LEAF, BUSH & BEAUTY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1804, 17 July 1913, Page 7

LEAF, BUSH & BEAUTY.

GETTING IT BACK. MANTLE FOR OUR "BARE HILLS." ARBOR DAY, 1913. The sky yesterday was of leaden liuo and the wind had tlio bite of mid-winter, but the conditions failed to "dull tlio edge of husbandry." It was Arbor Day and, as Arbor Ifay, it was observed and honoured. It seemed that the call of Mother Earth for "clothing" had mado a wide appeal. Contrary to the usual experience, something like a definite system was observed by the schools this year, and also by the suburban beautifying bodies. All had made their arrangements well ahead, and hod been readily supplied with plants and trees by tlio lieserves Committee of the City Council, whicli has shown a much warmer interest in the project this year than over before. Provided now that proper attention is given to the young trees in the way of weeding, watering, nnd safeguarding the saplings during their babyhood, Wellington should reap a rich verdant harvest in the future as the result of yesterday's operations. ■ Round with tho Mayor. Tho Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke), accompanied by Mrs. Luke and Councillor G. Frost (chairman of the Reserves Committee) and Mrs. Frost, mado what might reasonably be termed un grand tour do jardin during tlio day in a motor-car,' by way of lending official recognition to the good work. Tho Mayor and party first visited tlio Kilbirnio School, [where a very busy little "beo" was discovered hard at work tittivating and planting a patch in the school ground. At Roseneatli a Caledonian air waa lent tho proceedings by the fluttering overhead of the big Scottish ensign forwarded to the school by their compatriots at Eoseneatli, Scotland. There the Mayoral party were welcomed by Mr. H. M. Morrison (chairman of the School Committee), and Mr. T. W. Ward (president of tho Rosencath Ratepayers' Association). Wellington's Original "Glory of Trees." Mr. Ward, in tlio course of a speech, reminded those present that, when tho first settlers arrived in 1810, the hills around Wellington wore clothed to the shore in a glory of trees, but successive generations nad destroyed it all, leaving practically nothing but bare hills. What struck every visitor in coming into port was tho barren dfipoaranco of- tho slopes, lie (the speaker) thought that his Worship could not have interested hiineolf in a better work than that of making the city a place of beatity and an attraction to visitors. "Fifty Thousand Trees This Year." In reply, {he Mayor stated that ho waa "merely a figure-head" in connection with tho day's proceedings. Tho work of treeplanting was really vested in the Reserves Committee. Tho council had also, realised tho importance of tlio work by setting up a committee, the work of winch was to attend to the afforestation of the Town Belt, and this year something like 50,000 trees were to be planted. The council fully realised the desirability of creating "the city beautiful," but it was necessary that the publio should assist. And so it would bo for tho young people to assist. In years to como they would be able to look back and reflect with somo prido that they had assisted in making the surroundings of their school belter than they had been when they attended as scholars. The Mayor reminded those'present of the large amount of money that was being expended annually on the Botanical Gardens and the many city reserves. The council, vear by year, spent 10 per cent of its general revenue in maintaining these reserves in order that the city should have as many beauty spots as possible. The wind-resisting taupatoi formed a large percentage of the trees planted in the Roseneath School grounds, in which worlt the Mayor and Mayoress vigorously assisted. At "Section 48." At 11 a.m. his Worship and party nrrived at Section 48 (Kelbume) where' Mr. Georgo . MacMorran (headmaster of - the Terraco School) had mustered a lusty band of' school-bo.v helpers. Hero several of tho City Council employees were present to assist in the planting of trees, which lay about the ground in great profusion, awaiting their ."second time in earth." Tho bare hillside block is to be planted with 13,000 trees, which appears to bo altogether too many for the section, though it would bo an easy matter to thin out subsequently. In his remarks, the Mayor dwelt on the importance of arboriculture as an attribute to a city, and related how tho State of Nebraska (U.S.A.) had been transformed by the initiation of Arbor Day. At Wellington South. Thee-planting began early at tho Ne'jvtown School yesterday. At 9 o'clock, wh6n Mr. Parkinson, the headmaster, and Mr. J. Castles, the chairman of, the school committee, nirived on the scene, they found a working bee of about 20 senior boys and girls, and tho committee on tho job. A fine assortment of over one hundred native shrubs, supplied by Mr. Glen, superintendent of city reserves, and soino 15 rose, rhododendron, and azalea bushes, presented by Messrs. Crcwcs and Patersson were ready for planting. The Mayor and Mayoress, accompanied by Mr. J. Frost, chairman of tho reserves committee, and Mrs. Frost, visited the school at 2 p.m., and were accorded a hearty welcome by Mr. Castle, who briefly thanked them for their attendance, and for tho interest, t'lie City Corporation were taking in Arbor Day this yeaft, and hoped that when tlie day came around next year, the reserves committee would find their trees alive and vigorous. In reply, his Worship drow attention to the benefits educationally attendant on the cultivation and care of trees by tho rising generation. By (lie great interest that was being manifested in Arbor Day, he felt sure that increased interest was being taken ill tho beautification of the City. Councillor Frost also briefly addressed those present. Tho Mayoress then planted a commemorative poliutukawa tree, nnd the Mayor and Councillor Frost each planted an Indian hawthorn, which brought the total number of trees planted up' to 87 for, the day. Tho remainder of the trees on hand are io be planted during tho week. After tho ceremony, tho working beo resumed activities until 5 o'clock preparing tho ground for another tennis court in tho infants' nlavground. The last place to bo visited by the Mayor and Mrs, Luke and Mr. Geo. Frost (chairman of the Deserves Committee) was tho ground of the Island Bay School. There a good deal of work had been dono during tho past day or two by an activc band of workers, who had centred their efforts on planting tho good-sized strip to the southward of the boys' playground, and by sotting a hedgerow of plants alongside tho fence which extends back to tho eastern boundary of tlio school properly. Tho Mayor, Mrs. Luke, and party, were accorded a hearty welcome by Ml'. Shorland (actiiig-chair-nian of tho School Committee) and Mr. C. Haslam (headmaster), and other helpers. In voicing their appreciation of the Mayor's consideration in coming out to the Bay. Mr. Shorland said that thero was a lino healthy oivic spirit among tho people of the Bay, not only among tlio adults, but among tlio children, and that was allied to a spirit of sclf-lielp, which would mean much to Island Bay. Mr. Luke coiutncuded the spirit shown at Island Bay, and the good work which had beffn done in planting that day. Thero wero two considerations to be marked— the establishment of plantations and their maintenance. Means must bo taken to see that trees planted were properly protected, and the earth turned over all round them, so that tho air could fertilise tlio soil. Ho referred to tho inauguration of Arbor Day in tlio State of Nebraska, in 1872, through tho efforts of Mr. Stirling Morton, and tho effect tho planting of trees had had on the climatic conditions of the Stato. Thero was a broader outlook to tho question in New Zealand—that of afforestation. A plan of action must bo pursued steadily to plant trees wherever there was opportun-

ity, if wo wero to preserve the splendid climatic conditions which this country had enjoyed for many centuries. Mr. Luke was IPveil three hearly cheers by the schoolchildren, with supplementary cheers for Mrs. Luke and Mr. G. Frost. Then his Worship,declared an English ash-tree "well and truly laid" (amidst laughter), and called for cheers for the school committee and headmaster. The visitors-weres übscqueutly entertained at afternoon tea. At Brooklyn, At tho Brooklyn School grounds there wore signs of activity throughout tho day. The scholars wero addressed by the chairlnnan of tho School Committee (Mr, M. A. Eobinsou), and after ho had planted a tree, proceeded to do likewise under tho superintendence of their teachers. Mr. liobinson apologised for tho absence of the Mayor, who was busy at other celebrations, but who had asked tho boys to meet him at tho school on Saturday, when ho was desirous of planting a tree, prior to attending tho Brooklyn ratepayers' function, Clyde Quay School., ' On account of tho rocky formation of the school grounds,.nothing in the way of treo planting could bo attempted, ■ but in order to interest tho children, in treo and garden cultivation, the committee decided, in addition to holding their annual flower show in December, to institute a special class for tho bost-kept garden plot in the district. A Bub-coimniU| tee, consisting of Messrs. Harland, Hatch, and Duthie, will make periodical; visits of inspection during tho noxt 6*ii' months, when prizes will bo awarded to tho three best.