Otago Daily Times, 22/3/01

By Vivienne Paterson.

Balclutha: The Save Mahinerangi . Society is "outraged" the Clutha District Council plans to search for evidence of bodies near a crib built at the Waipori Cemetery.

The council says it will bore holes around the crib to address the society's concerns about the possibility of bodies being buried in the section. Society secretary Trevor Reeves contacted the Otago Daily Times yesterday saying he had information, from a source he would not divulge, that the council's sexton had been digging holes around the crib in an area where society members believed bodies were buried.

He described the action as "desecration".

District council regulatory services manager Murray Burns said the digging had been authorised but as of yesterday afternoon, it had not yet been carried out.

The council was aware some members of the public, and especially some members of the Save Mahinerangi Society, had not been satisfied with a radar investigation of the site.

"We were confident after that report that the rocky ground and lack of topsoil made it unlikely that anyone had ever been buried on the site.

"But because there was still concern being expressed, we decided to investigate further, just to make certain what we believe is correct." But Mr Reeves said digging sample areas would not prove conclusively that no bodies were buried.

"We are totally outraged by this activity. The council is desecrating a burial ground and has no authority to do it," he said.

Response to the Clutha District Council's plans to dig.

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For Enquiries Save Mahinerangi Society (Inc.)

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