FUNCTION AT THE PARK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19867, 2 August 1934, Page 7

FUNCTION AT THE PARK

SCHOOL CHILDREN PLANT TREES. Yesterday afternoon upwards of 100 school children from the primary schools, and the Marist Bros., and Catholic Girls’ Schools assembled in the Park, where ceremonies in celebration of the occasion were carried out. There was a fair gathering of the public and representative citizens, including the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs T. W. Satterthwaite), Mr E. Laverty (president of the Primary School Committees' Association), and members of the Borough Council. Addressing the children, the Mayor said that they had gathered to celebrate an event which, for some years past they had not known much about, and that was Arbor Day. He did not know how many pupils present had taken part in a similar event previously, but for the last few years, Arbor Day had not been officially recognised. This year the Government had again set aside August 1 to be known and celebrated as Arbor Day, and it was really a great day for the primary schools. The Mayor said that Arbor Day was started many years ago in America. He did not know the exact reason, but probably it was because England had set an example with her beautiful trees, and America desired to follow her example. However, America had founded Arbor Day, to be used primarily by the schools for beautifying their grounds. That day New Zealand was again recognising Arbor Day, and he hoped that once the trees had been planted, that the children would take an interest in them, and care for them. Trees took many years to grow, and a destructive person could end their existence in a few minutes, but he trusted that the children would see to it that they were protected. The Mayor referred to the ceremony held in the Quarry reserve that morning. and went on to say that the Park they were in that afternoon had, 60 years ago, been covered in tussock. As a result of the foresight of the pioneers, however, it had been laid out as a reserve, so that those who were to come after would have the benefit of its beauty. What they were doing that afternoon was something the children, in later years, would have the benefit of. The Mayor concluded by thanking the masters of the various schools for having brought the children along, and he expressed pleasure that they had such beautiful weather for the celebration. (Applause.) Lesson From Trees. Mr Laverty briefly addressed the children, expressing a hope that they would take a lesson out of the planting of the trees. They should look on the trees as emblems of beauty, he said. Even though a tree might be planted crooked, in later years it would grow straight at the top. They should endeavour to talk and think straight, and live cleanly, and if they did that, they would grow up straight. The School Committees’ Association had for some time been endeavouring to resuscitate Arbor Day, and he was glad that the occasion was again being recognised. At the call of the Mayor, cheers were given for Arbor Day. The Mayor then planted a golden ash tree, the Mayoress a kowhai tree, and Mr Laverty an ash tree, cheers being given for all three. The children themselves were then associated with the occasion, groups from the various schools being given an opportunity of planting a cherry avenue along the south drive of the Park, extending from the deer pen almost to Craigie Avenue. WELLINGTON OBSERVANCE. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, August 1. Arbor Day in Wellington was marked by the planting of Pohutukawa trees in the grounds of the Wellington Girls’ College this morning. In the afternoon Lord Bledisloe will plant a tree at Wellington Boys’ College.