WHANGAMOMONA.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16500, 30 July 1919, Page 6

WHANGAMOMONA.

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July 29.—Arbor Day was duly celebrated at the local school at the close of last week. Considerable enthusiasm was displayed by both teachers and scholars and the grounds made considerably richer by the planting of many of our native trees in suitable places. while the school garden was sin-rounded hv the flowering shrub Buddlca Luilcjaua. it is a pity that tree planting is not more popular with the general public of our country, for thus is the one dav in tint year that children, parents! committee and teachers can unite and do something to improve the school surroundings without asking the hoard for a. grant. It may not he possible for a largo attendance of adults, but the forwarding of a few trees or flowering shrubs would show interest and be an inexpensive means of benefiting posterity, but perhaps that has the same drawback as “casting bread upon the waters.” Many days must elapse before full results are seen. There is an aspect of Arbor Day that although appreciated by teachers is often overlooked by parents and that is its educative value. It is said that the artist and Goth sit-side by side in the child-brain, and if wo do not cultivate tlie artist then the Goth will rule, and that he does rule to a considerable extent is evidenced by the tastes of a largo section of the public as proved by the answer given by picture show proprietors to the protest of the Minister tor Education—the public are given what they ask for. Lot tree planting then ho encouraged as a. means of helping to form good taste and a love of the beautiful, for many die to beauty very early in lito. oven though nearly all had once the power to grow in the love and appreciation of it. The habit of noting the beautiful in form and colour must he cultivated, otherwise the habit of “not noting” is formed and i once past childhood the habit of not noting is often fixed for ever. Certain “Gradgrinds” may say that after all this is not an essential, but even as recently as July 17 the Herald in a sub-loader points out that “education should prepare for much more than making a living,'’ A pair of bell-birds 'wore seen in the native trees close to the river in the school playground on Peace Day. Another was seen last Friday and within a few yards of the interested onlookers ; it twice uttered its beautiful helllike note. It is a very occasional visitor.

The committee of the Whangamomona Medical Association met on Friday evening last, Mr. M. Gcover presiding. It was reported that the Government bad at last paid the account in dispute between the association and the Stratford Hospital Board, viz.. Dr. Paget’s bill for £ls epidemic account. Considerable detail business was transacted and an endeavour made to overcome the difficulties in procuring medical aid for the district.