Over the years JJ has had a number of headstones – the first being a wooden board – last seen in the nineties (if any family member has it in safe keeping could they make contact).

Then there is the Totara slab and  a mounted plaque. Sadly the Totara slab has been the favorite meal for some wood eating insects and is now on its way out.

The trees that had been surrounding the site have once again been cleared and the site opened up again.

Now we are just checking the level of interest and how people would feel if we propose to install a new headstone for John James at the Tokatoka Cemetery.

Tokatoka Cemetery – Mark Adams photograph

I have already spoken to the local council and they are open to the idea (funny enough when I started to speak to them about the idea they said his name – they know his grave).

They said it was up to the family if they would like a new headstone and would only be interested in what was proposed and did not see any restrictions.

My current thoughts are to see what the level of interest is – if no one is interested we will leave it how it is, if there is enough interest we will take the next step.

Please let us know what you think – perhaps we could have a new headstone unveiling at a family reunion in the next twelve to eighteen months or so.

As a side note for those interested, the Tokatoka Cemetery has no burial plots available. Any current vacant plots have been reserved or are already owned. However I am sure if there is enough interest from descendants of JJ that we could bring some pressure on the council that more land could be made available for family.