SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1874.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 184, 4 July 1874, Page 2

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 1874.

■HE question of cremation, or the Ktrning of Luman bodies, after death, ■stead of the usual interment, —the ■scussion of which has engaged the tention of the people in England Btely,—has at length reached this ■olony ; and it has been attempted to ■ve it apractical form at once. Thus ■e Hud in the Provincial Council at ■iristchurch, now in Session, that Air. Hndhews moved that, ‘ The time has arrived for cremation, or burning of human bodies, in order to the pollution of the ground, streams, air, which results from burying such ; and that a sum be placed on the for the purpose of establishing a ■st approved system of cremation. Cracroft Wilson seconded the motion great, pleasure. short discussion ensued, during which no ■liiive objection was made to cremation, but general opinion was that the time has ■ yet arrived for bringing it into operation. the motion was withdrawn. ■This is a question which, however ■sirable it may lie to carry into prac■e, certainly cannot emanate from a ■ovineial Council; and we are glad 9 see that the good sense of the ■ristchureb Council prevailed, and ■thdrew the motion. The subject ■ by no means a new one ; but we ■is briefly refer to it now so that usual sentimentalities of the ■blic mind may become familiarized ■th a mode of the future disposal of ■* dead, which must sooner or later ■e the place of the present offensive of earth, air, and water. ■ in this subject, the Jewish Chroni- :— ■ At a recent. meeting of the council reprethe Jewish congregations of Berlin, a was brought forward to the effect that steps should be taken to make lor the Leicheiiverbrennuug

(burning of bodies) in one of the Jewish cemeteries in that city. The motion was adopted bv a large majority. Some of our tierman contemporaries fail into an error in supposing cremation to be opposed to Jewish doctrines. Among our Sephardic brethren of Gibraltar and America the burial of bodies in quick lime (a rapid mode of cremation) is a common practice. Such a mode of sepulture has been performed more than once, and even recently, at the Spanish and Portugese Cemetery at Mile End ; and no one can doubt the conservative orthodoxy of our co-religionists of the Mediterranean shores. Indeed, cremation of the dead is not unknown among the German Jews of London.”

Mr. Stapylton C. Caulton is to be commended for taking the first step in the right direction since the establishment of a Highway Board iu I his district . Mr. Caulton, as will be seen, announces himself a candidate for local honors at the ensuing annual election of Hoad Board Members; aud, as we have persistently advocated this voluntary seeking the suffrages of the Ratepayers, we trust there are others amongst us who will follow the candid and salisfaciory example set before them. Mr. Caulton has a right to look for support in his candidature. He represents property to a large extent, in both town and country; aud has a considerable interest at stake at both ends of our jnaiu trunk k is to be hoped that, if will make himself master of thfe, question, and see that the cost of the Present, met -lwa beg pardon— -forma.lion) if• the Gladatone-road, is cast upon the right shoulders. It is currcßtly reported that one or two of the meinbers of the present Board intend to resign their seats; and that others, must, of course, take their places, independently of any special qualification of their own. We advise the Ratepayers not to be led away by the scent of such a herring as that. There are some, doubtless, who will disavow any intention of seeking re-election; but these excuses are sprats to cateh mackarel. Led by their Ciiairman, they did so at (he last Annual Meeting, almost in a body; and, simply, because the question of replacing them had not been well considered, I hey became self-made martyrs for the nonce; a position in which they are apt to look upon themselves as the saviors of mundane affairs in the district. We are far from advocating the repetilion of such a course tins year; but that improvements are wanted, none can deny, —one of which is the removal of those members who cannot give a satisfactory account of their stewardship. There is lit-rfe time to spare between this and the I4th — the day appointed for the meeting; and we advise those who are dissatisfied with the present state of affairs, to keep a good look out ahead.