ARBOR DAY

Patea Mail, Volume XLIII, 18 July 1919, Page 2

ARBOR DAY

SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS Arbor Day was celebrated at the local school on Wednesday, wdicn the first trees in the Memorial Avenue were planted. Mr. C. H. Fairwcather was in attendance with a supply of trees Avhich he had kindly donated. As the weather was so nnpropitious the whole of the children were not allowed to take part in tho outdoor operations, .vhich were carried out by five of tho older boys under Mr. Fairwcther's

Prior to the tree planting Mr. Hemingway, Chairman of the Committee, explained to the scholars that the avenue was being planted in memory of the boys of the school and their late Headmaster, Mr. Robbie, who had laid down their lives in the Great War. He emphasised the fact that they owed more to their gallant defenders than they could ever repay, and reminded them that but for their efforts the people of the British Empire would not be enjoying the happiness and freedom that was their lot at the present time. He hoped that the evergreen trees they were planting that day would remind them to keep green the memory of the honoured dead. The boys, who took a keen interest in the work, were not long in planting some very fine specimens of the silver tree, red gum and: other trees. A further lot of trees will be planted by the scholars this afternoon if weather permits.