CEMETERY FOR WOODBURY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1395, 22 September 1885, Page 2

CEMETERY FOR WOODBURY.

On Saturday evening a weil-attendecl meeting of the residents of Woodbury was held in the schoolroom, to take into consideration the question of providing a cemetery for the township and district, Mr Flatman, Chairman of the Domain Board, occupied the chair, and after reading the advertisement convening the meeting, explained the object for which they wore called together. The reason the Domain Board had taken the matter up was because they had received a letter from the Vestry of the Church asking the Board to set aside five acres of the Domain for a cemetery. This letter had been forwarded to the Geraldine County Council, they being the local body to whom application must be made, The Chairman then read a letter from the County Council, acknowledging the Domain Board’s letter, and stating that they were willing to use their influence and legal powers in getting a cemetery tor the district, but that all expense in connection with purchase, survey, etc., must be borne by the applicants. The Chairman further stated that the Counties Act gave the Council power to purchase land for cemetery purposes, and he thought that if pressure were brought to bear on the Council in this direction it would be better than to cut into the Domain Reserve. In reply to Mr R. Rae, the Chairman stated that the Council had no power over the Domain Reserve. If the Counties Act were not in force the Road Board must purchase land for

cemetery purposes. In bis opinion five acres would do for a time, but for n denominational cemetery at least 10 or 15 acres would be required. In reply to Mr Thatcher, the Secretary of the Domain Board, Mr Greaves, stated that the Domain Deserve contained 130 acres. The Chairman said the Domain Board would not stand in the way of land being taken from the Reserve, but the Board had no power to give the land. The Board would, however, rather see the laud taken from somewhere else.

Mr E. Eae thought that as the Domain Reserve was for the use of the public, it would be eisier to get a piece of land set aside from it than from the Education Reserve, adjoining the township.

After an animated discussion as to whether the Domain Reserve or the Education Reserve would furnish the most suitable site, the following proposition was made by Mr J, H. Dean—- “ That the Geraldine County Council be asked to assist the district to obtain 10 acres ol the Educational Reserve tor the purpose of a public cemetery.”— Seconded by Mr Harmer. As an amendment, Mr R. Rae proposed and Mr J. Harris seconded—- “ That application be made to the Woodbury Domain Board for 15 acres of the most suitable part of the Domain Reserve, and that the Board be requested to take the necessary steps to obtain this allotment.”

Mr A. Macdonald thought that before either motion was put it must be shown that the meeting were willing to bear their share of the necessary expenses.

Mr Noble did not think it right they should have to pay for a cemetery. It would be easier perhaps to get a portion of the Domain, but be did not think it was suitable for a cemetery, Mr tlaimcr was against a cemetery being made next the public park. The Chairman, after some further discussion, put the amendment to the meeting, and five hands were held up in favor of it. Ou putting Mr Dean’s motion, seven hands were held up, and the Chairman declared it carried. It was resolved that the Chairman forward the resolution to the County Council. The meeting then terminated.