ANZAC AVENUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 19960, 20 September 1918, Page 6

ANZAC AVENUE.

TREE-PLANTING CEREMONY,

GOVERNOR-GENERAL'S SPEECH. Tub tree-planting ceremony to commemorate the construction of the new eastern city traffic outlet—Anzac Avenue— place yesterday. The scena of the planting was at the corner of Lower Symonds Street and Waterloo Quadrant, opposite the Supreme Court, where the excavation necessary to afford a proper road alignment has caused an embankment to 03 made on the side of the road next Government House. The embankment has been grassed on those portions where it is not intended to plant trees. An additional interest was given to the ceremony by the presence of the Governor-General, who himself planted two purhi trees opposite one of the entrances to Government House. Representative scholars of the city and suburban schools also planted over a score of trees. A very careful selection of trees had been made by the city parks Mr.. T. E. Pearson. The choice fell principally' on several wellknown natives of New Zealand, bnt there were several tropical shrubs of handsome appearance indigenous to Australia, Southern California, and Mexico. When the trees are in a state of medium or fall growth they should present a fine sight. '.'here was a large attendance of the public. The Governor-General was accompanied by Captain Millton, A.D.C., the Mayor, Mr. J. H. Gunson Mr. H. D. Heather, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board ; members of the City Council, and municipal officers, the Hon. G. J. Garland, M.L.C., and Mr. E. C. Purdie, member and secretary respectively of the Auckland Education Board. When His Eicellency made his appearance he was heartily cheered. The Mayor said the citizens were delighted that the Governor-General had found time to take part in the ceremony. His Excellency said that he had official engagements in Christchurch and Dunedin, and he intended to _go to those places at once. It was impossible for Her Excellency the Countess of Liverpool to perform such rapid travelling, much as she would have liked to have been present. He was exceedingly glad to see the school children taking part._ Some day they would occupy the leading positions in the business life of the city and the surrounding districts, and as the future citizens of Auckland they were present to commemorate the carrying out of a definite improvement to the city. The new Anzac Avenue should prove to be of general utility to the community, and it was a part of the scheme for beautifying the city. His Excellency expressed the opinion that it was a pity more had not been done to preserve the natural scenery of New Zealand. It was not ■possible to prevent the destruction of some scenery, because the country must bf- cleared to facilitate production. Ho thought that in any tree-planting scheme cousideratioi should be given to English trees, becau> i that in itself would form a link between the Motherland and the Dominion. If. however, English trees would not flourish in this country, it was little use planting them. His Excellency's announcement that the school children were to be given a holiday for the remainder of the day was received with cheers by the juveniles. The Mayor drew attention to the word "Advance," which formed part of the city's coat of arms, and ho expressed tho hope that the children would always advance in their school and business life.

At the call of the Mayor, three cheers were given for His Excellency, and the planting was then carried out. Pupils attending the following schools took part: — Newmarket, Normal, Nelson Street, Bayfield, Richmond West, Beresford Street, Epsom, Ponsonby, Richmond Road, Rerauera, Napier Street, Meadowbank, St. Patrick's, St. Benedict's, St. Columba, Vermont Street, St. Joseph's, Parnell, Grafton, and Newton East.