Correspondence.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 175, 24 June 1859, Page 3

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the Colonist.

Slit, —AfVr all the jarring statements about a suitable Nelson Cemetery, anything more on 'he subject may seem unpleasant to the public. Yet, with your permission, I would respectfully say a few additional words, as to a proper situation and parcel of ground for a lust repository for our provincial friends and kindred. There are some important facts and considerations which, in my. opinion, should be wisely entertained, in order to a final settlement of that interesting affair. Let mc, however, first premise, in accordance with general notions, that the present burial ground in the midst of tbe city, should be altogether disused in a brief space of time.- Secondly, it may be noticed as quite evident to the observation of most people, that the old place of interment at the port, eligible as it appears in some respects, will assuredly interfere far too much with our anticipated current of increasing commcrcil traffic, and I might say population also, were our dead to be conveyed, with its usual train of mournful accompaniments, along the incommodious road winding hy the entrance to the haven. In fact, funerals moving in that quarter would soon jostle the living in a most unseemly and offensive manner.

Let mo request your attention to the opposite side of the water ; a site properly retired, and less likely to- be disturbed by the bustle of a thriving populace. Now, whatever a temporary—l-don't say a temporising—expediency may suggest to the contrary, it can, I presume, be fairly stated, on the soundest general grounds, and with a careful regard to" the more prominent interests of posterity, that a site in the direction of Wakapuaka, already, familiar to many, is really the most appropriate. The land of two parties, as you well know, lias been offered; with what different claims on any correct judgment, the good citizens of Nelson will of course ultimately determine. One plot of ground is, I understand,.' the property of Dr. Renwick, the other is -known as Bradshaw's Section.

The Renwick estate first presents itself in situ, being the nearest to the town. It lies in a state of nature. It is rugged, stony, steep, and mostly quite unaccommodating. Stone quarries, ere this, have been convened into magnificent tombs and abodes of sepulture; and even feljus place might be transformed from its present unsightliness into a decent spot, were plenty of money expended upon it. The only portion of it entitled to even a passing observation is a sort of nook, uncouth enough, hard by the road. Let any person take a spade and try it in several different spots. He will find it to consist of numerous minor land-slips, and to be stony enough. Were no other place for the departed to occur within a league of Nelson, then, possibly, this place might be thought of; but, as the case stands, it is fir otherwise. As to quantity of fit soil, difficulty to the grave-digger, interruptions or uusifety of drainage, no one but a person improperly or accidentally biased, would be so stupid as to dreami of it for a cemetery. Let anyone candidly say what are its recommendations. Admitting its nearness as one of its merits, what is its next advantage ? I cannot, for the life of me, find any shadow of argument, to be advanced instead of a substantial reason, in its favor. Your pardon, for there is indeed one, and one not overlooked, it has friends in Council. Why or wherefore is best known to eyes that peer into the sources of human action. Perhaps charity, that noblest of virtues, may after all befriend it; for I have abundant reason for supposing that it has " gone a begging " for patronage. For all that, I cannot help thinking how vain it is to do so; as such a rough wilderness is too confined and precipitous to allow of sufficient roads, buildings, sections for the various religious associations, family sepulchres, &c, without enormous outlay. A small country graveyard might, by possibility, be created there, hut a cemetery for an important city and province must be found elsewhere. So any one would judge assuredly, if their minds were unvitiated; any one fresh from abroad, or from rural simplicity, or scenes of independent thinking. Let us turn, then, to something else.

Well then,' we go a few score of paces forward to the next property; a property in a state of profitable culture, and offering every variety of slope for easy drainage, for the plough or the spade, for deep digging, for ornamental roads and plantations, and indeed for every purpose of.burial. I believe there are here some forty acres inclosed, and a moiety thereof in made sward. An easy road gives access to the entire estate. There are a dwelling house and an orchard of some two acres. Every part can be readily visited, with or without carriages. Here the Anglican Church and all the other five or six Christian communities amongst ns can have, as fl/iy should have at least, their three or four acres each as their compliment of land. Besides, in the event of a Chaplain residing here, he could ruralise with comfort, and would have, fi>r many coming years, land for his horse, his cows, a few sheep, and if he saw fit, for grain. Items these, I fancy, worthy of due estimate by a provident and reflective body politic.

To almost*, every one iv Nelson, and to all who approach ie from the country, not to speak of residents all round the coast, this block of land presents quite an attractive feature in the scene. If used as the last-home of the v loved and lost," it would be impressively pleasing. A better provincial cemetery it would be difficult to find so near the chief town of any settlement in New Zealand.

Wiiat tho price is of the Renwick property, or of the other property, you probably know better than myself; but I presume I am not far from the mark when I say that, for all the requirements of a noble, an available, a commodious, and an inexpensive cemetery, it is almost worse than idle to compare the former with the latter. Such is the difference between the two as to proper acreage for workable purposes, and for all sepulchral uses, that whilst there is no difficulty.in supplying an accurate estimate of the one, suitable in nearly every particular, it might look like depreciation were anyone to attach only the commonest value to any portion of the other, excepting a mere fractional piece in front, although the utmost wisdom and fairness might unite in the appraisement.

I very carefully examined both these parcels of ground some months ago, and I now write according to my sincere conviction. If any correspondent can shew that I am mistaken, I shall freely acknowledge any error that may be proved. All I want is, to promote the selection ofthe right place, with every attention to enlightened economy. 1 am, &c, A NELSON CITIZEN. Nelson, June 22.