SPA SCHOOL WILL HAVE BACKDROP OF TREES

Taupo Times, Volume VI, Issue 287, 8 August 1957, Page 5

SPA SCHOOL WILL HAVE

BACKDROP OF TREES

I DESPITE a keen, searching wind, there was an excellent attendance at tlie tree-planting ceremony held at the Spa school grcftmds last Saturday afternoon, Avhich hegan when the Mayor, Mr J. E. Story, planted a liiaple, and the County Commission er, Mr A. H. O'Keefe, a magnolia. - Tlie chairman of the school coinaiiittee, Mr W. L. Haines, in a brief speech thankecl all those who had given itrees, and said it was gratifying tliat the initial appeal for 100 trees had been over-subscribed. A permanent record would l)e kept of all trees planted. Mr Haines said it was intended to protect eacli tree with a frame of stout stakes. All the lioles for over 100 trees had heen dug. and filled with good black soiL TIMELY RAINFALL "I think they have every chance of success," he said. Already 40 plaques | had heen prepared ; they carried the naine of eacli tree and its donor.

The iirst trees wero planted near the southern boundary of the school grounds fianking Spa Road, and the line was continued. On the western boundary and the northern oue were similar rows of trees. That night and again on Sunday rain fel.l, and by Monday afternoon the trees appeared to be in good shape. No fewer than 24 flowering cherries will foiiow the iine of the enibankment whieh begins at the southern end of the grounds, near the niain gates, follow an are round the school itself, and eontinues to the northern boundary of the grounds. In a few years they shouUl provide a delightful haekdrop to the school preniises. GIFT FROM CANADIAN About two nionths before the Olyin]>ic Games were held at Melbourne last year, two Canadian teachers, Miss Thelnia Crighton and Miss .Tane Parrish, of Yancouver, came to Taupo for a lxoliday hefore they went on to Melbourne. They tauglit for nine weeks at the Taupo school and left on November 9. Baek at Yancouver, Miss Brighton heard of ihe school eommittee's appeal for trees, and she asked her aunt, Mrs TJ. Crighton, of Gillies Avenue, Taupo, to arrange the planting of a Canadian * tree, in reeolTectioii of the pleasant tinie she had here. On Saturday afternoon the headmaster, Mr G. IV. Foote, planted Miss Crighton's tree.