PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OAK.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15016, 10 July 1914, Page 3

PRINCESS ALEXANDRA OAK.

AN. INTERESTING CEREMONY.

lii the presence of -a somewhat small gathering at tho junction of Fitzgerald avenue and Ferry road, the Mayor (Mr H.. Holland) and Cr. J. R. Hayward (chairman of tho Reserves Committee of tho City Council) yesterday replanted iyi oak in substitution of tho ono planted fifty-one years ago to commemorate tho wedding of tho Princo of TVales (afterwards King Edward VII.) and Princess Alexandra. Two oaks- were planted on Fitzgerald avenup on tho occasion. The Albert Edward oak is still alive,* but tho Alexandra oak died. At eleven o'clock tho Mayor and Crs. J. 11. Havward and H. B. Sorensen, 'Mr C. D. Morris (ex-chairman of tho Reserves Committee), and tho Town Clerk (Mr H. R. Smith) arrived. Tho municipal head gardener, Mr W. Wiokcns. and some of his staff, had prepared tho ground for tho reception of tho new tree, which had been carefully selected. Doffing their coats, tho Mayor and Cr. Hayward wero soon busy with long-handled shovels depositing" earth round tho roots, whilst the crowd looked on and "encouraged them with more or loss appropriate comments. * . •' ! THE MAYOR'S SPEECH. ; When sufficient earth had boon shovelled in, the. Mayor briefly addressed the gathering. Mr Holland said that the occasion was one more for regret than rejoicing. Fifty-ono years ago there was great rejoicing in'Christchurch when tho two memorial oaks were planted to commcniorato tho marriage of tho Princo of Wales and Princess Alexandra. Jho Albert Edward oak was still alive and doing very well, whilst ho himself was dead; Queen Alexandra was still alive, but tho memorial oak was dead. About eighteen months ago tho Council took all possible steps to preserve tho oak, but its efforts wero unsuccessful. Tho tree had been removed, and was now awaiting an offer from 6ome generous cabinetmaker to transfer some of its wood into a chair. It was a fiuo piece of wood, beautifully figured. His Worship concluded with a eulogy of Queen Alexandra, , who was, he said, beloved by everyone throughout tho Empire. *Ho declared tho treo well ana truly planted. This concluded tho ceremony.