TREE-PLANTING

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20917, 23 September 1939, Page 9

TREE-PLANTING

CENTENNIAL SCHEME FUNCTION AT LAKE RESERVE HAMILTON NURSES PARTICIPATE The Hamilton Centennial treeplanting scheme, by means of which it is hoped to add to the beauty of the town’s parks and reserves by the establishment of thousands of trees, was opened yesterday when about 120 native trees were planted in the Lake reserve by nurses from the Waikato Hospital. Half of the trees, which included about 60 varieties, were planted in the morning and the remainder in the afternoon. Ideal weather prevailed for the function. The importance of tree-planting in the Centennial plans has been stressed by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, on several occasions, and recently the Waikato Winter Show Association donated 60 native trees to the Domain Board to be planted at the Hamilton Lake by the nurses of the Waikato Hospital. Under the scheme it Is intended that the nurses who did not participate yesterday will be asked to plant trees at a similar function next year. The functions yesterday were attended by representatives of the Borough Council, the Domain Board, the Beautifying Society, the Waikato Hospital Board, Lhe Waikato Winter Show Association, the Waikato Children’s Camp League and the Hamilton Sunshine League. Nurses’ Keen Interest Speaking at yesterday morning’s function, the Mayor, Mr H. D. Caro, thanked the nurses for taking part in the scheme which, in time, should add considerably to the beauty of the Lake grounds. The trees, each of which w r as allotted to the person planting it, would also serve to give the nurses an added interest in the beauty of the Lake grounds and in the celebrations which marked the 100th anniversary of the Dominion. After the ceremony the nurses sang “Trees.” Further thanks to the nurses were expressed by the chairman of the Domain Board, Mr F. A. Swarbrick, when speaking at the afternoon function. The nurses had always taken a keen interest in the Lake grounds and had done a great deal towards beautifying them. A similar treeplanting function was held at the Lake many years ago, said the speaker, and the result could be seen to-day in the fine appearance of the grounds. A tribute to the splendid work carried out by Mr W. H. Paul at the Lake reserve was paid by Mr Swarbrick, who stated that it was mainly due to Mr Paul’s efforts that the people of Hamilton could enjoy such beautiful surroundings. Although he had relinquished his position as chairman of the Domain Board, he had not discontinued his work at the Lake. Appreciation on the opportunity of participating in the Centennial scheme was expressed on behalf of the nurses by the matron of the Waikato Hospital, Miss D. Menzies.