Arbor Day.

Manawatu Herald, 16 June 1896, Page 2

Arbor Day.

A Borough Councillor the other day spoke about observing an Arbor Day in this town. The matter has never been enthusiastically viewed by the residents as the chief planting of our reserves and private properties was done before Arbor Days were invented. The idea of planting and the actual planting we approve most fully, but a great deal of the folly exhibited in other places on an Arbor Day is not satisfactory. Still if it pleases some people there is no reason it should not be observed but little good generally results from it for the expense incurred. However in Foxton we have nowhere to plant except our streets and much can ba said both for and against planting them. In favour, we have the appearance of the trees and the shade in summer. Against, there is the expense of protecting them and the ruin of the road from the sun and the wind being kept off them. In the Main street the business people have always strongly objected to trees being planted opposite their premises though they had not so much objection to their being planted opposite their neighbour's property. Money for planting has to be raised from somewhere and it is unwise simply to use it for spending Bake. If there is a scheme of planting approved by ratepayers let it be carried out, if not let the money alone till it is wanted for some other purpose. We believe if a little interest in the developement of our reserves was shown by Councillors any available money from rent of reserves could be used on them for other purposes than planting seeing that they are well planted. Before entering into this view We believe that all the money that is available should be reserved to plant around the Health Resort at the Heads, as the Commissioner of Crown Lands has promised to reserve a belt three chains wide. This though not in the town is to be under the care of the Borough and a plantation there will be of the greatest value. Should this not be thought well of we think this season should be taken advantage of to level and clay a good cricket patch on the Reserve facing the racecourse, the ground having been laid out to enable this to be done. Just after entering the main gate to the left there is a piece of ground marked off for a Tennis or Croquet Court which needs a little looking to. Should the ground be attended to the Borough might enter into arrangements with the Cricket Club to keep the pitch in order and in time the whole of that piece of ground might become a veritable garden cared for by a gardener, , which would be of much enjoyment to all and of value to the properties in its immediate neighbourhood.