BIRTH OF ARBOR DAY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 264, 4 August 1936, Page 10

BIRTH OF ARBOR DAY

Lord Galway Emphasises Importance of Forests WILL PRESENT TROPHY FOR TREE-PLANTING “So far back as 1892 I find from old records at Government House that the then Government of New Zealand had expressed concern at the lack of trees in many districts and deplored the reckless stripping of forests from hills and mountain sides, and the consequent diminishing water supply in many of the streams,” said the Go-vernor-General, Viscount Galway, in a broadcast address on Arbor Day, last evening. ' "As a first means of remedying this state of affairs, the Government took the matter up officially, and on July 14, of that year, issued a circular to all Government departments, together with an invitation to local authorities and to the people of the country generally, to observe one day in the year for the purpose of planting trees. The notice read: — It has been decided to observe Thursday, the 4th. August, as a public holiday in all public offices throughout the Colony for the planting of trees and shrubs in suitable public places and reserves, and in private grounds, and for the observance of such ceremonies or demonstrations as are suitable to the general character of the occasion.

"The attention of the public was also widely drawn to the destruction of timber trees which had been taking place in all parts of the Colony for many years previously, and an appeal was made to the people to conserve, as far as possible, the forests that remained. For the following 25 years—until 1916—one day in the year, usually in July, was set aside as Arbor Day, and Government offices and schools were closed to enable those concerned to take part in tree-planting ceremonies. In 1916, however, Arbor Day ceased to be observed as a public holiday, but the Government expressed the hope that the planting of trees in public reserves and elsewhere would continue to be undertaken by local bodies and education boards. It is a fact, however, that since that time the day has been observed but occasionally, and only in certain localities, although it is very pleasing indeed to note that of late the people of the Dominion are realising once more the importance of Arbor Day, and that there is an obvious desire to revive its observance on the old systematic lines.” Few countries in the world could boast of trees comparable with those of New Zealand, said his Excellency. In the kauri she had one of the largest trees, yielding the best all-round utility timber available. The totara, beautiful as a tree and most durable as a timber, was of historic interest as having provided the material for the Maoris’ great war canoes in the past. The rimu, kahikatea, the matai, the pohutukawa, were all beautiful trees, and it seemed a pity that they were now so scarce throughout the country that comparatively few New Zealanders were able to identify them. In the old days the Maoris bad their traditions and superstitions in the matter of trees. To the Maori the whole forest was tapu, or sacred, and it was always necessary to make a suitable offering when a tree was felled, as otherwise, according to Maori legend, the destruction of the tree or the forest brought evil to the Individual and the tribe. “What is our present-day interpretation of this legend?” asked his Excellency. “Is it not that the unnecessary destruction of the tree or the forest —which has taken many years to reach maturity—involved the tribe in the loss of a valuable asset — shelter and assured rainfall for their crops, and timber for their implements, their homes and their canoes? Whatever be the origin of the legend, it is certain that the Maori of old very wisely had a high regard for the tree and the forest. One might imagine that there, exists some connection between the legend and the old English saying, ‘Remember that for every tree you cut down you shall plant six young ones.’ ”

He had heard New Zealanders speak of the vandals of bygone days, and of the unnecessary destruction by pioneers of trees and forests, said his Excellency. While appreciating their point of view, he was well aware also that the pioneers found it necessary to view the matter from a different angle. They reasoned—and quite correctly it seemed to them—that if they were to farm the land the trees must, be removed, especially as there were then in the forests throughout the country almost unlimited supplies of timber. Many of them thoughtfully left standing large areas of bush, but these without the protection on their borders of smaller trees and shrubs soon fell victims to the storm. “However. that is all of the past.” he said, “and we of the present generation are required to face the position as we find it to-day. “It is proposed to call a conference of all authorities concerned in planting and scenic beautification at an early date with a view to the improvement of scenery in the countryside generally,” concluded his Excellency. “To this end it is my intention to present a cup to the local body which plants the best and most artistic mile of main highway. In England Lady Galway and I have always taken the keenest interest in the planting of trees and the preservation of forests, and we would like you to feel that while we are here in New Zealand we will do our utmost to assist in this direction and to encourage, as far as we are able, the movement known as Arbor Day.”

TREES TO BE PLANTED TO-MORROW

The y-ork of beautifying the grounds surrounding the National Art Gallery and Dominion Museum will be further advanced by the Arbor Day ceremony which is to be held under the auspices of the Wellington Horticultural Society at 2.30 p.m. to-morrow. The GovernorGeneral, Viscount Galway, and Lady Galway, will commence the planting, and they will be followed by the Mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, and Mrs. Hislop, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. E. Parry, Mr. G. A. Troup, representing the Art Gallery trustees, Mr. J. A. Campbell, representing the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. Mrs. Knox Gilmer, representing the Wellington Horticultural Society, and Captain Holm, representing the Wellington Beautifying Society.

At 11 o’clock to-morrow morning a children’s ceremony will be held on the marine drive, near Miramar Wharf. The children of the Governor-General will be first to plant trees, and they will be followed by children from schools in the locality.