Conservation Plan Addington Cemetery - Christchurch City Libraries

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Conservation Plan for Addington Cemetery
Research to date has uncovered little evidence about the position of Sexton. There is a
reference in Jane Dean’s jubilee history to Mr James Taylor being appointed as the Sexton in
1874 and it appears that he was still in service in 1906. 26
An article in the Lyttelton Times of 12 December 1883 makes reference to the Sexton being
responsible for collecting the money for the plots and paid it to the Rev. Charles Fraser.
Reference is made in the Lyttelton Times of 1884 to a burial of a child where the plot was
not ready and the Sexton’s shed being opened for the supply of tools to dig the ground.
In 1923 a building permit for an office on site at Addington Cemetery was granted to J
Robertson ‐ the permit is dated 18 June 1923. 27
A report to Council of 1947 noted the presence of a shed and Sexton’s office (in good
condition) and there being one small privy for both sexes – “Such a condition of affairs
would not be tolerated if the Council took over control.” 28
Likely foundations of the Sextons office and tool shed as noted in the Building Permit of 1923 and
1947 Reserves Committee report.
26 Jane Deans, A Sketch of the Early History of St Andrew’s Church Christchurch, N.Z. 1856-1906, Christchurch
Press, 1906
27 National
Archives CCC Holdings CH 817 Building Permit Register
28 Report from the Reserves office of the Christchurch City Council to the Chairman
and members of the
Council’s Reserves Committee, 21 March 1947, p.3