Hawke's Bay earthquake remembered 70 years on

11:30 AM By RUTH HILL

A moment of silence today marked the minute, 70 years ago, when the great earthquake struck.

Crowds, including several of the quake's survivors, gathered at memorial services in St John's Cathedral in Napier and at the Hastings Clock Tower this morning to remember the day 258 Hawke's Bay people lost their lives.

At 10.46am, the time the first quake hit, the largest cathedral bell began to toll 258 times, and candles were lit while the names of the dead were read out.

Napier Mayor Alan Dick and earthquake survivor May Blair, who was a first-year pupil at Napier Technical College at the time, spoke at the service.

Piles of rubble in front of the altar were a stark reminder of the destruction of the original cathedral building, which resulted in two deaths and other serious injuries. About 400 attended the service The Hastings Clock Tower, built to symbolise Hastings "rising with confidence from adversity", replaced the town clock lost when the Post Office building was destroyed.

Two-hundred people attended the Hastings memorial service, presided over by local minister and kaumatua Tieme Whaanga. The service paid tribute to those who died, and celebrated the city's rebirth.

Local storyteller Jennifer Howard presented stories about the earthquake, there were musical performances, and then those present moved to the Hastings District Council Chambers for morning tea.

Last night saw the launch of historian Matthew Wright's book, Quake Hawke's Bay 1921, at the Hawke's Bay Museum in Napier.

A crowd of 50 gathered for the occasion, organised by Dymocks Booksellers of Napier, with many of those present taking the opportunity to make donations to the victims of the recent Indian earthquake.