Could the Death Registration Record for Ann Williams shed any light on where she was buried

Williams Death 1860 3792

Well, Ann record of death has arrived, and it confirms a few deatils, and but no grave location. (Why is the quality of the scan sooooo bad? gah) I wrote back and asked if they could explain the fields on this register image... they noted that in 1861 the place of burial was not asked for. So the government does not hold that information, unfortunately.

Here is the record... the best I can make out... 

Death Registration Record (Timaru District)
Source: New Zealand "Registration Act, 1858", Section X
Quarter Ending: 31st December 1860

Entry No.: 13
Date and Place of Death: November 16th, 1860, Timaru
Name and Surname: Ann Williams
Sex: Female
Age: 35
Rank or Profession: Publican's Wife
Cause of Death: Apoplexy
Signature, Description, and Residence of Informant: Richard Smith Cole (Barman, Timaru)
When Registered: November 18th, 1860
Signature of Registrar: B Woollcombe 

(Apoplexy was a cerebral haemorrhage or stroke, and Belfield Woollcombe was the town's magistrate employed by the government.

Death Registration Record (Timaru District)

Source: New Zealand "Registration Act, 1858", Section X
Quarter Ending: 31st December 1860

  • Entry No.: 13

  • Date and Place of Death: November 16th, 1860, Timaru

  • Name and Surname: Ann Williams

  • Sex: Female

  • Age: 35

  • Rank or Profession: Publican's Wife

  • Cause of Death: Epilepsy

  • Signature, Description, and Residence of Informant: Rich'd Smith (Barman, Timaru)

  • When Registered: November 18th, 1860

  • Signature of Registrar: R.W. Tottenham

 

Side quest 1... Who was Lieutenant Belfield Woolcombe

He was the government's Resident Magistrate, her arrived in Timaru in 1857 and built a house at Ashbury Park.

In 1850s New Zealand, a government registrate/registrar, was responsible for maintaining public records, especially those involving births, deaths, marriages, and land transactions. He also wore a few extra hats, like Beachmaster and church warden.

I had assumed, as this was Woolcombe's job, that the records would be better, I'm not sure why. His records are not at the local museum, and are looked after by the government. You can search these online and see a basic level of information, but you have to pay and order a printout to be posted to you to see any details. - Which I have done for Ann and am eagerly waiting for... although I am realistic the paper work may not cite a burial plot.

 

Side Quest 2... who employed Woolcombe...

Between 1840 and 1856, New Zealand was governed by a British-appointed Governor. In 1852, Britain passed a law to set up a government in the colony, but until a parliament was formed in 1854, the Governor made the decisions and government ministers only answered to him.
In 1854, members of Parliament met for the first time, in the capital, Auckland. Parliament moved to Wellington in 1865, partly because of logistics for members from the south. In 1893, women gained the right to vote - the first government in the world to pass legislation. https://teara.govt.nz/en/voting-rights/page-1
There is a interactive timeline here: https://www.parliament.nz/timeline/index.html
Fun Fact... Timaru was a parliamentary electorate, in New Zealand's South Island. It existed continuously from 1861 to 1996 and was represented by eleven Members of Parliament. The Timaru electorate had 121 registered electors for the 1861 election.
Francis Jollie was the first representative. In the 1866 election, he successfully stood for Gladstone. Alfred Cox was the next representative.
Edward Stafford won the 1868 by-election and represented the electorate for a decade and resigned in 1878. Stafford Street is named after him.
Timaru local, Richard Turnbull won the 1878 by-election and represented Timaru until 1890, when he died while parliament was in session on 17 July. He had contested the 1887 election against Edward George Kerr, the proprietor of The Timaru Herald, and had won with a comfortable majority.
William Hall-Jones won the 1890 by-election. He became Prime Minister during his term, and retired in 1908. Hall-Jones was acting prime minister during the absence from the country of Seddon in 1906 and formed an administration immediately after Seddon's funeral. The name Hall might ring a bell, because one of his family members allegedly poisoned Captain Cain! That is why Hall Road was renamed to Pages Road.
James Craigie was the next representative, from the 1908 election. He retired in 1922. Craigie was succeeded by Frank Rolleston, who was defeated at the 1928 election. Cragie donated many artworks to the South Canterbury Arts Society, which formed the nucleus of the incredible Aigantighe Art Gallery collection.

From 1928 to 1985, the seat was held by two Labour MPs: Rev Clyde Carr a Christian minister who was a supporter of John A. Lee and remained a backbencher; and then Sir Basil Arthur a hereditary baronet and later Speaker of the House.

https://en.wikipedia.org/.../Timaru_(New_Zealand_electorate)