ARBOR DAY

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19835, 26 June 1934, Page 13

ARBOR DAY

SUGGESTION TO COUNCIL PLANTING OF NEW PARK It was reported to last night’s meeting of the Timaru Borough Council by the Works Committee that a letter had been received from the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon J. A. Young) asking if the Council would observe Wednesday, August 1, as Arbor Day. The Minister, in his letter, said:— “This date has been recommended as being the most suitable generally throughout New Zealand for the observance of Arbor Day, and this is confirmed by the replies received to my letter sent out last year. “In view of the national importance of tree planting, it is hoped that every effort will be made to organise suitable celebrations on this day. I am asking my colleagues the Right Hon. the Minister of Railways, and the Hon. the Postmaster-General, whether they will arrange, as was done last year, for officers who can be spared from their respective Departments to be granted time off to enable them to participate in any organised local celebrations. I have also asked the Public Service Commissioner whether he will also again agree to this in so far as officers of the Public Service under his control are concerned. “Where it is found that on account of local climatic conditions the day fixed is deemed not suitable, then such districts are invited to observe such other day as is practicable.” On the recommendation of the committee, the Council approved of suitable celebrations being held, and decided to ask the curator to report upon the methods of observance, and also as to trees to be obtained, and the school committees be asked to assist in the matter of observance of the day. Statement by Mayor. The Mayor (Mr T. W. Satterthwaite), referring to the proposed recognition of Arbor Day. said that he trusted that public interest and enthusiasm would be stimulated in this most worthy object. They had yet to call a meeting of the contiguous local bodies in connection with a tree planting suggestion of the Canterbury Beautifying Association, and an opportunity might be taken to undertake this as part of the Arbor Day activities. He had asked the Curator for comments upon this matter, and he stated: — “The celebration of Arbor Day should become a great national movement to interest young people in the preservation and rehabilitation of bush in scenic reserves, in the preservation of all trees of historical interest or outstanding character, and in the planting of young trees. No action is more worthy c 2 mankind than planting trees provided they are the right kind of trees, planted in the right place. The aim of this movement should be to plant a few trees which are capable of thriving in the district and flourishing for a century or more rather than to plant large numbers of trees such as the common pinus insignis, which reaches maturity in from 45 to 60 years. When this point is considered it w r ill be seen that the initial cost of the good kind of tree is only of secondary importance because it will ultimately be worth more than a dozen of the inferior sort. At the present time native trees are more difficult to procure than are young trees of foreign origin but despite this fact native trees should be given some consideration because we should endeavour to preserve a typical New Zealand landscape rather than attempt to reproduce what is typical of other lands. To this end any planting done in connection with Arbor Day might be carried out in co-operation with the Canterbury Roadside Beautifying Association. Next year it should be possible to arrange for planting to be done by school children in the new Wai-iti Creek reserve.” Cr. W. G. Tweedy said that in England, certain borough and towns planted trees in recognition of the work of former Mayors, and possibly something along these lines could be done in Timaru. It would serve lo remind future generations of those who had given their services to the town. ' The Mayor said that the suggestion could well be kept in mind when a programme was being drawn up. Citizen’s Suggestion. At the request of the Mayor, a letter was read from Mrs L. S. Talbot, in which she referred to a famous garden in England, that of Mr A. Soames, at Sheffield Park, in Sussex. The writer described the garden, and suggested that the new reserve in Timaru would be an ideal spot in which to carry out a similar scheme. The curator had a special knowledge of trees and shrubs, and he could advise as to the choosing, grouping and planting r.f them. The complete scheme, which was set out in detail in the letter, would, in the opinion of the writer, make a beauty spot that would become known far and wide, and might provide an inducement second only *.o Caroline Bay in attracting visitors to Timaru. The Mayor expressed pleasure at the letter, and spoke appreciatively of the interest being taken by Mrs Talbot. On the motion of Cr. Foote, seconded by Cr. Mathers, it was decided: “That the Horticultural Society be asked to co-operate with the Council and its curator in deciding on a scheme for the beautification of the new reserve and in the subsequent carrying out of any scheme that may be adopted.” Appreciation was also expressed oy resolution of Mrs Talbot's interest.