Our Community
Two headstones smashed by vandals at the Hoktiika Cemetery have been replaced free of charge by Thompson Monumental Masons. Just who was responsible for the upkeep and repar of the old headstones was bandied around at a Westland District Council meeting earlier this year after it was decided that finding any descendants was highly unlikely.
However, last month Thompson Monumental Mason's offered to repair the two headstones - more than $1,500 each - as a communtity gesture. Funeral director Wayne Thompson sais a lot of research had gone into the old monuments. The correct locations of the plots where Sarah Ward and Patrick Halligan had been were laid to rest many years ago were also found. The old headstones had been shifted in a big cleanup of the cemetery in the 1970s. Sarah Ward's sandstone memorial was smashed beyond repair.
"We had a similar style of granite headstone in stoclk, which we engraved the original inscription on to and the memorial was then erected in the correct location, about 60m away."
Meanwhile, Patrick Halligans marble memorial, which was broken in half, was pinned and fixed back together and also relocated to its rightful spot, about the same distance away in another direction.
Westland Mayor Maureen Pugh thanked Thompson Monumetnal Masons, says the repaired headstones would make a significant and positive difference to the presentation of the cemetery and restore respect due to those buried there.
However, last month Thompson Monumental Mason's offered to repair the two headstones - more than $1,500 each - as a communtity gesture. Funeral director Wayne Thompson sais a lot of research had gone into the old monuments. The correct locations of the plots where Sarah Ward and Patrick Halligan had been were laid to rest many years ago were also found. The old headstones had been shifted in a big cleanup of the cemetery in the 1970s. Sarah Ward's sandstone memorial was smashed beyond repair.
"We had a similar style of granite headstone in stoclk, which we engraved the original inscription on to and the memorial was then erected in the correct location, about 60m away."
Meanwhile, Patrick Halligans marble memorial, which was broken in half, was pinned and fixed back together and also relocated to its rightful spot, about the same distance away in another direction.
Westland Mayor Maureen Pugh thanked Thompson Monumetnal Masons, says the repaired headstones would make a significant and positive difference to the presentation of the cemetery and restore respect due to those buried there.
