ARBOUR WEEK.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 October 1927, Page 2

ARBOUR WEEK.

PLANTING SCHOOL GROUNDS. A BUSY PROGRAMME. The subject of tree planting and care of the trees Inus made remarkable strides in the short period during which it has been taken up seriously in South Taranaki. The Synie Shield gave the movement a fine fillip, in conjunction with the jilace given to a study of trees in the operations of the Winter Show in Hawera. Mr. Rod. Syme, who has been the moving spirit, has been strongly backed in his work by the enthusiasm and loyal work of the teachers in the schools of the district. This has been reflected in the degree of work done at the various schools. The keenness and enthusiasm of the teachers indicates, generally speaking, the standard of work to bp found and the progress made by the pupils. One feature of the whole scheme is the planting by degrees of all the waste and unused areas in the- school grounds using young trees raised by the children themselves. This will serve to give them an incentive to work when they see their own seedling trees used to make plantations in their own school grounds. It is certain to .create a feeling of pride in realising that they are, as it were, jointly responsible for seeing progress made and put them on their mettle. They are certain to be actuated by a spirit of emulation. Last year there was initiated an Arbour week, during which a programme of work mapped out was completed, at a series of schools. This will be continued this year and, afford an opportunity for fhe children to see all phases of the work of afforestation done at the schools, and each child will be encouraged by allowing him to plant a tree. Mr. Syme will lie accompanied by Mr. MacPherson, of the Government Forestry Department, and at five schools an extensive area will be planted. The programme includes the undermentioned schools: Riverlea on Tuesday, one acre of tire grounds, which lias been ploughed and disced, will be planted with seedlings grown there; on Wednesday, Manaia will be visited and a further acre one was done last year; Thursday will see a half-acre done at Makaka; and Friday will be a very busy day—planting, inspection and presentation at Ohangai in the morning, and extensive planting at Auroa, with presentation later of trophies. With a view to helping the work and adding to the interest it has arranged to have suitable lessons given in the schools before the planting, dealing with the subject of trees. Invitations have been issued to members of the Education Board, and it is expected that the southern members, Messrs. Lees and Eaves, will be present at the Ohangai presentations and probably at Manaia, in addition to representative citizens and members of the Town Board.

At Ohangai the opportunity will be taken to present the Syme Afforestation Shield and also some trophies won in the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs’ farm competitions. The scheme of the Arbour week is attracting keen interest among the teachers and pupils, and there is no doubt it will have a. decided influence for good on the work of afforestation in the schools.