The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1907. ARBOR DAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3768, 29 June 1907, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1907. ARBOR DAY.

It was in the year 1890 (we think this date is correct), that the first Arbor Day celebration took place in New Zealand. Grey town was the locality and the honour of, inanguating such a da}' belongs to the writer’s esteemed old master, Mr W. C. Nation, proprietor of the Manawatu Farmer, Levin. Mr Nation at that time was editor and proprietor of the Wairarapa’s pioneer journal, the “Standard.” He aroused public enthusiasm, and the affair was a pronounced success ; the band headed a long procession, which included State School children, townspeople, and settlers for miles around. Conveyances were loaded with indigenous trees and shrubs. The south main roads leading to the town were chosen as the planting grounds, and boys and girls and prominent people each planted a tree. The beautifying effects of the work are in evidence today, and did much towards gaining for Greytown the reputation of being the prettiest town in the Wairarapa. If Mr Nation’s career is forgotten in other respects, his name will go down to posterity in this country as the founder of our Arbor Day. Arbor Day this year falls on Wednesday, July 24th. The local Chamber of Commerce has suggested a monster picnic at our seaside resort, where each person will be asked to plant a tree. We hope this splendid suggestion will be carried out.