TREES AT SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 17 October 1935, Page 5

TREES AT SCHOOL

FRANKLEY ROAD PLANTING.

VISIT OF EDUCATION BOARD.

Extensive grounds improvements to the Frankley Road school at present being undertaken by the school committee were officially inspected by the Taranaki Education Board after its meeting yesterday, a touch of ceremony being added by the formal planting of several native trees. . ' An area nearly an acre m extent nas been leveUed alongside the school, a belt of pine trees planted 40 years ago having been cut down in the process. The selection of the trees was undertaken by Mr. V. C. Davies, whose family’s property the school site originally was, and each of the visitors, local committeemen, teachers and senior scholars planted a tree. The first was planted by Mrs. A. Arden, whose husband planted the original pine trees 40 years ag°- . The names of the trees and their planters were: Kauri, Mrs. Arden; punri, Mr J. A. Valentine (chairman of the board); horoeka, Dr. W. M. Thomson; maire, Mr. J. McAllister; pohutukawa, Mr. F. A. Lee (chairman Frankley school committee), rata, Mr. W. H. Jones; matai, Mr. J. T. Griffin; ake ake, Mr. W. W. Thomson; totara, Mr. H. W Insull (secretary); hauhere, Mr. R. Foggin (accountant); red beech, Mr. C. H. Moore (architect); golden tainui, Mr. L. Taylor (committee member); crimson manuka, Mr. J. Sturgeon (committee member); matapo, Glory Tonge (senior girl); haupara, Ron Jury (senior boy); tanekaha, Miss J. Keightley (assistant mistress); kowhai, Mr. R. J. Thomas (headmaster). . Glory Tonge deputised as senior gin in the absence throuji sickness of Minnie Lander, w’-'ose father and all of whose brothers and sisters had passed through the school. After the 40 pupils of the school'had been lined up in the presence of the ti ee-planters, with whom were Mesdames Avery and Lee, Mr. Davies explained that the trees, which were, tb be planted’ as a memento of the improvements and inspection, had been so arranged that permanent slow-growing species were alternated with quick maturing varieties. He briefly recounted the habits and uses of each tree. In planting his ake ake Mr. W. W. Thomson said his observations had showed him that Taranaki school committees, teachers and children were far more alive to the satisfaction to be gained from cultivating beautiful school grounds than those connected with schools in other districts. Glory Tonge, in thanking the board members for their presence, stressed the pride taken in the school and pointed out that the improvements nearing completion marked a step in the gradual beautification of the school grounds. The importance of tree-planting was stressed by Mr. Valentine in replying, and Mr. Griffin remarked on the excellent work that had so transformed the school since he and Mr. v alentine had visited it as inspectors.

Mr. Jones paid a tribute to the work of Mr. Davies, and the party concluded its visit by inspecting the plans of proposed further improvements.

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