The Star: March 16, 2023

The Star Thursday March 16 2023
16
NEWS
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Elderly widow upset over state of grave
• By Tony Simons
WIDOW KATHLEEN Coster
lost her husband Aubrey in
March 2011, less than a month
after the earthquake.
The 91-year-old is angry and
upset after visiting her husband’s
resting place at Avonhead
Memorial Cemetery to find it
overgrown with grass and weeds.
The cemetery is also where the
remains of unidentified victims
from the CTV building collapse
are buried.
It used to be called Avonhead
Park Cemetery until, somewhat
controversially, it was renamed.
“My daughter and I visited on
Saturday,” said Coster.
“It was the 12th anniversary of
Aubrey’s death.
“We were shocked and
disappointed to see the state of
the place, with grass and weeds
above our ankles,” she said.
Most of the graves are
overgrown, many a lot worse
than Aubrey’s, she said.
“I have complained before as I
visit quite frequently. This time it
was the worst,” she said.
Coster’s daughter
Christine Coster was with
her on Saturday and said she
was shocked and angry to see
the state of the place.
“It’s like a kick in the guts,” she
said.
“It’s unbelievable, weeds and
grass all over the stones.
“My father was ill through the
time of the earthquakes.
“Mum nursed him at home
while their house shook.
“He fought in World War 2 in
the Pacific, she said.
“Like the earthquake victims,
he, and all those buried there,
deserve more respect, said
Coster.
“I told mum if the council does
nothing I’ll carry a lawnmover
in and mow around Dad’s grave
myself, just like other families
have done,” she said.
The city council confirmed it
has received six complaints about
the state of the cemetery over the
past year, with two received on
POOR STATE:
Christine
Coster and
her 91-yearold
mother
Kathleen at
Aubrey’s grave,
near the
earthquake
memorial
area, in
Avonhead
Memorial
Cemetery.
Monday.
The city council said the last
time the cemetery was mowed
was Friday March 3rd.
Community Parks manager,
Al Hardy said it was scheduled
to be mowed again on Monday
but because of heavy rain it was
rescheduled to avoid damaging
the ground.
Increased rainfall followed
by hot temperatures over recent
weeks has contributed to an
autumn “flush” of growth that is
unavoidable, he said.
“At this time of year the
cemetery is on a 10 day rotation
for mowing and, except for
Monday, that rotation has been
followed,” said Hardy.
Bin Good with recycling
By putting the right clean items in the yellow bin,
you’re helping to reduce waste going to landfill.
These are the only items that can go in the yellow bin:
Remember:
Give your bottles
and containers a rinse
and make sure they
are loose.
Plastic bottles & containers numbered 1, 2 and 5
(3 litres and under and put lids in the red bin)
Glass bottles and jars
(put lids in the red bin)
Thanks for
bin good
If you need more info
download our handy
Christchurch Bins app
ccc.govt.nz/bin-app
Flattened cardboard and paper
(no smaller than a standard envelope)
Aluminium cans and metal tins
(please don’t squash)