Theft of greenstone from grave dismays family

BY SAM MCKNIGHT

A precious bond between a Riverton father and son has been severed by thieves, leaving their family broken-hearted and asking why.

A slab of pounamu, or greenstone, has been stolen from the town's cemetery during the past month which stood as an enduring connection between two men, for what was hoped to be an eternity.

Jane Davis said her family was saddened that someone would desecrate the graves of her husband and son.

The pounamu was embedded in cement and positioned between the headstones of her husband Wiremu (Bill), who died in 1992, and her son Patu, who died in 1998, she said.

"It simply is not right. It was very special to us and acted as a spiritual link between them," Mrs Davis said.

But someone had taken it upon themselves to break that link, she said.

The slab of pounamu was almost 50cm tall and about 25cm square with a polished face and the gravesite was in the newer section of the cemetery, she said.

Mrs Davis said the discovery was made when she visited the gravesite at the start of the month.

"I went to put some flowers down and felt something was different before I realised it was gone."

Another family member visited about August 10 so it must have been taken in the past month, she said.

The pounamu was tribute to her husband's time fishing in Fiordland and Ngai Tahu heritage and the family made a special journey into the area to find it, she said.

"How can someone take something from a grave?"

The theft had taken its toll on her, reviving painful memories she thought were laid to rest.

"It's a very hard thing to lose your child and something like this brings back things you thought you got over."

She hoped whoever took it would have the decency to put it back, so her entire family could rest easy.

Her biggest fear was that they had already cut the slab into pieces.

The theft from the cemetery is not the first and not the first time the grave of a Davis has been the casualty.

In July, Ron Bull wrote a letter to the Southland Times in disgust that the plaque of his brother William Charles Davis had been stolen.

The two were distant relations and Mrs Davis was unsure whether there was any connection between the thefts. "I certainly hope not, but it is a bit scary."

Constable Aaron Hogue, of Riverton, said police were investigating the theft and believed someone must know where the greenstone was. Anyone with information should contact Riverton Police.

- © Fairfax NZ News