Both the Central Hawke’s Bay and Tararua District Councils have opened condolence books for Queen Elizabeth II.
Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Alex Walker, who personally lowered the Councils flag to half-mast on Friday, said condolence books would be opened for locals to sign at the Council offices and libraries.
Tararua District Mayor Tracey Collis said there would be condolence books at all Council offices, and at libraries as well.
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Fire and Emergency New Zealand is highlighting the value of working smoke alarms following a house fire in Waipukurau yesterday.
Fire appliances from Waipukurau and Waipawa were called to the home on Porangahau Road around 4.30pm, with the Hawke’s Bay Recovery team also attending.
Waipukurau Senior Station Officer, Pete Keenan, said neighbours were alerted by smoke alarms going off, and called the fire brigade.
He said this quick action saved significant damage, as another five or ten minutes would have seen the house explode.
The fire started in the basement area of the house, and a fire safety investigator will visit the scene this morning to determine the cause.
Pete Keenan said no-one was home at the time the fire broke out, but sadly, the family cat died.
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A Strong Wind Watch is in place for Hawke’s Bay and Tararua District from later today.
Metservice says in the 17 hours from 4pm today until 9am tomorrow, west to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places.
Periods of heavy rain are also expected for areas south of Waipawa and about the ranges today.
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A further Meet the Candidates meeting is being held in Tararua tonight.
Hosted by Pongaroa – The Way To Go, candidates for the upcoming local body elections, will speak at the event at the Pongaroa Hall from seven o’clock tonight.
Last week, a Meet the Candidates organised by Dannevirke Greypower in Dannevirke attracted about 100 people.
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The Big Barrel Tui have won the Farah Palmer Cup with a 24-20 win over Otago Spirit.
It was a close game, with the Tui scoring the winning points in the final minutes of the game.
The game was the final one for local Emma Jensen, who is retiring after 160 first class games.
Jensen left the field with just over 10 minutes to go and received a standing ovation.
Meanwhile the Magpies have retained the Ranfurly Shield with a win over Southland.
Played at McLean Park, Hawke’s Bay beat the stags convincingly, 69-24.
This week, the Ranfurly Shield will again be on the line when the Magpies play Wellington at 7.05pm Saturday at McLean Park.
