THE WHATA WHATA MILITARY GRAVE-YARD

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 765, 12 May 1877, Page 3

THE WHATA WHATA MILITARY GRAVE-YARD

WOur Correspondence columns being imo partially: open to aU matters of ptibiih interest, we cannot be identified with the opinions therein expressed.

Sib,— On the banks of the Wuipa Hirer at Whata Wba«a there are, exposed lo the view of passers bj, a few decayed wooden slabs with the superscription “ Sacred to the memory of—” giving the names of each whose remains slumber be* neath. the sod, and exhibiting Io (he casual passer-by that they whose remains are so denoted were men in the prime of life, who buoyant wi'h hopes of the future, left, their miliye shores to fight the dusky warrior 'of - New Zealand, and establish more firmly on this si' : e tho globe the ( flag that’s brarod a thousand years (he battle and tho breczs.’ But Oh ! What memories does that lonely, neglected, and desolate spot oall forth, as the almost obliterated slabs say—age 24, age 22, &&., setting forth that these lonely sleepers were but blooming into manhood when the thread of life was violently snapped asunder. How many anxious thoughts of enquiring friends, aye, and perhaps sweethearts, too, id that fnr off land have been endeavouring to conjure up before the mind’s eye the loved forms of the lonely sleepers, little dreaming of the wild, weird, and unhallowed spot of their lost resting pla f e on earth. . But yet, not for long their re.- ting plac j, far from the rapid encroachments caused by tho winter rains and tbe occasional flooding of the Waipa Kiver, their graves will, like themselves, undoubtedly vanish altogether unless something be done to stay tho fust fretting away of the bank, i am sure the mailer has bat to be noticed and

some remedy will bo applied to keep the grates intact, for never should it be said that Now Zoalend pays no respect to the soldiers' grave.—l am, &o, Traveller.