The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-01-24
Correspondents of ae rne, Com Aareaaser)

Ma. EprroR In your paper Of the I''h INST
the ,thl;, have been favored with IL Peep u "'
Csne,-,y Bo55S.' aud, 10 doubt, have also been
thrilled by the E. Si1rHiH- RsreiatoH y OF 4 lruS
tee Of the Nuuanu Valley Cemetery Association
The writer's Of those articles have seen fit 10 nIiude
10 the Masonic Lodge in terms which are anything
but Complimentary and are calculated to throw as
credit upon the Fraternity. We take 1t Tor sfah'eH
that Hawaiian Lodge Is the enc referred to 10y your
corresponient. because It is the one which has erect
81 =, ornamental fence around its lot in the Gene
ferry We. therefore, in behalf Of that Lodge, de-
sire 70 set the minds Of the public Alright with re
gard 10 the statements in the communications ABOVE
referred to.
Hawaiian Lodge is not selfish or mean in IT'S deal
ings with the dead. 1t has always been, anu sun IS
ready and willing to contribute It's proportion Of the
necessary expenses of keeping the Cemetery GROUNDS
in proper condition, uhcnsrsr called upon SO TO 40,
nrovided il can be assured that the grounds Will not
only be put in thorough repair, but Kept So But II
is not willing 10 pay out its funds towards the IL
ouiiation Of a debt incurred without ITS sanction or
a dyice. and for which it considers itself not respon-
sible either legally or morally. The Board OF Irus-
teas mr. the Superintendent. (who is he y contracted
the debt. supposing that they would be remanerated
bv the sale of lots-that was their idea at the start,
according to "a Trustees y statement they alu
not then look 10 voluntary contributions from Ma
sons or Odd Fellows for reimbursement; but now
that the investment is likely to prove Improbable,
we are proclaimed rs having acted most dishonesty
in neglecting TO DO what has never been requested Of
us in a proper manner.
The assertion that the Masous have buried many
people in their lot, but have not paid thus far one
dollar of fees, is..simply untrue. For every inter
mont, that has hen made in our lot we have paid for digging
tba I've and for the use Of the hearse-except in the few cases
where The relatives or executors Of the deceased proposed to
relieve us Of the expense and as our lot IS our oich' ahi 10
the property OF the Cemetery Association, we cannot conceive
why "a Trustee" should insinuate that We have been bury
ing our dead At the expense Of the association No wonder
that a man who makes such uufounded statements IS ashamed
t. sign his name to them what these ICES arr Ah'' (
frequently spoken Of by your correspondents, When' " nS
whom. they were established, or to whom they are payable 5
entirely unknown to Us. We do know that all bills presented
by the Cemetery Association against Ha"ahan Lodse nave
We also know that that Lodge has expended more than five
hundred and fifty dollars for the lot and the fence which sur
rounds it; that the lot will contain but about sixteen graves,
which without the sections charges will make the cost OF
each intermeut about thrty-fve dollars. The additional eN-
penSe Of keeping the fence properly painted, Is not less IMAM
twenty dollars per annum. With these facts before them, and
taking into consideration the fact that the greater portion u
our income as a lodge Is devoted TO charitable purposes and
muuity will be convinced that Hawaiian Lodge, in its relation
with the Nuuanu Valley Cemetery Association has not been
guilty either of neglect, s~elishness, or parsimony.
When that association will employ a person 70 take charge oi
the Cemetery and keep its grounds in order, then Hawaiian
Lodge will not be backward in contributing its proportion OF
the expense. Before it does this however, the Lodge, like any
prudent individual. would like to see a statement Of expenses
and receipts better authenticated than by a fictitious signature
Who are the authors Of the Objectionable communications IN
culiar gusto with which they attack both Masons and Odd Eel
lows, it il reasonable to infer that prejudice or private reasons
Of Il peculiar nature, may have had as much to do with the
inditing OF these articles, as any interest they may ieeI IN 'e
prosperity Of the Nuuanu Valley Cemetery Association.
Very Respectfully yours,
BENJ. +. DURHAM,
ALEx'R j. CARrwRIGHr,
Master and Past Master Of Hawaiian Lodge,
Honolulu, Jan. ~, 1861. No 2l, Z. X AN.