BURIAL ON A FARM

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1930, Page 6

BURIAL ON A FARM

UNUSUAL CASE. AUCKLAND, December I.SL

Causing the burial of his wife in a place other than a cemetery was the extraordinary charge preferred against John lUdward Luckens, a Hobsonville farmer, who appeared before Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M., at the Police Court to-day. Tlie defendant pleaded guilty. Mr V. N. Hubble, who appeared for the Health Department, said that the offence was unusual. As far as he lc,new it was the first charge of its kind brought in the Dominion. The charge, was laid under the Cemeteries Act,. 1,908, and offenders were liable to a

fine not exceeding £SO. Defendant’s wife died towards the end of October and was buried on. a farm at Hobsonville. There were two l cemeteries within easy reach, one at Hobson - ville, the other at Swanson. Neither cemetery was much more than a mile away. There had been some discussion about setting aside part of the farm as a burial ground for the Rationalists’ Association, said Mr Hubble. When Defendant’s wife died lie interviewed Dr Chesson, of the Health Department, who pointed out that the body could not bo buried on the farm. In spite of that instruction the woman was not buried in a cemetery. Defendant’s explanation was that lie had interviewed a man who was prominent in the Rationalists’ Association, and understood that his action would bo all right.

A SERIOUS MATTER

Mr Hubble said that in view of the safety of public health burials should he controlled, and it was a serious matter for the man to bury bis wife as he did.

Defendant, in evidence," said that when interviewing Dr Clie c son the doctor seemed to treat the whole tiling as a joke.

Mr Hubble: T think you should stick to the facts of the case and not attack on officer who is not here. “T think that the breach has Veil committed in ignorance,” said Mr Woodward.

The defendant was convicted and charged.