GERALDINE CEMETERY BOARD

Temuka Leader, Issue 2441, 22 December 1892, Page 2

GERALDINE CEMETERY BOARD

TO THE EDITOR. Sik, —Allow me, on behalf of the Geraldine Cemetery Board, which, as their chairman, I represent, to make a few explanations relative to the remarks of some of the speakers at the late public meeting as reported in your issue of the 25th. In the first place, Ido not acknowledge that the board have not done their duty, or that they have carried on their business in a scandalous manner, as one speaker observed. We certainly have had great difficulty in obtaining a quorum, but this did not prevent those present from doing their best for the cemetery. Mr Huffey and myself have frequently sat for an hour together waiting for other members to turn up. I should now like to say a few words with reference to Mr Maslin’s remarks as they were so misleading and untrue that I feel compelled to contradict them. Mr Maslin stated that in 14 years 506 persons had been buried in Geraldine, and therefore that the board should have £450, or thereabouts, to its credit. Now I think I can show by the following statistics that Mr Maslin knew very little of what he was talking about, but as usual desired to make one of his gallery speeches. On Mr Maslin’s supposition for everyone that had been buried during the time he referred to the fees had been paid and also for the plots. This is entirely an erroneous idea, as the following will show. lam going back only to 1886, the time I took my seat on the board. From 1885 to 1892 there have been 189 deaths; out of this number 168 paid the fees, the balance being remitted, or not recovered yet. But only 104 plots were purchased, and if you strike an average of 19s for fees (a high one), the amount receive would be, roughly, £168; to this add £156 for plots, and a balance of about £SO in hand in 1885, and it brings the total to £374. Salaries and repairs have absorbed £2BO, which shows a balance to credit of £94, and this amount will be in hand, subject to some outstanding fees coming in. If Mr Maslin doubts my figures I shall be glad to produce books, etc,, to verify my statements but I do not think he will attempt it if he gives the matter a little consideration. The three members of the board at the meeting were aware of the financial position, so Mr Maslin’s statement to the contrary is untrue, as is also one from the same gentlemen that over £7O was paid into the bank in one mouth. At every meeting of the board the books have always been to hand, and I am sure the the members will verify this statement. With reference to the statement that the board were too much like a Star Chamber I don’t know whether it is. worthy of any comment personally, and I feel sure I can speak for the members, that they were at ail times prepared to give any information of their proceedings, but it was never asked for. Proper books have always been kept, and regularly balanced at the end of the year. As regards the remarks re audit, I may state that some time previous to the public meeting it was arranged to ask the audit inspector to audit the books, and he has agreed to do so. This was necessary owing to the retirement of Mr Mundell, and I myself wishing to be relieved as a member. Mr Maslin is well aware that fees are not always paid at the time they are due, and sometimes it is months before they are recovered, and personally I have felt a diffidence in pressing for same at time of death.. I hope Mr Maslin will take an early opportunity dT paying me a visit and I shall be most pleased to give him any information he may desire. 1 much regret that owing to an important engagement, I was unable to be present at the public meeting, but 1 think that Mr Brophy was correct when he stated that some speakers took advantage of my absence, as I am certain that so much animus would not have been displayed were I present. Apologising for trespassing so much on your space, and thanking you in anticipation, i am, etc., R. H. PfiAEPOIHT,

Chairman Geraldine Cemetery Board

N.B.—Owing to being engaged with che late Bazaar, I have had no time to make an earlier reply.