ARBOR DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2059, 10 August 1893, Page 12

ARBOR DAY.

(Continued from page 5.) The residents of Port Molyneux celebrated their second Arbor Day on Friday, the 4th. The morning was anything but promising, a slight drizzle coming in from the nort h-east, but nevertheless by 9 o'clock some 20 residents, young and old, had gathered at the cemetery, each one with his spade, pick, or crowbar over bis shoulder, according to the work he had to do. One detachment, under the superintendence of Mr Wjlie, were told off for fencing, as the ground where the trees were to be planted was a new enclosure ; a second detachment, under the superintendence of Mr loglis (gardener), were told off to dig the holes for the trees ; while a third detachment were told off to form the walks in the cemetery according to a plan recently draws by Mr M'Neur. Each party worked with a will, for by 12 o'clock there were four chains of a substantial six-wire fence erected and 75 neatly-dug holes ready to receive the treeß. The workers then adjourned to the school, were a substantial lunch, provided by the ladies, awaited them, and to which they did ample justice. The school ohildren having now mustered were marched to the cemetery, accompanied by their parents and a large number of the young ladies of the district. Although the turn-out was a good one, it would have been still better had it not been for the prevailing epedemic — measles— which have newly broken out in this district. Arrived at the cemetery the real work of the day commenced. The trees to be planted consisted of three-year-old macrocarpas and Finus insignis. Each child had the honour of planting a tree, the ladies also taking part in the work. By 3.30 the trees were all planted, properly staked, and surrounded by wire netting to protect them from injury by the rabbits. The ground where the trees were planted being good, in a few years they ought to beautify and shelter our little cemetery, which although somewhat difficult of access for the want of a proper road, commands one of the finest views in the district— looking to the east, the Molyneux Bay, with its wooded headlands and rocky points, lies at your feet ; looking to the north, you have the garden of Otago, the far-famed Inch-Clutha, dotted over with its many homesteads; whije beyond you h&ve 9, beautiful

view of Eaitangata and the lakes, and to the west you have the Puerua and Warepa, and for a background the dark wooded range which divides us from Glenomaru. After the work of the day had been got through, a bee line was made for the school, where the ladies had an abundant supply of cakes and tea awaiting the children. Mr Wilson, chairman, of the school committee, presided. After all had done justice to the good things provided, the Chairman opened the proceedings with a few appropriate remarks, after which the children sang the New Zealand anthem. Songs were also sung by Misses Crammond and Williams and Messrs T. Cunningham and D. Wylie, and before dispersing the children were liberally supplied with lollies and biscuits, given by Messrs Patersou and Anderson, storekeepers. A correspondent sends us the following account- of- (he proceedings at Furakanui on Arbor Day.— "The Furakanui School Committee made provision for about 100 trees and Bhrubs, consisting of Finns insignia, macrocarpa, laurustinas, escalonias, and other plants of the flowering species, and also an ample supply of refreshments. The refreshments were brought to the ground in a conveyance provided by Mr John Foote, tho secretary of the school committee. The children assembled at the schoolhouse at the usual hour, and thence marched in procession to the ground under the charge of the schoolmaster and mistress. The rendezvous chosen for operations was the school reserve fronting the schoolmaster's residence. Unfortunately the morning was rather drizzly, and the school girls and smaller boys were prevented from partaking in the enjoyment of tree planting ; but the bigger lads, under the supervision of Mr Ross, assisted by three members of the school committee, all worked with considerable energy, levelling,' laying off, and tree planting, the younger ones meanwhile enjoying themselves in the schoolmaster's residence, and no doubt feeling happier for the time being amongst the sweetmeats provided for them than if engaged in outdoor exercise. Miss Johnston, the sohooli mistress, took a very lively interest in the' operations, and had she had her little charges around her it would no doubt have added to her happiness, especially as each of them came prepared with native shrubs, such as flaxes, maples, pepper, and totara trees. The teachers are to be congratulated on the good behaviour of their pupils, who are a credit to them. The planting being finished at an early hour, an adjournment was made to partake of some refreshments, which were dealt out under the supervision of Mrs Ross, who spared no pains in making the repast as enjoyable as possible. Had- it not been for the dampness of the morning, which prevented the children from participating, Arbor Day would have been a red letter day to the juveniles of Purakanui." The Wakatipu Mail states that between 60 and 70 Queenstown boys and girls assembled at the foot of Ben Lomond track on Arbor Day and, under the superintendence of MrMehaffey, head master, trudged up the track as far as the tramway, a little above the snow line ; but, as the ground was found too hard and too much snow was lying about, a retreat had to be made to a nice terrace just below the tramway, which was planted all around with cuttings of poplars and willows. Clumps of cuttings were also distributed along the track at various places ; and, all being well tarred, if the rabbits only let them alone, there should be a fine show in a few years— more especially if a little is done every year to the track, which' would soon lose the bare appearance it at present presents to. the alpine climber.