PLANTING OF TREES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 211, 19 August 1933, Page 5

PLANTING OF TREES

MEMORIAL TO MR HENRY HILL. CEREMONY AT PARKVALE SCHOOL. Another of the chain of trees to be planted throughout the Hawke’s Bay Education Board's district in memory of the late Mr Henry Hill, one time inspector and foremost educationalist in this district, was placed in the ground at the Parkvale School, Hastings, yesterday afternoon. In addition to the asesmblagc of children there were quite a few visitors and members of the shcool committee at tho ceremony, which was opened by Mr N. J. Adamson, chairman of the committee, who said that the late Mr Hill was a pioneer of education in this district, and in a lifetime of service he occupied many positions on various local bodies. To perpetuate his memory it had been decided to plant, trees in the various school grounds, and this was an appropriate memorial for a man who loved nature and in particular New Zealand plant life. “This totara will be regarded as a token of the uprightness and character of the man whom we are now honouring,” said Mr Adamson in conclusion. Following the reading of Psalm 148 by the Rev. R. B. Gosnell, a short address was given by Mr H. R. French, who said that the planting of the tree was a memorial to a public-spirited citizen who gave his best years to the education service of this province. “Like a totara tree, Mr Hill stood to every wind that blew, head toward Heaven, with fibre that endured, clean, true and vigorous,” said Mr French. “One lesson stands out. Mr Hill was an educationalist who taught by precept and example that we must be apt to learn, as long as life endures.” The actual planting of the tree was left to Myra Lonegan and Bernard Mohi, the two school captains, and the

tree was then dedicated and an interesting ceremony came to a close with a prayer by the Rev. E. Nicholls. PORT SCHOOL CEREMONY. An interesting ceremony took place st the new school site, Port Ahurin, yesterday afternoon at 1.30 o’clock, when two puriri trees were planted, one on either side of the Domett street entrance, in memory of the late Mr H. Hill. The pupils of the school assembled on the ground under the headmaster, Mr J. P. Farrell, and teachers. The chairman of the committee, Mr W. G. Ball, intioduced the Mayor who spoke- in warm terms on the life and work of the late Mr H. Hill. Mr C. H. Wilkie, speaking on behalf of Hie old boys, told some humorous experiences of his school days at tho Port. Mr Morse then planted one of the trees, the senior prefect of the girls holding the tree for him. After the tree was planted, Mr Morse appealed to the scholars to proteet it as a tnhI ute to the memory of Mr Hill. The other tree was planted by Mr Wilkie assisted by the boys’ prefect. Mr Farrell gave a short address on the significance of the occasion, and the ceremony concluded with the singing of the National Anthem. Messrs W. Harvey. J. Gleadow. P. S Spiller and W. G. Hav. old hoys of tin, school, and Messrs W. Norman, G. J. Stanford and R. J. McCarthy, members of the school committee were present.