ARBOR DAY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10108, 5 August 1893, Page 2

ARBOR DAY.

CHBIBTCHUECH AND SUBURBS. Yesterday being the day set apart to be observed as Arbor Day, the Government offices in Christchurch were closed, but otherwise a holiday was not recognised in business circles. The morning was cold and dull, and shortly after midday rain commenced to fall, and continued without intermission all the afternoon. In the city itself very little interest appeared to be taken in the celebration, and owing to a number of the suburban schools being closed on account of the prevalence of measles, not nearly so much work was done this year as there was last year. About sixty children from the East Christchurch, school, ia charge of the head master, Mr J. G. L. Scott, went to New Brighton by a special car provided by the Tramway Company. On arriving there they at once proceedel with the work of the day, which was carried out under the supervision of Mr M. Murphy. Last year some 3000 trees were planted in this district, and the majority of them are looking remarkably well. A few of them which were left too long unsecured were destroyed, and these were replaced. The trees planted in St James street are looking especially well. The Avon Road Board had holes dug along the footpaths, in George and Wilson streets, and good soil carted to the spot to fill them in with. Mrs Oram gave 200 trees for planting in these streets, and the children put them in immediately after their arrival. After lunch they went over to the Selwya County Council reserve to the north of the river and planted about 500 pines. The children of the New Brighton school, with the master and some members of the Committee, met in the schoolroom, and after Mr Murphy had given au interesting address on arboriculture, and other gentlemen had spoken, they planted some ornamental trees in the jplayground. These trees were the gift of Mr Sundry. Alter the East Christchurch children had been entertained at lunch the schools joined forces and proceeded to the reserve, where the day’s work was completed, and the Christchurch contingent returned to town by special tram. The Mayor and Councillors of Sydenham met at two o’clock and proceeded to the Sydenham Recreation Reserve at Addington, where a number of useful trees were planted. The Sydenham school children, accompanied by the head master (Mr Baldwin) and some of the Committee, went to the Cashmere domain, near Dyer’s Pass, and planted some three hundred macrooarpas, under the superintendence of Mr Scott, the lessee of the property. The scholars attending the Waltham school met and planted & number of trees in the playground, under the direction of the master and some members of the Committee, but operations were stopped by the rain, and it was decided to finish the work as soon as the weather clears.

Arbor Day was not observed at the West: Christchurch school owing to the amount of sickness amongst the children, but some planting will be done as soon as the school re-assembles. A number of the children of the Eichmond school, together with their teachers and members of Committee, planted a number of ornamental trees in the school ground. At Addington school a number of the children met, and good work was done in ornamenting the grounds. The Mayor of Linwood had declared a half-holiday, and a number of the residents were busily engaged in beautifying the Borough. The children attending the Sumner school planted a number of trees in the playground. The Board of Education having agreed to supply trees to any school requiring them, eighty Committees were supplied with about fifteen thousand trees. LYTTELTON, About 130 of the boys from the fourth, fifth and sixth standards of the Borough school, headed by a brass band, marched around the Sumner road to a site above Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s stores, where some 500 or 600 ornamental trees were planted. The ground had previously been prepared, and holes had been dug for the reception of the trees. A light drizzling rain made matters anything but pleasant. After the planting was over, the boys were marched back to the school, and were provided with refreshments. Before they dispersed Mr S. E. Webb, Chairman of the School Committee, and his Worship the Mayor, Mr J. T. Brice, addressed a few words to them.

NORTHERN DISTRICT. There was no general public observance of Arbor Day at Eangiora. The Presbyterians of the town, however, took advantage of the day to lay out and plant their church ground with ornamental trees and shrubs. The Sunday-school children took an active part in the work, and provided the greater portion of the trees planted. While adults were preparing tbe ground for the reception of the trees the children were assembled in the church, where they were addressed by the Rev P. R. Monro, the Mayor (Mr J. Saneom) and Mr C. I. Jennings on the object of Arbor Day, and the benefits that accrue from tree planting. The ode, “Planting of the Trees," contained in tbe circular issued from the Department of Agriculture was also sung. After the addresses, the practical part of the proceedings was carried out, the Mayor planting the first tree. As a wind-up to the day. the children were invited by the Sunday school teachers to a tea in the church, and after tea an entertainment was held. Unfortunately the weather Jjurned wet early in the afternoon, and prevented many of the young people from attending the gathering. At Southbrook, the school children under the direction of Mr J. Seed, Chairman of the School. Committee, and Mr W. Bean, head master, planted about 700 trees in the school ground. Arbor Day was not observed in Kaiapoi, but the school children were allowed a holiday. GBEEKDALE. At Greendale a large number of the children of the district assembled at the side school about ten o’clock in the morning, where they planted about one hundred and fifty trees provided by the Board of Education. The work was supervised by Mr C. Rudd, Chairman of the School Committee. Several members of the Committee, together with the master and teachers and friends, were present. SOUTHBBIDQE. Arbor Day was observed as a holiday at the Southbridge school, but no apparent notice of the day was taken by the general public. A number of the boys, under the superintendence of tbe head master and several members of the Committee, planted one hundred pines around the school grounds, and, with the visitors and other

children, were subsequently entertained at lunch by the Chairman, Mr C. H, Willie. SOUTH EAKAIA. Advantage was taken of Arbor Day, and all places of business closed at noon. The’ children were mustered at the school at one o’clock and marched to the West Town Belt, where half an acre of ground had been prepared for tree planting. The weather was drizzly, but nevertheless there was a considerable attendance of the; public. Mr Hardy explained the object of the assembly and called on Mr Lyttelton, Chsirmau of the Road and Domain. Boards, who gave a short address on the subject and some good advice to the; children and their elders. He called on Mrs Oxley to plant the. first tree, which ceremony was duly performed, and the Rev J. Holland addressed a few words to the children, after which tree-planting became the order ol the day, and with the assistance of many experienced hands, who! kindly gave their services, some good workj was done. Rain came steadily down, and; it was thought advisable to discontinue; the work. The children, after singing; heartily the National Anthem, were taken; to the school and regaled with tea and! cakes. A number of ladies assisted hr waiting on the children, and cheers ware} given for them, the teachers. Chairman of Committee and the Road Board. The trees planted were oaks, walnuts, chestnuts, sycamores, larches, &o. ASHBURTON. The children attending the Ashburton Borough School planted macrocarpa tree* around the boys’ playground. . TIMAEU. The weather was dull and cold for the Arbor Day celebration ah Timaru, and light rain came on before jthe proceedings were finished. The children of the public school and of the Roman Catholic boys’ school, to the number of about 900 in all, mustered at their respective schools and marched to the town hall and were, then marshalled into a procession,: and reinforced by the Juvenile Odd-i fellows with drum and fife band,' the banners of the various friendly 1 societies being borne by members in regalia. Other brethren and firemen in uniform joined the procession, and the Arbor Day Committee brought up the rear.' A little bunting was displayed in the town. On reaching the park, where holes had been dug and trees laid out in different parts, the children formed a hollowsquare about a spot selected for an oak to be planted by - the The Mayor, Mr A, Sherratt, made a speech appropriate to the occasion, and was followed by Mr J. Hill. The Mayoress inaugurated Arbor Day in Timeru by planting an oak, and was presented by the Committee with a silver gardening trowel in commemoration of the event. The children then marched away in sections to different parts of the park, and selected ones planted trees, under the direction of nurserymen and gardeners,, who willingly gave their assistance. A; canvass of the town had been made, and a considerable sum of money was raised to provide refreshments for young and old, and prizes for sports for the children. The bakers gave liberally of buns and cake batchers gave meat for sandwiches grocers gave tea and sugar, and fruit lollies and toys were also sent in gratis.* There was a great crowd of people at the Park to witness the proceedings. An attempt was made to have the nanal halfholiday shifted from Thursday to Friday to assist the Arbor-Day turn-out, but the tradespeople generally were averse to it. The Mayor in his remarks suggested that local customs should be studied in fixing the date in future. WAIMATIS. Shortly after eleven o’clock the children attending the District High School and St. Patrick's Roman Catholic School, under the superintendence of their teachers, and headed by the Waimate Brass Band, paraded the principal streets of the town and then proceeded to Victoria terrace, where oak trees were planted under the direction of practical gardeners. Each child received a package of assorted sweets. Addresses were given by tbe Mayor, the Rev W. Harris, Mr W. Lundon, Mr D. A. Taylor, chairman of Ihe Waimate School; Committee; Mr Smyth, head master of the District High School; and Mr James Sinclair.

[Per Peers Association.! AUCKLAND, AUGUST 4. Bad weather prevented anything being done in regard to Arbor Day. WELLINGTON, August 4. Heavy rain interfered with Arbor Day, and the proceedings were, postponed. O AMARU, August 4. Arbor Day was duly celebrated to-day. ; About 1000 children turned out, and 860 trees were planted. There was a pro-', cession through the town, with the Garrison Band at its head, and the proceedings, 1 although the day was threatening, were a great success.DUNEDIN, August 4. : Most of the city schools planted trees' on the belt or convenient localities. The' Amenities Society planted a reserve near' the cemetery, bat tho holiday was.only; observed at the public offices and a few mercantile houses. Tbe general opinion is that Friday, or the fourth of the month, ought to be avoided in future.