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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 6, Issue 288, 17 April 1862, Page 3

Sir, —Should you think the following remarks worth inserting in your paper, I place them at your disposal. Now that a great deal is being said concerning the removal cf the public slaughter-house, and I believe a site is fixed on in the vicinity of the cemetery, »1 would recommend that something should be done to secure the lemetery from intrinion. ( All residents in Wanganui must know what it is to drive a herd of cattle to a public slaughter-yard, and when they consider that the cemetery •will be often the highway to such, and will always be in close proximity, it must be supposed that there will be a great,deal of riding about for cattle, consequently both cattle and horseman must cross and recross the cemetery. This knowledge, and these thoughts alone, should be sufficient inducement to move every person to do their duty. If any individual will pay a visit to the public cemetery, they can soon convince [themselves that there is a duty to- be performed,— and by whom,, if not by the inhabitants of Wanganui? I have seen many gravel-yards, but never onein so deplorable a state as the Wanganui cemetery. The fence that has served to secure a portion of it is falling to decay,, sot much so, that cattle can find a- free passage- to and fro when they like;—again,, the surface is still in a state of nature, rough and overgrown with fern, toe-toe, and manuka;—in fact, such a state is a disgrace to. a civilized community. I will strongly recommend that the whole of the ceinetry be securely ail I substantially fenced, — the surface cleared,, levelled, and properly grassed. Such a. spot then would form a striking and agreeable contrast to the wilderness and desert-appearance of the locality around it. While I am dealing with the subject, I may as well add, that there should be a public road made from the most convenient part of the town to tlxe cemetery. No doubt the question will be asked,, where are the funds to be raised to carry out these propositions? 1 will recommend by voluntary contribution; and I believe if the proper authorities would only take the subject up with proper spirit a sufficient sum would shortly be subscribed. Surely our fellow settlers cannot be so penurious, but that they would contribute liberally to convert the present resting-place from a dismal wilderness to a cheerful looking and sacred cemetery.. 1 trust these few remarks will call the authorities to action, and that ere long 1 shall be gratified by seeing that our cemetery is not a disgrace but an honour to the community. I am, Sir, ■ Yours, &c., John Morgan. April 7th, 1532. ;

Wanganui, April 7th, 1862. Str, — I noticed in youx Lust- the report of a meeting held to consider the decision of the magistrates relative to the proposed site of the slaughter-house. They have iixed upon a spot at or near the gravel pits, as being the most unexceptionable, on account of its distance fron the town, and its suitableness for the purpose required. It appears, however, that some of our worthy town’s folk have th night otherwise, and have proposed as a better site a spot between the public cemetery and Mr. Stent’s,, — recommending a stock-yard to be placed on the river bank, and a slaughter-house to be erected on piles in tbe river itself. '• ■ Now, it certainly does appear strange that any of our good people could seriously come to such a deeisou. First, on account of health, will there be no fear of the tainted breeze being

wfifted from the river over the town ? If danger is anticipated of the wind blowing from the gravel pits over the landwhich -imiy be built upon at some future period should the town ever extend So far, surely there must be far more cause to fear if the slaughter-house .should be placed on the river, as the sea breeze will daily .blow the noxious effluvia over the town. Some consideration, likewise, is due to those who obtain; their drinking water from the river: ' Will Mr.'Stent think it improved by all the offal being thrown into' it? which will be done ; too at the verytime when the water is generally drawn at tlie ebb of the tide. And will Mr. Inday think the health of his abode improved, when large portions of the putrid matter lodge amongst the- snags on the great sand flat m front of his house ? which it will certainly do. And is there no probability that some portion of it will be brought back to' the town by the reflux of the tide? We must remember that the river is to us what the parks have been' happily termed to London, “ its lungs.” If the air of the river be vitiated, the general health of the place must be impaired in the same degree. We cannot be too careful to guard the purity of our river, lest by such means as the- e we in time render it- like the Thames, which is now literally a huge cesspool. One of the chief promenades of Wanganui is its river banks; — don’t let us mar its beauty and healthfulness by such an. offensive unsightly erection. Nor will the first impression of Wanganui be , very favourable to those' who enter the river, when their nostrils, are saluted with such odours, and their eyes with a slaughter-house placed over its waters. I feel persuaded if the gentlemen who composed the meeting will re-consider their selection, they will think more favourably of the site a-ready chosen, and agree that either that or some other in the same vicinity on ihe town hill will be the best adapted for the purpose. Hoping'this may be inserted in your next, I am, Sir, ' .Your very obedt. Servant, A Looker Cn.