(L2R) RDC Environmental Planner, Lauren Gram, and Team Leader Community Property, Rebecca van Orden, examine some of the vandalised headstones at Taumarunui’s old cemetery.

ATTACK ON OLD CEMETARY HEADSTONES

Ruapehu District Council (RDC) is asking for the public’s help to find the culprits who vandalised five headstones in Taumarunui’s old cemetery yesterday night.

Dates on the headstones show that they go back to the 1920’s with one headstone having an inscription referencing a railway disaster.

RDC Team Leader Community Property, Rebecca van Orden, said that it was really disappointing that people would do this sort of mindless act.

“These old graves embody part of the history of Taumarunui and the King Country.”

“Unfortunately there is a minority who for whatever reason don’t have enough pride in themselves or our town and do this sort of thing,” she said.

“As well as the physical damage and cost this sort of act can affect family members quite badly.”

“Council will research our records and try to ascertain who their descendants are and whether they can be contacted.”

“Because of the age of the graves this might be quite difficult.”

Mrs van Orden noted that council doesn’t have the resources to pay to have the headstones fixed.

“The headstones are owned by the family and the responsibility for repairing them would rest with any relatives if they can be found,” she said.

“Council will however do what we can to reassemble the pieces and lay them on top of the graves as best we can.”

Mrs van Orden said that if anyone has any information about the vandalism they should report it to the Police which can be done anonymously if people prefer.

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