PLANTING A TREE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 167, 19 July 1935, Page 9

PLANTING A TREE

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATED TAWHERO SCHOOL CEREMONY. “Well ami truly planted” was the verdict of c-nlookers in comim-nding the planting of a tree by the Alayor’e. s, Mrs. W. J. Rogers, in the grounds ot. the, Tawhero School on Wednesday, when arbor Day was celebrated. The tree, , a Spanish chestnut of healthy appear- > unee standing seine seven or eight feet in height, was planted in commemoration of the jubilee of the King and i Queen, for whom three cheers were | given by the assembled children and parents. Prior to the tree-planting ceremony several short speeches were made i' l the big schoolroom, where the children provided for the visitors several much- I appreciated items, including tuneiul • ..lit-songs ami recitations, concluding ! with the Jubilee song, “Here a Health Unto Their Majesties.” A recitation by little Lois Tougher alsoproved a delightful item. In welcoming the Mayor, Air. W. J. lingers, the headmaster, Mr. W. I’. Williams expressed keen appreciation ot tile interest displayed in the school’s gardening activities by the Beautifying Society ami the Wanganui City Council. Un hit, appeal to the children to indicate their willingness to look after any trees supplied a lorest of hands shot up from the crowded seals. Air.

Williams also recalled that it '<as m 4910 that the Beautifying tic-.-iety had been brought into being oy the efforts of citizens who appreciated the value uf trees and shrubs in the life of a city, and urged those present to show their appreciation of such eJTorts by assisting in the good work. Air. Kogers congratulated the teach ers and me chilureu on the genuine desire they had shown to promote the interests of tire School. Tiieir love ol things beautiful had been one of the factors which had enabled them a lew slioiL years to transform what bad uecn almost a wilderness info a beautiful garden spot. The grounds and the surroundings of lire school were a credit to tuc committee members who had inspired them, and should piovu an inspiration to the children themsc.vcs. Hie pioneers in New Zealand, said Air. Rogers, had made the best of conditions as they found them ami* it had ueea found necessary to fell trees and clear the bush oil the land. NOw people weie realising the necessity for replanting trees, j: or that reason Arbor Uay had been inaugurated. “In the days to come,” said Air. Kogers “you children will remember the happy days of trcc-plaiiiiiig and will feel pleased that you have done your share.” “1 am going to- let Air. Rhodes talk to you about trees, for I am going to •'peak fur Hie birds,” said Air. iiope Giobons, president of the Beautifying Society. Air. Gibbc-ns went on to enjoin Lae children to take the best care of the birds in the winter, and they would be rewarded by their sings in tne spring. The Beautifying {Society was particularly interested iu planting trees for the children who would be ihe citizens of the future. Air. Gib boils announced, in conclusion, tuat ' - 11 . U. C. Rasmussen had notified his ' ’‘ation of donating u.j oak trees to c planted in school grounds in cuini i u’inor.itiu-ii of the King’s Jubilee. “1 took an interest in nature study and in gardening when 1 was you.ig and 1 Hive derived a great deal of pleasure from that iu the past sixty vears,” said Air. C. 11. E. Rhodes, who appealed to tire children to keep Arbor Day ideals always befc-re them. “We depend a good deal on you children to help us iu protecting the trees which aa\c been planted. lou will then have had the pleasure of knowing that you have done a gc-od deal for your country, ’ concluded Air. Rhodes. Alter the parly had proceeded outdoors for the tree-planting ceremonv, at which little Luis Tougher assisted the Alayc-ress, the chairman of the bchool Committee, Air. T. S. Russell planted a Spanish oak (quercus Hex) uDi’li he had presented to the school. J he visitors were afterwards eutertaiueo by the teaching staff at afternoon lea.