Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1920. THE OLD CEMETERY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2156, 29 July 1920, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, JULY 29, 1920. THE OLD CEMETERY.

VISITORS to Foxton cannot understand why something' is not done by the local governing authority to beautify the old cemetery, which, owing to its central situation and natural elevation, would so eminently lend itself to a beautifying scheme, and a restful rendezvous. The site contains the mortal remains of pakeha and Maori, although it will, be a difficult task to locate, many of the burial plots, save those indicated by head-stones or the remnants of fencing. So far as the are concerned, the ground is tapu, or sacred, and as far as investigations have gone, was not legally conveyed to the local authority. In an old Government plan befoi’e us, of 1800, the section is shown as a “cemetery,” and adjoins the “school reserve.” Certain Maoris claim a title to the ground, but no rates have ever been paid upon it. When the road alignment was altered many years ago, it cut through portion of the cemetery, but no authority wasfirst obtained from the Maori owners, as the ground was recognised as a reserve. If the ownership of this tapu land is Maori, steps should be taken to have it vested in the Borough, and beautified. At present it is used for grazing purposes, ' and if the Council is content to allow this sort of thing to continue, then the Maori owners should bo compelled to pay rates. The Council should certainly come to some finality in connection with this matter.