LEAD STORY: Memorial to a hero

Heartland New Zealand was firmly impressed in the minds of Leonard Snee's friends, family and work mates as they stood in the main street of Takapau to remember a special man in their lives.
A sheep truck rolled past on cue as about 100 people gathered outside the rural town's health centre yesterday to see a plaque unveiled by Vicki Snee.
The plaque, on the front of the centre, was in memory of her husband Senior Constable Leonard Snee, who died during last year's seige in Napier.
Mr Snee grew up in the Central Hawke's Bay town and his father known as "Bandy Snee" was one of five trustees of the Takapau Centennial Trust.
And to mark the connection, the trust decided it would have a plaque in the middle of town to remember one its sons.
Trust chairman Barrie Mabin opened the afternoon event by welcoming everyone to "heartland Central Hawke's Bay".
Mr Mabin said he did not know Leonard Snee personally but he was one in thousands who had left Takapau for "more expansive pastures".
"But I do know that he lost his mother at about the age of 4. To compensate a little, he had a father that had returned home from serving with the Maori Battalion who obviously taught him great values.
"The work ethic, the ability to have a job nearly completed while others were still talking about it, reliability, trustworthiness, to work for no rewards, to go the extra mile and many other life skills."
Leonard Snee's son, Sam, read the inscription on the plaque and then Mrs Snee told people how proud her husband was of Takapau.
The plaque describes Senior Constable Snee, born March 11, 1956, as: "Devoted family man, rugby enthusiast, excellent policeman, son of Takapau."
"He wouldn't have been the person he was if it wasn't for Takapau," she said. "He was a man of action, not a man of words ... and he would be humbled and honoured by this."
Police District Commander Sam Hoyle was among about 10 police officers who arrived in Takapau to see the plaque unveiled.
"Thanks to the trust for putting this up, it means a lot to people but it means a lot to us too," he said. "May 7 [2009] was a difficult day for us, we lost Len and almost lost two other mates as well."
Mr Snee's uncle, Arthur Snee, said the prayers, support and love offered by people had helped the family over the difficult recent times.