ARBOR BAY AT MOERAKI SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Volume 02, Issue 2420, 2 August 1900, Page 23

ARBOR BAY AT MOERAKI SCHOOL.

Owing to Wednesday being very wet an<3 stormy, Arbor "Day was celebrated on the Saturdoy following. The school children assembled at 10 o'clock, and, under the supervision of, the teachers and committee, helped to take an active interest in the work. The trees round the school had been so well cared for during the past year that -very few had died, and upwards of one hundred and twenty new tree 3 (Macrocarpa, pine and kaio) were planted, and will be a much-needed shelter to the school and grounds in their exposed position. -Every assistance was rendered by those present, including the Natives from the Maori Kaik, to get the work through as quickly as possible, as a continuous gale of wind jiade it difficult to plant the trees on the slopes ai^d hills. An adjournment waa thereafter made to the school, where refreshments were provided, and a pleasant afternoon was spent. The chairman (Mi Dungey) made an appropriate speech, in whicir he explained the origin and vises of tree-plant* ing, complimented the children oifethe care taken of the trees planted on the previous Arbor Day, exhorted them to attend well to those planted that day, and, on behalf of the members of committee, thanked all for their liberal assistance and patronage. The junior pupils,, under Miss Andrew rendered action songs and recitations, and the little Natives several Maori war dances to the unbounded delight of their parents. The senior pupils, under Mr Bell, competed for prizes for the best recitations bearing on the subject of trees and Arbor Day. Arbor Day is always looked forward to with, pleasure at the Moeraki School, and, notwithstanding the weather, all heartily appreciated the day's proceedings. — Pakeiia.