TREE PLANTING.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18009, 14 July 1928, Page 8

TREE PLANTING.

AN INTERESTING CEREMONY.

A public gathering, for the purpose of tree'plant.r.g, has an interest peculiarly its own In one of Timaru’s big “breathing spaces,” the Maori Reserve, yesterday mornirg, the first stage of the jubilee day proceedings—tlie tree planting ceremony —-was carried out. The ceremony look place on one ,of the worked-up sections of the Reserve, in tlie north-easaem corner. Amongst, those present were the Mayor and , Mayoress (Mr and Mrs G. J. Wallace), tlie Deputy-Mayor (Mr A. li. Gee), and a number of Borough Councillors. A good many pioneers were- ■ also present, and tlieir happy faces in- . uieated their appreciat on of what was being done. Conspicuous by ina dress was Mr George Bently, one of the bullock drivers of olden days. From a wide straw hat, the band of which was adorned with whip crackers, to a long {lowing dark-blue jacket and cream trousers, the costume was very picturesque. The first tree was planted by tlie Mayor. Before planting it, Mr Wallace said that, although be had planted many trees in his life, there had been on occasion on w-hicli lie had done so with greater pleasure than he had that day. The citizens of Timaru were proud of tlieir pioneers, and their foresight in setting aside ground for recreational purposes, and the work of those who had followed them, and had done their best to further their ideals. They were honoured to have the pioneers with'them that day, and /r , ho lipped they would live long, and J, see the trees flourish. (Applause). .

Then followed planting of the remaining fourteen trees, the trees being set out in the form 1 of a; square. The planting operations were under the supervision of Mr D. .N. Harper Curator of Timaru Park, i At the planting of each tree, ‘the planter made an appropriate little speech, expressing the hope that the. trees would flourish, and the area add . materially to the beautifying and health-giving areas of the borough. • One pioneer remarked : “I did . not think I would live long enough to par- ' ticipatie in such a pleasing ceremony >• It is, perhaps, the most important stage of the town’s history. I hope > the trees will live as long as the town cf Timaru—forever.”

Those who planted the trees were:— The Mayor (Mr G. J. Wallace), Miss Woollcombe, Mr A. H. Berry, Mr Win. Evans, Mr R. Holdgatc, ,Mr Walter Yardley, Mr Charles Hardcastle, Mr R! Morgan. Mr J. Sutherland, Mr J. Holland, Mr Walter King, Mrs T. Baker senr., Mr' G. Bently, Mr J. Hole and Mr W. G. Irwin.

Tho trees planted were of both ornamental and • utility varieties and Included evergreen, oak, spruce fir, purple beech, sacred Indian cedar, New Zealand red birch, English elm, peppermint gum, and Turkey oak. , Throughout the proceedings, camera men were busy, and at tho end of the ceremony, those who had planted trees, were photographed in a group. ; ■ Before the, company dispersed, the Mayor said that'when the trees were grow n to maturity, they would serve to remind future generations of the jubilee, and the men whose early work had made such an event possible.