ARBOR DAY
GREYMOUTH’S OBSERVANCE The tree-planting ceremony, in connection with the observance of Arbor Day, which was postponed from last Wednesdav, on account of the weather, was held at. Tainui Park, opposite the Cobden bridge, this morning, there being present, the Mayor (Mr. . Meldrum) and the Mayoress, Cr. A. H. McKane (Chairman of the Reserves Committee), Mr. F. H. Denton (Town, Cleik), Mr. R. Cooper (Superintendent of Reserves), and about thirty pupils from The Technical High School, under Mr. E. L. Kehoe and Miss T. J. McDougall. An apology for absence was received from Cr. F. F. Boustridge. The Mayor said that the idea of the tree-planting ceremony in connection with the observance of Arbor Dav was to beautify the Park, Which was a cheerless-looking spot a few years ago, but which, in the course of a few vears promised to become a beauty spot. The main reason why Arbor Day should be observed was that at cue time New Zealand was covered by bush, but when the farmers got on to it. the bush was cut down and replaced by grass, although this was not so noticeable on the West Coast as in other parts. Consequently there was an effect on the climate, and when it rained, flooding occurred, as, although iho hush attracted rain, it also held
it, and prevented a rush of water intb the rivers. In America tremendous effects had been felt through the clearing of forests. Not only had there been an increase in the flood damage, but the land which had at one time been covered by forests, had.i in the course of years been denuded of surface soil. Fertile land had become desert, through the policy of bearing the bush. Therefore, it was most, important that the growth of trees should be kept up. There were ether reasons, also why trees should be planted. They were beautiful to look at, had equable effect on the climate and there was also their use for timber. He trusted that the children present would all help to beautify the Park, and when the trees that they planted grew up, they would feel that they had had a hand in it. Cr. McKane said that the planting of trees was part of the children’s education, as it was one day in the year that they were brought together with a view to encouraging them in the care and attention to tree life, as, cn the West Coast we saw so much tree-life that -we were liable to become lax. That day they were to plant a row of Veronica or Koromiko trees, which were just a year old, and had. been grown from tiny slips in the Borough nursery, an example of what could be done with our native hush. It was anticipated that, within a year or two the trees would be four or five feet high and lend themselves to beautifying the park. At last year’s ceremony he had stressed the necessity for care of the trees, and he would draw the attention of the children to one of the trees in the Park, which had grown the best of all. Someone had foolishly taken the centre out of it, ruining the tree so that it would have to be replaced. It was not necessary to handle or break the tree to admire it, and it was their duty to see that trees were not damaged in the future. He was sure that it was worth while to see the trees grow to maturity, and it was the duty of the children, not only to watch over the tree that they would plant, but others, and see that there was no destruction by other people. The Mayoress then planted the first tree, a flowering cherry, and was followed by the children, who planted about fifty trees and shrubs, of different varieties, under the supervision of the Borough reserves staff.
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Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1936, Page 12
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654ARBOR DAY Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1936, Page 12
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