ARBOR DAY IN LEVIN

Chronicle (Levin), 7 August 1947, Page 4

ARBOR DAY IN LEVIN

Children Take Hajor Paii in Ohservance Nearly 75 per cent of the boys and.girls who planted the 24 trees in Cambridge Street on Arbor Day last year were present at yesterday's ceremony, at which they were shown how their trees had grown and were afforded the opportunity of giving their trees some care and attention. These trees, which were donated by the president of the Levin and Districfc Beautifymg Society, Mr. A. W. Parton, will form a cherry avenue when fully developed. , ,, Mr, Parton spoke highly of the work done by the children during Arbor Day ceremonies, and under the supervision of their teachers during the year. "I. am very proud Of these children, who have come back today to tend the trees in the cherry avenue," said Mr. Parton. "We in the Beautifying Society visualise the triangle in Cambridge Street as being, one day, a lovely garden, complete with rose beds, paddling pool, seats, trees, shrubs and flowers, and a thick dwarf hedge to screen the railway line." In ti'me the triangle formed by the railway line on one side and Bath sand Kerit Stre.ets on the others would become a complete garden, explained Mr. Parton. It would be the same as the Esplanade in Palmerston North on a small scale. - On being asked what he thought of the work he was doing, one small boy, Rowan Alleh, said. "I am going to come here every year to see how my tree is growing." Other remarks made by various children showed how proud they were of their trees.'T think my tree has done as well as any of the others," said Maurice Wong Shee, who was industriously cleaning out some weed's. Hinga Williams, a very small Maori girl, said: "I have the last tree in the row, but I think it is the nicest." One young boy was very proud • of the fact that his tree would flower in the spring, and at one time was busy counting the buds on it. During the morning a ceremony was held in which the children from the Levin Primary' School, the Levin Convent School and Horowhenua College took part. The Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekin, addressed the gathering of children, teachers and public, and gave a brief explanation of the purpose of Arbor Day. As the day was so cold, the speakers made their speeches very brief. Mr. Burdekin called on Mr. Parton, who stressed the fact that it was for the younger generation to help New Zealand regain her old beauty by planting as many native trees as was possible. Mr. Parton then asked the Mayor and,.. Mayorqss, AtoiU plant thqfir^t trees. In all twelve trees were planted, all of which were the native haupiri or Panax lessonia. These trees are in Salisbury Street and will be cared for by the Borough Council. ■