ARBOR DAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21868, 2 August 1934, Page 13

ARBOR DAY

AUCKLAND CEREMONIES GREAT INTEREST SHOWN EVENT AT WESTERN SPRINGS Arbor Day was widely observed yesr terday by ceremonies in the city and suburbs, organised by the local authorities, and there was apparent a deep interest in the purpose of the event. Large parties of school children at the various tree-planting ceremonies heard addresses emphasising the importance of such an occasion in the national life, and,, apart from very full representatitfhfi of meml>ers of interested organisation«, considerable interest was taken by the public. The Mayor, Mr. G. W.--Hutchison, presided over a large attendance at the Auckland City Council's ceremony at Western Springs, and nearly 50 native trees were plan ted on' an area adjoining the new motor camp. Many organisations were represented and children .were present from the Point Chevalier, Grey Lynn, Mount Albert, Bayfield and Westmere Schools. A Welcome Revival ■ •t, • , The Mayor said he was sure everyone was pleased at the revival of the custom of Arbor Day, which had unfortunately been neglected for a long time. Now the Government had fixed the date of the occasion, and there was a very gratifying degree of interest in the observance. The City Council was particularly eager to plant native trees on its properties, and, during the past three years., excluding the present season, 7500 Now Zealand trees had been planted in city parks and reserves. It was the desire of the authorities that children should take an interest in the growth and welfare of the trees. It might be' wondered, the Mayor continued, why the City Council had selected the area at Western Springs for the • ceremoily. There was a need to beautify the land, which, adjoining the motor camp* ppssessed added importance, as the Zoo, the Western Springs Stadium and the golf links were ncari The Mayor said it was the duty- of the community* to care for trees. ' - _ * f ' ' Wide Variety of Trees Mr. J. B..Paterson, chairman of the Parks Committee of the City Council, said a shelter belt, including eucalypts, white .tea-tree, pines and. kowliai, had already • been planted ,at- the motor camp. The preponderance of the native trees planted would bear honey and berries' which, 'at was hoped, would attract native birds to the city. The trees planted .included, kauri, totaraj-'kohekohe, titoki," pohutukawa, rewarcwa, rimu, k'owhai, karaka, cabbage tree, kaliikatea, gresilina and - tarairq. * t ; r: . .'■ • ;, ' • ? A ceremony at Fowlds Mount Albait, was iargely attended, 'and Mr. R. Feroer, Mayor of Mount- Albert, gave an / stddress on the intentions of the - Borough -Council regarding . treeplanting. _ . •Over".3ooo -children from the three schools in Otahuhu attended the ceremony : in Sturges Park, Otahuhn. A tree ¥sa#slanted by the Mayoress, Mrs-, ii j TV Ctewiente, and "four other trees ■b ere planted "in . memory ;*>£' the four former Mayors of the borough. Ceremonies* were held at a number o£ secondary and primary schools, and, among the local- body observances, the Mount Roskill- Domain Board planted trees at the Three Kings Reserve. A pohtltukawa tree was planted in the Nprthcote primary school ground by the Rev. F. W-. Wilkes, a member of the committee, who is leaving the district.. ; Schoolchildren at Birkenhead planted trees in Harbour View and Palmerston Koads.

lii country centres throughput the province tree-planting ceremonies were held and the importance of the day emphasised.