Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 46, September 2002
The Paeroa and District Historical Society congratulates member, Colin Townsend, on the publication of his latest (and fourth) book, Cemetery Tales.
The book was inspired by Mr Townsend's visit to Paeroa Cemetery to search for a headstone as part of his research for a book. There he came across the headstone of Fredrick Middleton, aged twenty-three and Angus McColl, aged twenty-six. The epitaph read, "Together in death as they were in life". Mr Townsend carried out some research and found that these two friends were killed in an accident at the Crown Mine at Karangahake.
This research whetted Mr Townsend's curiosity and led to a search of more stories as to how and why other subjects lost their lives, mainly during the years 1900 and 1935. Many of the stories revealed were interesting, while some were gruesome.
Mr Townsend took twelve months to research and write the book. He used Government records and old copies of the Ohinemuri Gazette.
Cemetery Tales is available for purchase from Mr Townsend. It is also available at the Paeroa Museum.