CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 263, 10 April 1875, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

:o:~ — Our columns are open for free discussion ; but we do not hold ourselves responsible forthe opinions of our Correspondents. :o: TO THE EDITOR. Dear Siu, —Is it not time something was done to the Cemetery ? I know not whether it bo vested in Trustees, or if the Road Board have the oversight of it, but strongly suspect no one is responsible as graves can be dug anywhere without permission being obtained from anyone. This state of affairs ought to continue no longer, for at present “God’s Acre” in this district is a wilderness. Seen from the road the white column erected to the memory of the massacred, looks very inviting. But in this instance

“ Distance lends enchantment to the view,” and I would strongly advise those who have friends visiting the Bay to let them be content with a distant look, and on no account take thorn into the Cemetery, fora closer inspection reveals a state of neglect anything but pleasing. The grass being allowed to grow year after year, forms a thick high mass difficult to struggle through, huge briar bushes tear your clothes, creepers get round your feet, and sturdy weeds flaunt themselves defiantly in your face. So that a visitor needs caution, perseverance, and alofty indifference t.O such slight matters as torn clothes, and thorns in the flesh. Indeed so rank is the growth of weeds and grass, that in many instances all traces of flowers have been obliterated. Said a father to me the ol her day, “I buried a child here about three years ago, but its grave is so covered that I cannot find the place,” and this is not a solitary case. I believe the Cemetery was laid out once, ns here and there traces may be discovered of paths marked off by wooden pegs. But the thickgrowth has so destroyed all signs of arrangement that many graves have been dug North and South, instead of East and West., and several in what I believe was intended for a path. Such is the state of the Public portion of the Cemetery, and the private or railed parts are nearly as bad with a few exceptions. The grass is as high and the weeds as strong, tho only difference being that a larger proportion of flowers are feebly struggling for existence amongst their aggressive neighbours. Some of the head-stones, or head-boards rather, are leaning languidly against the railings, others have flung themselves despairingly on the grasses, and most are in a tottering shaky condition. But what shall I say of the enclosure containing the remains of the massacred ? The state of this—but, Sir, I will not attempt to describe it, I will only say to every settler who has a friend or relative lying there, “ Go and look for yourself, and if the sight does not lead you to do something, nothing that I can say will have the least effect.”

And now conies the question, what can be done ? My reply is : 1. Clear the Cemetery, let the grass be cut, the weeds chopped down, the briars uprooted, and, where necessary, the original pegs replaced. 2. Thon divide it into equal parts, numbering everyone, and charging a fixed price for each. Let.every applicant select what site he chooses for a grave. On payment of the price fixed give liirh a “permit,” with the number of the grave on it, entering the same in a book kept for the purpose. Let this be retrospective as well as prospective. By this means a sum could be raised which would go far, not only to put the Cemetery in order, but in keeping it. orderly. If further Junds are required, a subscription list could easily be opened, and 1 feel, coufi. cnt the requisite sum would soon be obtained. The set-tiers—and especially the old on«s —only need the matter brought, before them, to see to it at once. Some people complain of the “old identity” and doubtless they have their faults, as we all have, but certainly as far as my experience goes, stingines is not one of those faults. Trusting this letter will lead to some action being taken in tho matter. —I am, &c., W. Hevinuiiam Root. Gisborne, April 5,1875.