NAPOLEON WILLOWS

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 231, 8 September 1939, Page 3

NAPOLEON WILLOWS

BROUGHT TO AKA BOA IN 1840 A i-eminJej- that the first weeping willow trees ?o he introduced into New Zealand were planted at Akaroa came before the Akaroa centennial committee at its last meeting. These slips of willows were brought to Akaroa in 1840 hv Francois Le Lievre, one of the original French settlers, when the emigrant ship called at St. Helena, and slips were taken from the trees *un Napoleon’s' grave. Mr. \V BrTice. of Wanganui, wrote that la- was sending a cutting of one of these -original willows which had bean plan red at .the Maori settlement known a,s Jerusalem, on the Wangle Uni River. This was taken many years ago from .the Altai on willows, as wei o those along the River Avon in Christ'-liiiroh, - and elsewhere in Canterbury. 'lhe chairman of the committee. Mr. F. Davis, suggested that Mr. E. X. Le Lievre.. son of the original I'Ymiehman who had introduced willow tree's into New Zealand, she: ll hi plant- the Wanganui willow in the old Krone]: eometriy grounds at Akaroa. and this was'approved by the committee.