PLANTING OF TREES

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 8, 10 July 1939, Page 10

PLANTING OF TREES

MOVE BY OLD BOYS

MINISTER'S COMMENDATION'

A suggestion made by a deputation which waited upon the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E.,Parry) today aimed at the planting of native trees by old boys in the grounds of the schools they had attended. These trees would serve, it was stated, as Centennial memorials and would express fitting recognition of what the schools iiad done for the old boys in their early training. It was pointed out that an excellent example for old boys and old girls of other schools was the gift of a cherry drive by the Timaru High School Old Boys' Association as a sign of their gratitude for the education received at the school. The Minister said he viewed the suggestion as being one of the best yat submitted. Although the memorial of cherry trees in the grounds of the Timaru High School could be characterised only as. admirable, it was- not directly linked up with tbe Centennial of New Zealand Still, it had come appropriately in the Centennial period, a fact which should help to stimulate other associations of old boys and girls into taking similar action. In some localities, where the present pupils were actively interested in Centennial tree-planting projects, the old students might see a desirable opportunity for co-operation in a manner Which would allow their plantation to be a distinct part of the whole scheme. "The old boys or girls, of any school or college," Mr. .Parry added, "in their expression of gratitude, may wish to have their tree-planting associated with the names of distinguished men or women deemed worthy of such remembrance. In any case, such planting will be a very pleasant Centennial gesture in honour of any school. Trees of any kind, but preferably native trees, either grown separately or clustered in a park, have .i remarkable appeal not only to New Zealanders but also to visitors."