The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1904-02-19
CEMETERY DEFENDED.

Former Governor A. S. Cleghorn, who
directed the identifying of the Kawaia
hao church grounds accomplished with
in recent years, appeared before the
Board of Health yesterday in opposition
partly surrounding that church.
When introduced by DR.. Mays anc
asked to make statement, Mr.. Cleg-
horn said he thought he was to be ques-
toned About five years ago he was
authorized by the trustees to improve
the place. There was good soil on tor
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 Qi,at old graves were being brok-
en- into by fresh nterments.
Mr.. Cleghorn said the cemetery had
existed for fifty years. He had always
instructed them to have graves rounded
up, so that they could be located The
present sexton had been employed for
nine months, in which time he had dug
ten graves and been present at the dig
ging of "a others. He had come across
only two old graves in that experience.
In answer to a 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
twothirds OF an acre. MIR, Parker show
ed him 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.. Cleghorn. said that if Kawaiahao
were excepted from a regula-
ton TO stop burials within the city there
would be complaint of discrimination.
Mr.. Cleghorn, said that if Kawaiahao
should stand on its own merits, adding
that there were many family plots in
having plenty of room left.
DIR, Cooper considered that for sani-
tary reasons it would be well TO have
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
mad been going on there in the heart of
he 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
ourying within city bounds. Mr.. Cleg-
horn said that was because the land was
10 which DR., Cooper replied
hat apart from that question there were
'easons, 1t was considered insanitary to
rave cemeteries amidst the living popu-
alton.
Il think that is all a myth about
LANCER TO the public health" Mr.. Cleg-
lorn remarked
DIR. Mays said there was no doubt the
-atholic cemetery was inSanitary, and |
President Cooper asked what was the
Inference between it and Kawaiahao.
Water" Mr.. Cleghorn answered !
You cannot dig six feet in the Catholic |
emetery without finding water, | am
old. while you can dig ten feet in Ka-
saiahao without finding water.
Dr. Pratt by request gave some
of inspection, showing the
water in the Catholic, and the over
in the kawaiahao cemetery.
'hese details have all been published in
fficial reports.
President Cooper promised further
of the question and Mr..
.ieghorn took his leave.