N.Z. Horticulturist Wins Rare Award

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 16

N.Z. Horticulturist Wins Rare Award

(N.Z. Preet Association? GISBORNE, April 25. The Veitch Memorial Medal, one of the rarest awards for horticulture in the world and one which is seldom given outride Britain, has been presented to Mr W. D. Cook, of Eastwoodhin, Ngatapa, for the outstanding service he has rendered to New Zealand horticulture. The medal is awarded in gold, silver and bronze and Mr Cook has been awarded the highest honour. Mr Cook has also been made an associate of honour of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture for the work he has done tn the establishment of the Rhododendron Trust at Pukeiti, near New Plymouth.

Mr Cook was the original owner of the land on which the trust has been developed. The Eastwoodhill property was purchased by Mr Cook in 1910 when the land was covered in scrub. At that time the horticultural interests of Mr Cook were concentrated on the homestead, but 15 to 25 years later the idea of building up an arboretum was conceived. The planting of hundreds of rare trees and shrubs from Britain and Europe over the years has made Eastwoodhill one o< the finest arboretums In the Southern Hemisphere. The gardener at the artoretum is Mr W, Crooks, who has bee at Eastwoodhin for 38 years and who is now caretaker for the owner, Mr H. B. Williams The property was bv Mr Cook in SeptemIber, 1995.