MASTERTON CEMETERY TRUST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2866, 6 April 1888, Page 3

MASTERTON CEMETERY TRUST.

A* meeting of the Masterton Cemetery Trust was held at the Institute las* evening. Present Messrs Paylon (Chairman), Ilaro, Galloway, anil Hourigan. The minutes of the preceding meeting having been read and confirmed, the treasurer reported a credit balance of .£32 2s 9d, and the usual routine accounts were passed for payment. The Secretary reported that the missing deed had been found in the office of a local solicitor. The Chairman said Mr Hare had made some investigation in Wellington, as to the legal position of the Trust property, and called upon that gentleman to explain it. Mr Hare said that in 1875 a special Act was passed, empowering the Education Board to hand over to a Cemetery Trust the present Cemetery Reserve. A deed under this authority was executed by the Board in favor of the Trust in October, 1877, but by some negligence it was not registered. In 1877, another Act was passed, which, taking it for granted that the Education Board had not exercised the power given to them by the Act of 1875, vested the reserve again in the Board. The Government officer said the latter Act virtually swept away the title of the Masterton Trust, but that an "Act could be brought in to restore the property, and if this were done, the Trust would probably be transferred to the Borough Council. He should be sorry to see the Cemetery handed over to the Borough Council, as sur-

plus burying fees might then he expended in helping the Borough §f rates, instead of, as at present, in . improving the reserve. The property really belonged to the present Trust/; they were in possession, and the Education Board could alone interfere with them, and as they held a conveyance from that body, the Board were unlikely to do this. He advised registering their deed at once. Mr Galloway supported the view taken by Mr 11 Ilare, but thought that the Borough Council, if the

Cemetery fell into their hands, t would manage it through a Committee, like the present Trust.

Mr Hare said they would have no power to do so. Mr Galloway was satisfied that the present management gave more attention to the improvement of the property, than the Borough Council would be likely to do. The Chairman suggested that before taking any further step, they should obtain a legal opinion as to position. He concurred in the view expressed by Mr Hare, hut it was their duty to be guided in such an emergency by responsible legal advice. The suggestion of the Chairman was adopted.

The meeting, having remitted fees in two pauper eases from the Hospital, anil appointed Messrs Hourigan and Galloway a Works Committee adjourned.