Hastings to send Condolences to Pike River

Hastings people will be able to send their sympathies to the families of the 29 miners lost at Pike River Mine 11 days ago.

Condolence books are available for people to write messages of sympathy at Hastings District Council, Hastings, Flaxmere and Havelock North libraries, and St Matthew’s Church Hastings.

The books will be available until January before they are bound as one book to be sent to the West Coast, along with other condolence books from around New Zealand.

Flags around Hastings, including the Clock Tower and Hawke’s Bay Opera House, will be lowered to half-mast on Thursday to recognize the national memorial service being held at Greymouth racecourse.

Hastings Mayor and Local Government New Zealand president Lawrence Yule will be attending the memorial service.