GREYMOUTH CEMETERY.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 752, 12 November 1870, Page 2

GREYMOUTH CEMETERY.

(to the editor.) Sir — Knowing yoiir columns to be all times open for the discussion of any subject of public interest, or calculated to remedy an existing grievance, I will at once to the point, and name the subject for which I claim your indulgence, viz., the entirely neglected state of the Greymouth cemetery. History informs us that places dedicated for the burial of the dead, have in all ages and among all nations received the most special care and attention of the living. Yet the Greymouth burial ground is almost in its primitive wilderness. There is no approach for any vehicle to it fora distance of from 100 to 150 yards. The coffins have to be carried for that distance over tramway sleepei*3 ; " and how the undertakers . manages to convey a corpse to the grave, when there are no friends attending, is, unless he enlists the services of any chance passers by, a mystery. In coming into the burial ground it is even worse ; you have to pick your way over stumps, roots, holes, and graves as best you can, at the risk of breaking your bones. There appears to be no symmetry, no regulation exercised in the laying out or allotment of the graves, and there is no path or even a track to any part of the ground. lam confident that this subject need only be brought under the notice of the gentleman whose duty it is to look after it to have these defects remedied. A revenue is derived by way of burial fees, and surely a portion of it should be devoted, if not for adornment, at least for such improvements as will make the ground better applicable to the purpose to which it is dedicated. The construction, of a footpath through i the centre of the ground from north to south would, with the exercise of a little better judgment in the allotment of the graves, remedy to some, extent the existing evil, the cost of which would scarcely come to LlO. If the trustees have no funds at command for siich a necessary expenditure, 1 will contribute my mite, and no doubt if any one of our influential townsmen will undertake the trouble to see to it, the funds will at once be forthcoming. — I am, &c,