CEMETERIES
established on Nile Hill (on Point Robertson) when the old cemetery at Constant Bay was abandoned, in 1873 or 1874. In 1882 this was officially declared a cemetery under the Cemeteries Act of that year, and trustees in terms of this Act were appointed on 27th April idem. They were Roger Walker (Chairman), Gilbert Harper, George Moore, G. Brown, and M. E. Gardner (Secretary). The first meeting was held in Roger Walker’s house, Darkie’s Terrace Road. The first burial recorded thereafter was of one of the trustees, Gilbert Harper, who died on 29th May, 1882. However, there were many burials prior to 1882, but records are not available.
Funerals. It was a convention that all who could should show respect to departed citizens by attending their obsequies; and in most cases business was suspended during the afternoon of the funeral day to enable all to fulfil this duty, a tribute that few receive in the world of to-day. Charleston had no hearse, the coffin being carried on four or five shoulders, and covered by a wide pall. Mourners were provided with black crepe hatbands, whilst the undertaker (to-day termed funeral director or mortician) adopted conventional attire-frock-coat, top hat with long crepe streamers, and black gloves. The undertakers were Richard Treadwell and, later, George Hurburgh.
The following particulars of the funeral of the Rev.W. D. Rusz, condensed from a newspaper of 1873, is typical: “All shops were closed from receipt of the news of the death (8th April) until the hour fixed for the funeral (9th April) and then entirely closed until the following day (10th April). For the funeral most miners ceased work, and about five hundred persons attended, including Oddfellows and Foresters, and Sunday School children. The service was conducted by Rev. Flavell from Reefton, and Rev. Soutar from Westport. A town collection resulted in a sufficient amount to provide a handsome tombstone and railing.”
BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES.
Although official registration of births started in 1858 in accordance with the “Registration Act” of that year, it was not until 1868 that Charleston was constituted a district for the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Registrars’
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