ARBOR DAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 1838, 13 August 1895, Page 3

ARBOR DAY.

A correspondent writes : — \rbor Day at Woodbury was observed on Thursday last as a festival. At an early hour the school children assembled with flags and banners, and having been reinforced .by. the pupils of the Orari Gorge School, a procession of over 100 children started off, singing lustly " The British Grenadiers." Arrived, on the ground,' Mr Webb addressed the assembly on the purpose intended by the celebration, enlarging upon the benefits to the district and the colony hereafter by faithfully carrying out the intention of the Government with regard to the planting. More' music followed, and then a few trees were planted, b.iit on account of the late hard frosts, it was found necessar^ to defer tins work until the ground .softened. All now adjourned to the suhool, where ample provision had been prepared for theirentertainmeht. About 130 children and over 100 adults aat down to an excellent repast. While this was m progress an incident happened which gave much pleasure, because of .thekind thoughtfulness shown thereby. A telegram was received from Mr Flatman, M.H.R,, wishing the/C hildren of Woodbury " success m their work. Cheer upon cheer for Mr Flatman followed, and a return message" was sent thanking him for his kind wishes. Games followed for a while, and then a second adjournment was made to the school where a ceremony of a pleasing and kindly nature took place. This was the presentation of an address and a collection of books to Miss Fifield, who has recently been, promo ted, after seven years of faithful service at Woodbury. The day being now well advanced a final distribution of good things was made, and with cheers and the singing of the National Anthem. Arbor Day was over. A dance m the evening for the young people brought a long day of pleasure to a close.