The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-02-18
CEMETERY
DEFENDED
Mr.. CIeghorn Believes
Sanitary Argument
Mythical.

Former Governor a. S. Cleghorn, who
directed the beautifying of the Kawaia-
hao church grounds accomplished with
in recent years, appeared before the
Board of Health yesterday in opposition
to the stoppage of burials in the cemetery
partly surrounding that church.
When introduced by DR.. Mays and
asked to make a statement, Mr.. Cleg-
horn said he thought he was to be CUES
toned. About FIVE years ago he was
authorized by the trustees to improve
the place. There was good soil on top
and then black sand and he could not
see where was any menace to public
health.
President Cooper mentioned the re-
ports made some time ago OF overcrowd-
ing, so that old graves were being brok-
en- into by fresh interments.
Mr.. C1eghorn said the cemetery had
existed for fifty years. He had always
instructed them to have graves rounded
I'D. so that they could be located. The
present sexton had been employed for
ten graves and been present at the dig
cling of 81 others. He had come across
only two old graves in that experience.
In answer to citation of reports OF
inspection the president made, Mr.. Cleg-
horn said there was no reason for the
disturbances of old graves alleged, as
there was lots of virgin soil that had
never been touched. He thought the
compound had an area of FIVE or six
acres.
DR.. Mays, who had inspected the
premises, said there was large piece
of ground that had never been touched.
Rev. Mr.. Parker had shown him one
large piece and several of smaller di-
mansions in which no burials had been
made The large piece was one-half or
two-thirds of an acre. Mr.. Parker show
ed him a square bit of ground, about
twice the size of the Board of Health
room, containing several mounds, in
which he had forbidden burials, but a
few days after he had given the order
the mounds had been leveled off, 1t
would very difficult now to say how
many burials had taken place there.
DIR. Cooper, answering remark of
Mr. C1eghorn. said that if KaWaiahao
cemetery were excepted from a regula-
ton to stop burials within the city there
would be complaint of discrimination.
Mr.. Cleghorn, said that If Kawaiaflao
should stand on its own merits, adding
that there were many family plots in
Kawaiahao having plenty of room left.
DR.. Cooper considered that for sani-
tary reasons it would be well to have
cemeteries within city bounds closed.
Mr.. Lane said they might have more
trouble on their hands than they would
know what to do with, if they interfered
with family burial plots.
Mr.. Cleghorn spoke OF his visit to his
native town, Edinburgh, saying burials
had been going on there in the heart of
the city for the past two hundred years.
1t was the same way in towns of Italy
and even the United States mainland
DR.. Cooper thought it was the policy
now of all cities of any size to stop
burying within city bounds. Mr.. Cleg
horn said that was because the land was
valuable, to which DR. Cooper replied
that apart from that question there were
reasons. 1t was considered insanitary to
have cemeteries amidst the living popu-
lation.
4 think that is all a myth about
danger to the public health" Mr. Cleg-
horn remarked.
DR.. Mays said there was no doubt the
Catholic cemetery was insanitary, and
President Cooper asked what was the
difference between it and Kawaiahao
Water" Mr.. Cleghorn answered
You cannot dig six feet in the Catholic
cemetery without finding water, | am
told, while you can dig ten feet in ka-
waiahao without finding water.
DR.. Pratt by request gave some
particulars of inspection, showing the
water in the Catholic. and the over
crowding in the Kawaiahao cemetery.
These details have all been published in
official reports.
President Cooper promised further
consideration of the question and Mr..