Arbor Day

Hutt News, Volume 19, Issue 10, 8 August 1945, Page 5

Arbor Day

HUTT CITY OBSERVANCE MANY TREES PLANTED Arbor Day was widely celebrated in Hutt City with a variety of tree planting ceremonies in which school children citizens, members of local bodies and horticulturists took part. A special ceremony took place at the Hutt Hospital where Mrs Knox Gilmer presided over a representar tive gathering that included members of the Hospital Board and staff, members of the Lower Hutt CityCouncil, and horticultural en thusiasts. An oak tree planted in front of the soldiers' ward by Lieut. W. F. N. Gardner, was one grown from the Windsor Park acorns sent to Lower Hutt on the occasion of the Coronation of the King and Queen. Other trees planted were: Flowering Cherries, planted by Mrs. Knox Gilmer, Cr. Hay (on behalf of Mayor and Council, Lower Hutt City), Mrs. Andrews, Mr. W. J. Mr. W. Toomath, Mr. R. H. Parton, Mr. J. Purvis, Mr. V. N. Simpson, Mrs. Smith, Dr. Fogg, Miss Armstrong (matron), Mr. Hutt, Silver Birches: Cr. Hewer, Dr. Fogg, Mr. F. J. Purcell, Mrs. Lonsdale, Cr. Hqrlor. Roses by Mrs. Knox Gilmer, Miss V. Armstrong (matron), Miss E. Pearse (assistant matron), Sister Mitchell, Nurse Hough, Aide Upton. MR. H. J. POOLE HONOURED Another of the Windsor j Oaks figured in a very pleasing during the morning at Rid&ifoi;d Park when Mr. Poole, who will be 90 years of age in September next and has, for decades past been the dozen of Hutt Valley horticulturists, planted a special tree before a gathering of citizens, councillors High School pupils and members of the Hutt Valley Horticultural Mr. Poole was introduced to the gathering by Mr. Norman Gibbons, president of the Society, who referred to Mr, Poples long record of service to all garden lovers. Mrs. J. W. Andrews, on behalf of the Mayor, also paid tribute to Mr. Poole's lengthy service. In a reminiscent speech Mr. Poole briefly traced the history of the Hutt Valley gardens and regretted that the cutting up of the valley into' small sections had also meant the passing of many of those fine old large gardens which in years gone by had been a feature of Hutt Valley homes, and used to attract large numbers of visitors from other parts. • At the conclusion of his Mr. Poole planted the oak tree, using for the purpose a special spade, originally used by Lord bloe for the planting of a cbmm'enorative kauri tree.

Before and after the ceremony the Hutt Valley High School Band entertained the gathering with musical selections, A commemorative plaque is to be placed alongside the "Poole Oak."