask Mr Ollivier to audit the accounts.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in the ra-appointment, of Mr Jameson and Mr Anderson ns chairman and treasurer respectively. Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman and treasurer.

The Board then proceeded to the consideration of the regulations prepared for the guidance of the Board in conducting its business.

The adoption of the code was loft till next meeting.