New Historical Interest

Overgrown and forgotten, the small cemetery in Hirini Street was recently rediscovered when it was found that some of Gisborne's earliest settlers are buried there.

In particular, Edward Francis Harris (a son of Captain Harris - the first white trader in Gisborne), who was born on May 13, 1834 and died on July 26, 1898.

The Jaycees are in the process of cleaning up the area with the proposal of turning it into a cemetery park with strong historical interest for both local people and visitors.

Covered with rank grass and scrub and fennel, the area was soon cleared and work will now proceed in the form of headstone cleaning and ground levelling.