×

 

• 

A handsome pair of wrought iron gates swung from pillars of natural stone provide an irapressive entrance to the Hira Public Cemetery. The gates, and the flanking stone and wrought iron fence, ware constructed as a tri-buta to the pioneers who opened up the Wakapuaka-Hira district in 1842. Despite freezing conditions, a large number of residents gathered for the dedication of the gates and their official opening (above) Officials and guests before the gates: George westley (chairman of the erection committee), Mrs westley, Mrs Amy Flower (oldest surviving descendant of the pioneers), the Rev A. K. Gregory, Mrs Margaret Oakley (secretary), two Members of Parliament, Messrs Bill Rowling and Stan Russell and Mr Hugh Wyllie, representing the Waimea County Council.