ARBOR DAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3512, 17 July 1926, Page 2

ARBOR DAY.

MESSAGE TO SCHOOL CHILDREN The following Arbor Day message to school children from the Commissioner of State Forests appears in this month's issue of the. “School Journal”: “Dear Boys and Girls, —During the next few weeks, in different parts of the country, you will all he thinking about trees, and in many cases you will see them planted, either in your own places or in the school-grounds. I am very glad to know ihnt you, as young citizens of New Zealand, are making yourselves acquainted, through your school activities, with one of our most important national possessions—the forests —and yon can be assured of my personal interest and encouragement in your endeavours to learn more about our trees and forest life. “The climate of our Dominion is one of the most favoured for the growth of trees, and our aim should be lo place New Zealand in the vanguard of those countries which appreciate, preserve, and increase their forest wealth. “You are doing your part in this Arbor Day celebration, and you have my best wishes for all success in your efforts of to-day, the results of which will hereafter be of vast importance to your country.” “(Sgd!) 0. HAWKEN, “Commissioner of State Forests.” In connection with the above, it would have been a graceful tribute on the part of the Minister or the editor of the School Journal to have informed the school children that the founder of Arbor Day in New Zealand was W. C. Nation, Esq., J.P., of Levin. Mr. Nation initiated t lie movement in Grey town in IS9O when the school children marched in procession to the planting area, headed by a band and followed by vehicles laden with young trees and shrubs. Each child planted a tree which became his or her special care in the years that followed. Each year a committee selected localities for tree-planting, and by this means unlovely spots were beautified and the environs of the locality made attractive. The Arbor Day movement spread to other localities but, unfortunately, for years past, enthusiasm as well as lack of public interest, has waned. Arbor Day could be revived by school committees eo-operateing with teachers and civic authorities in work of re-afforestation. The Minister is to be commended for his attempt to revive interest in Arbor Day among .the school children.