WCC, Karori and Makara Cemetery, Cemeteries Grave Repairs and Maintenance Registers

Descriptive Data

Archives Identifier00230Date Range1892-1976DescriptionThe Wellington City Council Cemetery staff are responsible for repairs and maintenance to paths and buildings, for tree management and for cutting the grass in the lawn and soldiers sections of the Karori cemetery. They are responsible for all grass cutting in the Makara Cemetery [Makara was deliberately designed as a lawn cemetery to make maintenance easier].

Repairs to most graves are the responsibility of the plot owners, except for certain graves for which Internal Affairs is responsible. In the past, plot owners could pay an annual sum to have a certain amount of plot maintenance carried out or a lump sum to provide maintenance 'in perpetuity'. Maintenance of graves by cemetery staff ceased sometime during the 1950s when availability of labour became a problem.

Permits are required to undertake any repairs to walls, headstones or plot covering [See series 00245]. Registers of graves to be kept in order, for all cemeteries, are arranged by first letter of the surname of the person making request, then by date. Information in the registers of graves to be kept in order includes date, name AND address of person making request, expiry date, type of work, period covered, name of deceased, amount paid. Sometimes the cemetery is identified.

Registers of repairs to graves and niches are arranged in alphabetical order of person interred. They include date, grave or niche location from 1908, the nature of the repairs, the name of the monumental mason doing the repairs and the name of the person giving authority [including their relationship with the deceased].

One register includes a list of accidents to staff 1929-1931, including name, date of accident, brief description of accident and any treatment. This list also identifies relief workers. A number of relief workers were employed in the cemetery during the Depression.

The correspondence includes accounts and notes relating to repair of damage to graves and chapel caused by trees, fires, vandalism and general wear and tear from c. 1935 to 1961. It includes copies of older material relating to the Bolton and Sydney Streets cemeteries as well as material relating to Karori cemetery. This is arranged in date order (c. 1935-1961).Quantity (Linear Metres)0.55MediumFileCollection TypeWellington City Council

Access Information

Restriction StatusOpen

Related Agencies

Controlling or Creating AgencyKarori CemeteryRelationship Date Range1892-

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WCC, Karori and Makara Cemetery, Cemeteries Grave Repairs and Maintenance Registers