Stone dedicated to former buildings PETRA FINER- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR

The loss one of Hawera's major historic buildings was marked last week with the installation of a commemorative stone. South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop says it is important to mark the day in the region's history. Mr Dunlop says he was particularly sad to see the main administration building pulled down. But realistically it couldn't have been prevented. "I love old buildings and history. I realised that to bring it up to today's standards was beyond any individual." The building was demolished earlier this year after concerns were raised about the safety threat posed to the public by the derelict building. Located at Southcare, the large concrete slab houses the two original foundation stones from Hawera Hospital, laid by then Health Minister, Sir Maui Pomare, in 1925. It also contains the foundation stones of the second Hawera Hospital, laid in 1966. The current Hawera Hospital was opened in 2002. The old hospital was empty but maintained by the Taranaki District Health Board until around 2007 when it started to fall into disrepair. Sir Maui's family travelled from Wellington to attend the blessing of the new stone site and his great-granddaughter, Miria Pomare, spoke on behalf of the family. "It was really important for us to be here," she says. "We think it's really important for the people of Taranaki and the people of our country to celebrate this occasion." The former hospital site has now been turned into farmland. Last updated 09:31 05/07/2012