ARBOR DAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1495, 18 July 1912, Page 6

ARBOR DAY.

TOO WET FOR TREE-PLANTING. ' SCHOOL-CHILDREN TO PLANT OK SATURDAY. The unusually wet weather effectually cheeked any celebration of Arbor Day yesterday, and the c-aretully-organised arrangements had in. consequence to be abandoned. The Jlayor (Mr. D.M'Laren), who has taken a lively interest in tho movement, expressed his regret that tho elements had not been more' propitious, bu.t in the face of the howling rain-storm thahwas prevailing, nothing of a practical nature, could be done. He had tried on Tuesday to have the general holiday 'postponed, but the Prime Minister had stated that it was too late to make tho desired alteration. The Mayor is making arrangements for planting to be done by the school-children on Saturday morning, and'the little function which had to be postponed yesterday will take place on the reserve near Victoria Collego on Saturday afternoon. Later he intends to make an effort to form a city beautifying society, which will give continuous attention to the improvement, and beautifying of the city. Tho last beautifying society, it may be remembered, died if inaniition two years ago, after making a brave struggle for existence.

AT MIRAMAR. Though the rain rained and wind blew great guns from the south, tho Mayor of Miramar (Mr. 11. M'Leod), attended by tho Town Clerk, four of'tho council staffj and olio of tho public, attended at Torn Street (Mirnmar North) at 9 a.m., to celebrate Arbor Day by initiating a 'sohejue of street planting . ill the borough. Toru Street is 95ft. wide, and lends itself to planting on both sides, and if the trees flourish it should be one of tho most picturesque Streets in the district in the not far distant future. ■ After- tho Mayor had planted a* hearty-looking' sugar-gum, he and the town clerk (Mi - . Bennett) repaired to tho Miramax State School, Where irom three to six trees wero given to each of the GO scholars present (according to age), and the Mayor fave a brief address suitablo to the occasion. Altogether 500 trees—gums, Norfolk Island pines and palms—are to be planted by the school children in various parts of the district. These are alt hardy, quick-growing, and symmetrical trees, which should in future years ;afford shelter to other varieties of English and foreign trees.

AT BROOKLYN. Dr '~ Couzcns addressed the children at Brooklyn School, saying that Wellington was usually spoken of as tho Windy City, but the Treeless City would perhaps be a more fitting description, destitute as it was of the noble ornaments. England had no Arbor Day, as most of the cities and villages were adorned with public parks ami gardens, and the seaside and inland health resorts were remarkable for the number and beauty of their trees. Trees played a. great part in tho economy of nature, purifying' the air by absorbing and destroying that poisonous gas, carbon dioxide, as under the influence of sunlight it assimilated the carbon and set free the oxygen. Trees were like children, requiring careful attention, and must have abundance of fresh air and light for their development. IBy Teleffraph—Press Association.) Auckland, July 17. Arbor Day was observed in Auckland, a number of school children assembling in tho Domain this aflernoon, and witnessing a.tree-planting demonstration by tho city landscape gardener. Speeches were delivered by prominent citizens.